[ewing]

Looks like the battle lines have been drawn..

[SunStar]

Wow. President Bush is wrong on this one, IMHO.

[A CA Guy]

I think there should be no response to the liberals at this time, but Lott is weak anyway and perhaps he'll be a bud and step down in the summer for a real leader.

[PianoMan]

Right or wrong, this is politics, and keeping Lott in charge would be an enormous mistake politically.

[jern]

I bet this one stays in breaking news.

[Orion]

Funny how our hand wringing over racist remarks calls for everything but a resignation. It seems that power is more important than doing "the right thing."

Covering for the ultimate crime ("racist" remarks) is only eclipsed by the attainment of power.

[demkicker]

Looks like Lott got pissed and threatened to quit the senate altogether if the White House abandoned him.

[Aaron0617]

Thats different from what I heard. Wolf needs to recheck his sources.

I heard the White House wont ask Lott to resign but the decision is up to him.

[SwordofTruth]

Way to go Bush!

[McGavin999]

Bush has very publically spanked Lott....HARD. If you heard his speech today you'll know just how hard that public spanking was. That should be enough for now, or at least until the uproar dies down. However, if more comes out he's going to have to step down.

[End The Hypocrisy]

Somewhat related thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/805400/posts?page=41

[BuddhaBoy]

Bush said the same thing about Paul O'Neil.

Then he FIRED him.

[Cousin Eddie]

There are different versions of this going around.

I heard reported on CBS radio news that the White Housel is not asking him to resign from the senate, which is very different form not wanting him to resign as majority leader.

[Retiredforever]

I haven't heard about any Democrats rushing to the microphones to condemn Senator Byrd for his past membership in the KKK.

[zencycler]

I don't buy it. The only thing is they don't want it to look like Lott is resigning under pressure from the Democrats. I think a deal has been made. The president shows support now for Lott remaining as Senate leader now, everyone goes home and enjoys the holidays, and then a couple weeks into the next year, after the howling has turned to wimpers, Lott announces that he'll resign his post as majority leader for the good of the party.

I give him until Jan. 31st, the latest.

[F16Fighter]

Can it be?? Is the chopper actually waiting for Lott this time?? Will the rope be tossed down? Will Lott have any dignity left even if he grabs the rope and is "saved"?

We can duly note the purposely mixed signals from the WH...

[ArcLight]

Big mistake. Let this guy go.

[TomGuy]

If Lott does not step down as Majority Leader, every incumbent Republican up for re-election in 2004 (including GWB) will be faced with explaining the issue at every campaign stop and at every news conference.

The issue will not simply "go away." The sharks smell blood and are circling. Lott brought it on himself. Now, he needs to remove himself from majority leadership; thus, removing the issue.

[wingnuts'nbolts]

As Shakespear would say this is "Much to Do About Nothing".
The black caucus and the DNC would like to convince the country (the black voter) that Trent Lott is a bigot and racist, along with the whole republican party. Not SO! If Trent is too weak kneed for the Pubs then force him out, but not for this bit of nonsense. At no time can the Dems be allowed to call the shots for the Republican Party. The game is ours and they can go eat grapes. No more can they tell us how it will be played out. What the heck is the matter with you "Trent has to go because he said something stupid". All politicians say stupid things daily, over and over. Al Gore being the poster child of stupid. Senator Byrd is nothing but a stupid sayings walking. Get a grip.
We need to keep the party cohesive. Ronald Reagan said do not talk badly about another Republican. Get over the petty
stuff. Keep it together.

[plain talk]

Perfect. Just what I've been saying. He shouldn't resign. And the President shouldn't call for him to resign. He should just be voted out of the post. It's a quite simple solution the way I see it. Get Nickles or someone with gonads in there.

[goodnesswins]

Hmmmmm....sounds like negotiating....he "shouldn't resign as Majority Leader".......maybe means we'll give that to you, BUT, he's NOT going to resign his seat! Unless of course you want to lose Byrd, and a whole pot of Dems in the process.....