Trent Lott Should Resign - David Horowitz

FrontPage Magazine - David's Blog ^ | Dec. 11, 2002 | David Horowitz

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Trent Lott Should Resign

The revelation that Trent Lott made a similar remark about Thurmond's segregationist presidential campaign twenty years ago comes as no surprise. Desegregation was the most important domestic event in Lott's lifetime, especially because of his role as a leading politician in what was once the most segregated racist state in the union. If he was oblivious to the implications of his outrageous remarks at Thurmond's party, that is reason enough for him to step down as Republican leader in the Senate. The stakes are simply too high to allow this kind of political stupidity (which is to put the best spin on it) to pass without consequence. It is bad for the Republican Party and for the country.

That said, one should not let the hypocrisy of some members of the Black Caucus go unnoticed. California congresswoman Diane Watson, former State Senator and former ambassador to Micronesia is one of those calling for Lott's head as though he were a dedicated racist. Watson is infamous for attacking Ward Connerly's interracial marriage on racial grounds. This would be hypocrisy enough. But she is also indebted to Trent Lott for making her ambassadorship -- which was blocked by the opposition of her hated (or should I say hateful) colleage Maxine Waters (the antagonism is personal not political). With Watson's appointment in limbo because of Waters' opposition, Lott intervened on Watson's behalf to make her appointment possible. This episode makes Watson a prime candidate for the Jean Carnahan award for graceless ingratitude.

Here's a comment from a Republican reader:

Senator Lott's apology was disingenuous. He talked about "discarded policies" of the past--not wrong policies. He speaks in code; he antagonizes blacks with his transparent longing for the ante-bellum South. I don't think Senator Lott is a racist, and I do think the Black Caucus is vicious and hypocritical. But Trent Lott as majority leader spells disaster for the politcal future of the Republican Party.

Kathleen

[M Kehoe]

I can only wish that the Pubbies in the Senate elect someone other than Lott as majority leader. Imho, he has no spine.

Having said that, the hypocritical democRATs can go pound sand.

5.56mm

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

I don't know about spines but most people commenting on this issue are nothing but media's little echo chambers.

Stop echoing and start thinking. Or not.

[Poohbah]

Sure you can. It's not that he's a racist (which is debatable, after all), it's that he's an idiot--this is only the LATEST manifestation of same.

[The Great Satan]

Leave Lott in leadership, and you energize the Democratic agenda through 2004. Get him out of leadership now, he'll be "Trent who?" in less than six months.

Exactly. Plus, it's a necessary housecleaning, and more than timely with dinosaurs like Thurmond and Helms on their last legs. Plus, Lott is a pathetic "leader," regardless of any segregationist baggage he brings to the party. It's a short-term hit -- which we can't do anything about anyway, coz Chester's his own man, and he screwed the pooch already -- but it's a long-term win, potentially.

[cmsgop]

The Peoples Front of Judea ????

[F16Fighter]

"I think there is a common-sense answer to this whole dilemma... Where no offense is meant, no offense should be taken. It's as simple as that."

Unfortunately "common sense" is trumped by politics. In this case the Dems smell GOP blood. They are going in for the kill and the GOP will be happy to toss Lott in like chum. We are literally at war -- make NO mistake about it.

[cynicom]

Cousin....

Remain where he is....I wanted Lott gone, years ago, however, we should not forget one thing, if he were a democrat there would be no firestorm. The dems and media are the real hypocrits.

[ApesForEvolution]

Hey, hey,
Ho, ho,
The Vacant Lott
Has got to go!

Hey, hey..

[bybybill]

Some of you are amazen. First of all, Lott is the majority leader because HIS FELLOW REPUBLICAN SENATORS, the people that know him the best, keep electing him. GWB would get rid of him in a NY minute if he thought Lott was harmful. Finally, imagine trying to lead the R`s in the Senate.Got to be easier to herd cats in the dark.

If Lott is tossed, the Rats will have won. Time to move on.

[ApesForEvolution]

We don't know..he wouldn't clarify his remarks. Go figure.

[ApesForEvolution]

I resemble your post..LOL! He was on thin ice, now he punched a hole through it and the agenda should go into the water with him? Yeah, right...

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

You may have already earned 150 points.

[ExpandNATO]

I just want to know what he meant by "all these problems" that we could have avoided if Thurman was elected President.

Forced busing = the process of putting white children on buses to achieve a racial proportion pleasing to liberals.

[ApesForEvolution]

Many conservatives agree with you. Lott ran into the goal post taking a victory lap and now a new Leader, along with the entire conservative base, America and the GOP will be better for it.

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

I just want to know what he meant by "all these problems" that we could have avoided if Thurman was elected President.

Look around. Do you like what you see?

[ApesForEvolution]

Hey, hey,
Ho, ho,
The VACANT Lott,
Has got to GO!

[ApesForEvolution]

"What you're missing is that the press is not friendly to conservatives."
This is a newsflash??

The liberal press ought to be reminded of the "minor" infractions of one Bill Clinton and how they and the Democratic Party ignored all but the obvious...

The GOP should COUNTER-ATTACK..."

Which was a position we were in before the dunce opened this can of worms...and we will be again when he's just another senior Senator.

[ApesForEvolution]

I agree wholeheartedly.

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

This from a 'no longer Republican':

Not too many people believe that the institutional GOP has any spine left. Apparently the 'rank and file' don't either.

[MattinNJ]

Time to steal a page out of the Rats playbook-It's wag the dog time. Bush better blow something up quick. While everyone is cheering the sight of muslims roasting over an open fire, Lott can nobly resign his leadership position. He must keep his Senate seat as Mississippi has a Rat Governor.
I have more sympathy for Lott then most Freepers. He seems like a decent fellow and keeping Chaffee, Snowe, etc...in line must be like herding cats. That being said, the cold, hard, and brutal fact is that he is now a political liability and has reversed some of the gains the Pubbies were making with the minorities. Sorry Trent-be a man and take one for the team. This nation is fighting an undeclared civil war against the socialist swine and we can't afford to have you around.