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I think there is a common-sense answer to this whole dilemma... |
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GOP_Lady |
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
(Excerpt) Read more at frontpagemag.com ...
It went something like this.
How can President Bush keep a man like this as majority leader.
If he steps aside, it will become, how can President Bush keep a man like this in his party.
The dims are on a mission to steal the senate again and they are going to get lots of help from the right.
They didn't clap when he made the second portion of his remark--they gasped.
No. The pitchforkers and torches are all hoping Lott's Senatorial career ends on back of the next space shuttle on the way to Alpha Centauri.
The rationale for his candidacy and his party was race issues. Like I said, Thurmond has disavowed his views in 1948. Lott must not know this.
I don't have a problem with lynching being a federal crime.
But to want to crucify Lott because he agrees with the Southern view of the time is the sort of ludicrous thought control that really should sicken any Conservative.
I wish Lott would just say that he agrees with the Dixiecrat platform. It would make this issue much more clear and would make it much easier to move him out of his leadership position. Lott has a right to support segregation. He doesn't have a right to represent our party.
When you screw up, you eat the worms, and you say you were wrong and that you're sorry.
I have gotten myself into positions that, on a personal level, were far more fraught with disaster than what Lott's playing with now...and a quick, prompt, and unconditional apology allowed others to forgive my multitude of sins.
They can't get a Democratic President who raped, pillaged and plundered America as much as a parking ticket, but Lott needs to be burnt at the stake for his inate stupidity?
What are we missing here??
I don't think Lott is a closet racist, I merely think he's stupid and his unthinking remark has caused the GOP a lot of problems and set us back years. All our had work, trying to prove that we are NOT racists was wiped out in a few seconds by a man who doesn't think before he speaks. That's not what we want in a majority leader.
I think he should be replaced. Period.
I dunno. Either we've been snatched or they have.
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GOP_Lady |
Maybe, but he also said on Hannity today..that he wanted to make it clear that he wasn't just sorry some people were offended by what he said, but that he was genuinely sorry for what he said because it was wrong.
This contradicts the claim that it simply was a problem of not being "clear".
The more he talks, the more convoluted it all sounds.
As for explaining it in the moment, everyone present clapped when he said it. They knew what he meant, as did I and all who know history and do not have an agenda.
Lotts only mistake here was assuming that people are smart.
How difficult is it to simply say that he was talking about "state's rights" the "constitution" etc. and not "segregation"?
And not knowing what Lott meant when he talked about "all these problems" has less to do with being "smart" and more with people simply not being familiar with Lott or his views.
All he had to do was explain himself.
Do you think Lott is a racist?
I don't know.
I don't have to judge what is in his heart to take a position on whether or not I disagree with his statement.
I just want to know what he meant by "all these problems" that we could have avoided if Thurman was elected President.
If he meant segregation then I don't think he should be Majority Leader.
I don't think I could've said it better myself.
Personally, I've wanted Lott gone since '94. He gets the Senate Majority leader's position in '96 when Dole quits to run for the President, and it's been one disappointment after another.
The last straw was that half-assed, half-baked "power sharing" agreement he cut with Daschle. If that didn't prove his worthlessness!!!!
I don't want him gone because of his stupid remarks, I want him gone because he's been absolutely ineffective. Get a REAL Senate Majority leader with some backbone who'll treat the Senate Democrats like the trash that they are!
Well he sure didn't "offend" me. And what do you want? Lott to roll a peanut across the street with his nose while on his knees?
"When you screw up, you eat the worms, and you say you were wrong and that you're sorry."
Again, it is arguable that Lott has done something sooo heinous. Try and re-focus. It's become a freakin' circus only for the sake of energizing the moribund Democratic agenda...
It was stupid and callous. That's enough reason to apologize.
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.
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 will not get sufficient airtime to be effective.
You keep forgetting that it's a different playing field for Dems and Republicans, and that when you insist on playing by the Dem rules, you are going to lose, because you don't get the favor.
Lott may or may not be a racist. That much is completely immaterial.
He is manifestly too stupid to be allowed to hold a national leadership position.
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.
Nobody has ever suggested Trent Lott was either effective in the Senate OR a genious.
I have NO problem whatsoever what Lott out of GOP Leadership -- just can't tie it in to this incident. Yet....
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