They didn't clap when he made the second portion of his remark--they gasped.
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.