LOTT THREATENS TO QUIT THE SENATE IF FORCED FROM LEADERSHIP

Newsnight with Aaron Brown | 12/13/2002 | Jonathan Karl

[sinkspur]

Trent Lott, in a conference call with 27 GOP Senate Republicans today, said that he would leave the Senate if forced from the Leader position.

Jonathan Karl said three or four of the Senators viewed this as "blackmail," but that the majority still support Lott and want him to continue as Leader.

[HitmanLV]

Oh man, I miss Bob Grant! I lived in NY until earlier this year when I moved to Las Vegas and he isn't on the radio here - does WOR have an internet feed?

Nah, it wasn't me who called in - I call him Chester because during the impeachment situation, B1 Bob Dornan was on TV once and kept on calling him 'Chester' and B1 always makes me laugh (in a good way) so whenever I come down on Lott, I call him 'Chester!' Haha!

How is Bob Grant doing? He just gets more and more bitter and I don't blame him. I am a huge fan though and have listened to him for many many years and have always appreciated his insights.

"Get offff myyyyy phooooonnnne!!!"

"I've got to get out of here!"

"Mario....a sentame......" :-)

Haha, I could go on and on! I love Bob Grant!

[what's up]

The media is using this story to fill a news vacuum.

Nothing going on in Iraq...they need ratings. Dems fan the flame of course....and ignorant Freepers as well.

Unfortunately, Lott has to be the one who suffers the flames.

[okie01]

"Someone will oppose Lott for majority leader. Lott will lose, graciously, and will not resign his seat. He will have "lost" fair and square, rather than being forced out..."

Just one little problem with your prediction. The caucus to elect a new Senate Majority Leader for the 108th Congress has already happened. And they unanimously re-elected Trent Lott.

Lott had the caucus moved up to mid-November, about ten days after the election -- so that no insurrection could get a footing over the holidays. Plus, he could bask in the glow of a newly-elected GOP majority.

[Dave S]

If Trent Lott's such a racist, why in hell did all of ths garbage from the past just come up now?

Why? Well because his recent comments got reporters searching Lexus/Nexus for past comments, etc. Many including the reporter from Time Magazine that reported the Fraternity deal had assumed that Lott had grown over the past forty years. She assumed those years were behind him. When all the other stuff started dripping out, it makes everything else fair game.

Lott did it to himself. He has all but totally self destructed. Now its only a matter of does he take us all with him.

[marajade]

The Dems have 19 seats in the Senate to defend in 2004 most in very Bush states...

One little statement at a birthday party in tribute to a 100 year old man ain't gonna cost us any seats...

Its not like we get the Black vote anyway...

[SwatTeam]

I'm a hell of a lot smarter that you are. I know a decent, hoonrable man when I see one. You, on the other hand, must have been around the other kind all your life.

[Miss Marple]

Lott is a side issue. I don't much care for him andnever have.

The point of the plan isn't Lott. The goal is to divide the party. Looks like it's working pretty well.

Glad I don't have to lead all these folks.

Time to call it a night. Think on my theory...which does not mean that I defend Lott. However, it now appears the senator did NOT attempt blackmail, so this entire thread has been based on a false premise. Gee, how productive!

[A Citizen Reporter]

Thankfully I'm not as pessimistic as you are, EV.

I didn't call this a conspiracy to get Lott, but I will note that when the subject of Kristol came up, you tried to change the subject, FAST. That I will always remember.

[chnsmok]

What is the name of the book? I had not heard of that before. Oh, and thanks for the math lesson:)

[okie01]

"Has Lott ever really admitted that his actions at that time were EVIL? I don't think so."

Matter of fact, he did. To a reporter. About twenty years ago.

[blackbag]

"If this report is correct, Lott deserves nothing but contempt."

dittos on that. I do think it shows extremly poor judgement and that alone makes him a liability. Remember what a stand up guy he was in the impeachment process.... NOT... Replace him, he lacks backbone and good judgement.

[Darlin']

That is how I read it, too.

Mississippi has a governor's race next year and Haley Barbour plans to run. That could make it real interesting. Should he win he'd take office in January of 2004. Lott would have two years remaining in his current term. Problem is, that is also a president election year.

[P-Marlowe]

If you don't forgive Lott, well, c'est' la'vie.

He didn't try to keep me out of his fraternity. It is those who he tresspassed against that have need to forgive him, and he has need to seek their forgiveness.

I can overlook the fact that he is a sinner. We've all sinned. But I can't overlook the fact that he is as dumb as a rock and has no business leading a boy scout troop, much less the US Senate.

[Dave S]

It's really ironic that the bulk of the people here have been complaining that Lott is too weak, that he doesn't have any backbone. Well, now that he's starting to demonstrate some backbone by asserting his intent to stay as Senate Majority Leader, they're eating him alive.

Gee, I must be confused. I thought the idea was that he demonstrate some backbone against the Democrats, not his own caucus.

[Sabertooth]

No wonder the gay rumours persist...

Rumors? Great, more fist for the thrill. Er... grist for the mill.

[EternalVigilance]

Now my world is turned upside down

It's the twilight zone, I'm tellin' ya!

In the last 48 hours I've found myself in the position of defending Bush from the likes of Sinkspur, Reagan Man and Common Tator...

Has the whole world gone crazy? LOL...

[Texasforever]

At the same time LBJ and many other Southern Democrats and Republicans (like B-1 Bob) were fighting to end segregation, Lott was busy fighting to keep the ni--ers out of his little fraternity.

Yep old LBJ. The great society and its progeny have cost us 6 trillion bucks to date. Now tell me how blacks are better off because of it.

[ALS]

So what's the downside?


the downside is the gummner of missisip gets to appoint a dem in his place.

real smart pack up backstabbers we have here....

[ClancyJ]

What would his motivation be?

The "drudge syndrome"? Wants to have an important story. Sometimes events just have to be nudged a little or there is nothing to gain the limelight with.

[Mo1]

The point of the plan isn't Lott. The goal is to divide the party. Looks like it's working pretty well.

Good point