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Trent Lott Should Resign - David Horowitz
FrontPage Magazine - David's Blog ^ | Dec. 11, 2002 | David Horowitz

Posted on 12/11/2002 3:03:47 PM PST by 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


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To: copycat
True.

By the way, wasn't Lott just referring to Thurmond's emphasis on States' rights when he said he admired him?

41 posted on 12/11/2002 3:44:18 PM PST by what's up
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To: krodriguesdc
wasn't it john kerry who in the 90's said something to the effect that Jesse Helms should be shot? does anyone remember that?

I apologise the exact quote that I am thinking about is attributed to kerry but it was, "...the Secret Service is under orders that if George Bush is shot, to shoot Quayle."

42 posted on 12/11/2002 3:49:14 PM PST by krodriguesdc
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To: MadIvan
I thought he was weak during impeachment, "Sell Out" showed he was downright criminal. Lott getting the boot on the basis of being stupid is not ideal, mind - but it's better than him remaining where he is.

But what other way could it have happened? When he was in college, he was a chearleader for the Ole Miss Rebels. This incident makes him a Rebel without a clue.

43 posted on 12/11/2002 3:49:20 PM PST by Paleo Conservative
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To: JohnGalt
So offend the South, to please the New York Times editorial board? That's good thinking.

Your sarcasm is well placed. It is absurd to even suggest dropping Lott at this moment in time. Frankly, I agree with those who point out that he has been wishy-washy and often ineffective. But in the face of this vicious attack on Lott because he dared to praise the most consistently Conservative Senator in recent decades is patently outrageous. People need to stop and catch their breaths, and look at what is being done here:

The Left has launched one of their typical, apparently hysterical, but actually carefully calculated efforts to push America to the Left, without ever even debating the issue on the table. We are being treated to the typical ex cathedra pronouncements. We are seeing the typical raised eyebrow, the supercilious disdain, the sanctimonious pretense of the moral high ground. But no where do they dare to debate the actual issues before the American people, when Strom Thurmond ran for President in 1948. We are just supposed to kneejerkedly assume--because they belligerently demand that we assume--that Strom Thurmond was wrong, and that anyone who suggests that he was right, must be driven from American politics.

Well, Strom is now over 100, and is retiring from the fray. But those Conservatives, who think that Strom was wrong--so very wrong that it is an unforgiveable sin for anyone to even suggest that he was right--need to at least acquaint themselves with the issues. Because it was Thurmond--and not Truman or Dewey (and certainly not Henry Wallace, who ran on the far Left)--who took the stands that were by far the most consistent with the overall Conservative philosophy. And the Left is making fools out of Conservatives, who will jump through hoops to distance themselves from values they actually hold sacred.

The principal reason that Thurmond led a revolt from the Democratic Party in 1948 was about freedom and the preservation of a predictable Constitutional heritage that put freedom first. It was the same reason he again revolted in 1964, to lead many Conservative Democrats into the Republican Party, in support of Barry Goldwater. It was the same reason he insisted ever since, that Republican Presidents appoint more Conservatives to the Federal Judiciary. (It was Thurmond, more than any other man in Washington, who has responsible for the gradual improvement on the Federal Bench, since 1969.)

The major "Civil Rights" issue in 1948, was whether Washington should be allowed to dictate employment practices to private employers across America (F.E.P.C.). How can anyone suggest that Lott needs to apologize for supporting Thurmond in opposing such Federal dictation? 16 years later, when Lyndon Johnson finally rammed the proposal through, the Conservative Republican candidate for President--Strom Thurmond's good friend, Barry Goldwater--also opposed the Socialistic measure--as do I. (For more on the specific issue, see "Civil Rights" vs. A Free Society.)

But no one is actually debating the underlying issues. They are simply buying the Leftist smear of Thurmond--when we should all be honoring him--on the pretense that Lott has done something terrible in praising his lifetime of dedication to Conservative and Constitutional values. It does not take a lot of analysis to understand the corner that those Conservatives, who are in a panic over this, are painting themselves into.

For the love of common sense, we need to say to those who are parrotting the enemy, "Snap out of it!"

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site

44 posted on 12/11/2002 3:49:25 PM PST by Ohioan
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To: A Vast RightWing Conspirator
Lott's numerous and informed supporters


45 posted on 12/11/2002 3:49:53 PM PST by mac_truck
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To: MadIvan
I've wanted Trent Lott's head on a platter ever since I read David Schipper's "Sell Out". I thought he was weak during impeachment, "Sell Out" showed he was downright criminal. Lott getting the boot on the basis of being stupid is not ideal, mind - but it's better than him remaining where he is.

That is a great point and I totally agree. I think the quicker Lott gets the hell out of there, the sooner the Left is out of the headlines for this sort of crap. I think Lott has been extremely weak as Leader, and remember, he over compromised with Daschole last year when Bush took office. I think PR wise, the best move is for Lott to be out.

