[Jim Robinson]

"The liberals would love to see Trent Lott out as Majority Leader"

Why? Lott is one of the best things they've going. Almost as good as Daschle. He and Daschle hatched the agreement that saved Bill Clinton from removal. Nah. I think they want a lot more than to have him step down as Majority Leader. They want him to resign from the Senate so the governor can appoint a new Senator -- a Democrat Senator. I say, no way. Hang in there. If he's forced to step down from the leadership position, then they'll howl until he's forced out of office altogether. Blank 'em if they can't take a joke.

[Poohbah]

If he's forced to step down from the leadership position, then they'll howl until he's forced out of office altogether.

If he's that weak, he'll be completely ineffective as a leader. We cannot afford that.

[bybybill]

Lott was 7 years old when Strum ran for Pres.

[McGavin999]

I disagree. I think HE should suggest he step down as leader for the good of the republican party. Then I think he should be put on the appropriations committee as chair opposite Byrd. Talk about cutting the legs out from under the dems. Oh yeah, and I think the pubbies should elect the most conservative guy they can find as leader. Lott, if he handles it right, can end up in a great position, re-hab his image, look gracious and generous, and make all the ravaging mob look stupid. IF he has the backbone to do this and the smarts to handle it properly.

[Protagoras]

The Democrats will never be able to force him out. Only you Republicans can do that. Whether you will or not only time will tell. And whether it helps or hurts Republicans will also take time to play out.

In the end, it is all about political expediency. The faction inside your Party who prevails will be the one who convinces the most Republicans of their view of his relative liability or usefulness.

As an outsider, I would opine that he has hurt your party more than helped already. It seems that he has alienated the more conservative members of your party by things he has done having nothing whatsoever to do with this flap.

[archy]

I think they want a lot more than to have him step down as Majority Leader. They want him to resign from the Senate so the governor can appoint a new Senator -- a Democrat Senator. I say no way. Hang in there. If he's forced to step down from the leadership position, then they'll howl until he's forced out of office altogether. Blank 'em if they can't take a joke.

I think the howling could be lessened considerably if it was made known that the removal of Lott would be met with a complete- and public- investigation of a Democratic senator for criminal activities that would result in his loss of office as well...particularly if it were one mentioned as a potential Democratic presidential or VP candidate. I'm sure some likely suspect could be found, and in the aftermath of the Gary Condit scandal, I expect some quick backpedalling would result.

If not, Bush could always begin replacing ALL the Demovcratic holdovers he's kept on since the Clinton administration, including all the Democratic U.S. Attorneys brought in to replace the Republicans tossed out by Clinton...if Bush hasn't cut a deal with the Democrats already, hoping to gain support for a war in Iraq from some Key Democrats, without which his reelection chances may be nil.

-archy-/-