WHO WILL LEAD THE SENATE?-GOP Leaders Discussing How/Who Calls for Lott to Step Aside

The American Spectator ^ | Dec. 11, 2002 | The Washington Prowler

[ewing]

Republicans on Capitol Hill and conservatives in Washington and around the country are discussing how best to call for Trent Lott's stepping aside as Senate Majority Leader.

According to a knowledgeable Senate source, GOP members of both houses are extremely concerned that Lott's comments have so derailed the momentum gained from the 2002 elections that it would be impossible come January to make numerous confirmations for the executive branch, begin planning a legislative agenda that includes accelerating the Bush tax cuts and pushing through a prescription drug plan for seniors.

Even more upsetting to Republicans is that realization that Lott's comments may make it virtually impossible to bring a number of potentially controversial judicial nominations to the Senate floor successfully.

[sinkspur]

He can wait until Haley Barbour can name his successor.

I see. And you're absolutely certain that Haley Barbour doesn't have some "segregationist" stuff in his past? Did he ever belong to an all-white country club?

The Race Machine is ginned up and in high gear. Nobody's safe.

[Walkingfeather]

YES I agree.... give a man enough rope to hang himself... no pun intended.

[Cicero]

I hate to bow down to this kind of hypocritical blackmail, but we all would prefer a different majority leader anyway. We need Trent Lott in the Senate, but let's get someone in the leadership position who won't bend over for the clintons every time they flash his FBI file.

[aristeides]

When he does step down the republicans should demand that Byrd gives up his seniority position on the budget committee for his use of the n-word. It makes me sick to see some of the reporters who ignored Byrd's outrage totally talking about this.

When Jeffords jumped, Byrd became president pro tempore of the Senate, thus fourth in the line of succession to the presidency. He still is, until such time as the Republicans officially take control of the Senate, which may end up not happening now. If the result of this Lott flap is to return majority control of the Senate to the RATs, Byrd will continue to be president pro tem, fourth in the line of succession?

Given his history, why can't that be made an issue?

[Coop]

I think Clarence Thomas should be the Majority Leader!

[OldFriend]

Once again the media is pulling our chain and we are going willingly. What a shame.

[samtheman]

In other words,our society has been so clintonized that words that offend can get you canned and actions that are truely offensive,to the Constitution,the memory of the Founders,and everyone who ever fought for this great nation are overlooked.Scary.Where and when does it end?

Look, John, now is not the time to cure all the evils of our society and fix everything that's broken all at once. Sure PC is bad.... blah, blah, blah...

Can we focus for a moment on what is important right now?

Like marshalling our razor-thin majority in the Senate to get some good work done?

Like shepparding a few important judicial appointments past a vicious filibuster-prone RAT mob in the Senate?

Don't you care about any of these things? Don't you care about Bush getting what he needs to govern with a minimum amount of effectiveness?

Please, spare us the lectures on the "state of society". All of us here know the ABC's of American Political Distress.

The key thing now is to get some important work done. And that requires effective leadership in the Senate.

[Steve_Seattle]

"When the foibles of Clinton were exposed, the entire Democratic Party defended him."

Yes, and they got away with it because they had a sympathetic media on their side. Moreover, Clinton's "foibles" were sexual, and the Dems succeeded in turning that around and making Kenneth Starr, the "sex-obsessed prude," the "right-wing religious zealot," the bad guy. There is no way the Republicans can spin this to make Lott's critics the bad guys, and any talk about Senator Byrd's former KKK affiliations will fall on deaf ears. Lott is quite simply a dumb-ass for putting himself and the Republican Party into this position.

[RckyRaCoCo]

The last time he was majority leader he acted like he didn't want the job. Perhaps he just found a way out again.

[twyn1]

If Lott steps down as Majority Leader over this incident...do you really think that the race baiters and their Dem puppets will "allow" him to remain in the Senate ?

The Democrats want to get control over the Senate no matter how they do it -- the Mary Landrieu (sp?) win In LA has emboldened them -- did you HEAR Daschle the other day -- he thinks the Democrats have a MANDATE because of her win ! They will scream bloody murder until Trent resigns as Senator, and have a Dem. governor appoint a Dem. in his place -- now the Senate is 50-50 again -- back to power sharing -- no judges appointed -- no Supreme Court appts. -- we'll have to ask the U.N. for permission before we blow our noses. And before we know it -- McCain or Chaffe will jump!

If Pres. Bush loses the Senate - he could easily lose the presidency in 2004 -- President Hillary, here we come !

[sinkspur]

I hate to bow down to this kind of hypocritical blackmail, but we all would prefer a different majority leader anyway.

You hate it, but you'll do it anyway.

What the hell kind of principle is that?

[Coop]

Clinton's "foibles" were sexual

Well, I see your brainwashing has been completed.

[Mia T]

Nickles is affable, smart, telegenic, communicates well and has guts. In short, he is just about perfect...

[ewing]

That is the real issue here, no way we can get 2-3 Conservative Supreme Court Nomiations through if this Lott thing is still going.

And that doesn't even count the backlogged Judical Appiontments that are aleady waiting..

[clintonh8r]

That feather thing is so gay!

[1L]

The double standard here is absolutely breathtaking. And the Republicans are scared? What a bunch of wimps.

While I wish Lott were not majority leader, if Republicans succeed at getting rid of Lott now, they will be doing exactly what we have all criticized Lott for doing: giving in when the heat gets turned up.

He misspoke. He apologized. Get over it.

[hopespringseternal]

Free Republic wants its pound of flesh from impeachment.

Just one of the more notable items in a long list.

Lott is handling this wrong, I believe. He should be in front of the cameras and on all the shows loudly proclaiming that he is not a racist and apologizing for doing stupid things.

His bunker mentality is just giving his enemies a target to shoot at and letting them interpret his words as they see fit.

[ModelBreaker]

On racial issues, Republicans have to be like Caesar's wife. Dems can say and do almost anything (eg Robert Byrd) but we cannot. Of course there's a double standard. Get used to it.

I can't say that I mind losing Lott as majority leader. This is as good a reason as any to let him go.

[Comanche]

Seek help immediately! Kay Bailey is widely known as Senator Air Head. (I think) She could'nt lead a cookie sale. Out with Lott, even thou I agree with him. Nickles is the way to go.

[Agent Smith]

Bill Frist would be a superb choice. It would be quite ironic if Al Sharpton et al finally send Chester, the Cheerleader Lott, back to the back benches of the Senate where he belongs.

LOTT = LIABILITY

DUMP CHESTER NOW!