46 posted on 12/11/2002 3:49:56 PM PST by BUSHdude2000
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
So much for Free Speech!
47 posted on 12/11/2002 3:56:36 PM PST by LiteKeeper
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To: LiteKeeper
Lott has the right of Free Speech.

He also has the responsibility to deal with the opprobrium that his stupid, ill-thought speech has earned him.

48 posted on 12/11/2002 3:58:07 PM PST by Poohbah
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To: MadIvan
I think we are all talking about him resigning merely as Senate Majority Leader, not as a Senator.

Oh, absolutely...the Dems. want him out, of course. It's only slightly about race. Like most everything re. the left - this is mostly about politics.

The south kicked the Dems. where it counts on Nov. 5th and black conservatives - and even Dems - are seeing the sleazy con artists behind the Hollywood make-up and divisive (..fearmongering, hypocritical) talking points.

49 posted on 12/11/2002 3:59:26 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl
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To: krodriguesdc
but you know what - the dems have been playing this card for years and they are now in the minority...

they are really hurting themselves with this...

You are right. And the proper response for the GOP is not to cite past examples of Byrd's or Hollings' or Al Gore, Sr.'s missteps and whine, "hypocrisy, hypocrisy".

The proper way to handle this is to stand up, say "we've apologized and that's all we have to say about it--there will be no resignation--we're moving on".

To continue to apologize or draw moral equivalencies is a waste of breath.

Remember how Bush dispelled the DUI story. He admitted it, acknowledged it as a mistake and said I'm not going to play the politics of "gotcha". And that was the end of it.

50 posted on 12/11/2002 4:00:53 PM PST by randita
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To: Ohioan
People are twisting his understandable statements to push their agendas. The Republicans will regret his ouster on these terms.

Everyone with half a brain knows Lott was praising Stroms Pro States Rights position and dedication to the Constitution.

Segregation never even entered his mind.
51 posted on 12/11/2002 4:04:17 PM PST by CyberCowboy777
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To: Poohbah
And Lott was a dingbat before his comments of last week. There are plenty of reasons why Lott should go as GOP Senate leader; his comments should be considered "the last straw."
52 posted on 12/11/2002 4:04:50 PM PST by My2Cents
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Arrrg the guy who coined the phrase "racial McCarthyism" is now willing to reward it's practice?

Oh David pallllease, what are you thinking?
53 posted on 12/11/2002 4:06:42 PM PST by republicman
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To: End The Hypocrisy
Thanks for the link. Interesting results so far. Not much "outrage," but watch the clever left/press whip this into an international incident.

12/12/2002 - Updated 0-4:01:31 AM ET
Quick question results
 
Trent Lott is still under fire for saying the U.S. would be better off if Strom Thurmond had won the presidency in 1948 as a segregationist candidate. What should Lott do?

 27.24%
Step down as Senate GOP leader

 23.2%
None of the above

 18.41%
Resign from U.S. Senate

 14.6%
I don't care

 11.22%
Apologize on TV

 5.33%
Refuse Senate leadership post in '03
Total Votes:10156

54 posted on 12/11/2002 4:06:52 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl
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To: what's up
Thurmond's emphasis was on segregation, poll taxes, and keeping lynching from being made illegal. He's disavowed those views and I applaud him.

Lott has
Gott to go.
55 posted on 12/11/2002 4:07:31 PM PST by GraniteStateConservative
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
It's time for Lott to take a hike.
56 posted on 12/11/2002 4:07:57 PM PST by Saundra Duffy
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
If I was Karl Rove, I would talk to Lott, see how far he would bend to a public whipping. Then, let the GOP rip on him for a few days, make there voices even louder then the dems. Drown out all the left wings voices calling for his head, and give him centure, and then have Senator Nickles or Senator Hagel (2 of my favorites) take his place as majority leader.
57 posted on 12/11/2002 4:08:22 PM PST by Sonny M
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
You have to pick your battles with these blighters. The question that should be asked is if it's worth it to close ranks to stand with Lott. Does the conservative movement in America want to expend that amount of political capital required to save him?

I dare say no. Lott was a traitor on the most important cause, the most important case that ever passed his way. According to Mr. Schippers, his words were to the effect that House was not to dump impeachment on the Senate.

He did not want to save the Constitution, nor the rule of law. As such, no one should be motivated to save him.

Regards, Ivan

58 posted on 12/11/2002 4:10:14 PM PST by MadIvan
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To: PortervilleCA
Well said, my friend. Throwing trash is all the Democrats know how to do. This too will pass (although I dislike Trent Lott for many other reasons than this particular gaff)...

BTW, my son is currently with the Ca. Conservation Corps, Sequoia Division, headquartered at Porterville.

59 posted on 12/11/2002 4:10:41 PM PST by My2Cents
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To: TomGuy
Agreed. He needs to take a bullet for his team and resign as majority leader. He will not recover. I don't want his baggage strapped to the Republican Party. I do not want Lott representing me.
60 posted on 12/11/2002 4:11:13 PM PST by NewsGal
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