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.

[P-Marlowe]

Where you from?

I'm from America. The white folk in Boston MA were absolutely right in opposing STATE MANDATED integration. They were bussing people away from their homes because of the color of their skin. That was just as evil as what was done in the South. State mandated segregation and State mandated integration are two birds of the same color.

[Political Junkie Too]

For a loooong time now, it's been hard to tell a conservative from a liberal on this forum... The Republican party has been hijacked, many miles back.

No, we've just been infiltrated, that's all.

Free Republic as gotten a lot of press in the last two years. First, people wandered over to see what the fuss was about. Now, we are targeted with PsyOps campaigns. The recent round of Lott detractors is trying to dispirit us with constant bleats about how Lott must resign, step down, we're all tainted, the Democrats will hammer us, he'll sell us out, yada yada yada.

Just tune it out. I bet that at first, they thought they'd be shouted down like in other places. They probably never expected to be engaged in thoughtful dialog. Because of that, it's easy to tell one from the other. Just follow the thoughtul dialog and ignore the shrill voices.

-PJ

[Texasforever]

It is indeed strange but I see a miscommunication that has developed the has contributed to the problem. That is that some see the opposition to Lott resigning is support of Lott. I have NEVER seen Lott defended around here. In my case it is not Lott is the continual success of Borking republicans. There must come a point when the GOP has to, just once, say no. There will never be a "good" time to do it but it has to happen or it makes NO difference who is in the Majority Leadership because the terror of the "racism" charge is so ingrained in center-right republicans they will face the same thing Lott is facing. That is not speculation that is living history.

[jwalsh07]

You missed sublime, we're well into ridiculous.

The moral outrage of the firing squad pulling their hair out because the victim is firing back is amazing.

[strela]

As a non college grad I never really understood the attraction to belonging to a fraternity.

Just another name for networking, with beer.

[ApesForEvolution]

I know, I know where you're coming from and I *do* appreciate your opinion.

What I see is an energized RAT that had nothing lately, after 11/5, but a victory in LA that really didn't mean *that* much. BUT, that being said, if significantly MORE blacks are motivated, or somebody REALLY motivates them to get out and vote against a seemingly unrepetant-racist GOP, there will be massacres in all close states with heavy black populations the next go around. Not to mention, the RATS have a (in their and communist's political eyes) new, albeit old, truly 3rd rail issue to cloak all attacks in. Attacks that will cloud anything that we do. I could go on and on and probably will, but the ramifications of the Lott being leader were bad and just got significantly worse.

[marajade]

"I'm from the government, and I'm here to help you?" ;-)

I'm sorry I thought you were the one saying how catastrophic it all was and how NOTHING was going to get in the Senate now...

What do you want?

[Askel5]

.S. - does anyone think we Yankees could get away with referring to any of our former colonies as the "Magnolia State"?

I figure if you Yankees can get away with calling yourselves "Texans" anything's possible.

Buncha carpetbaggers with Pinkerton thugs on the payroll.

[SwatTeam]

At that time, we can all go on the attack against the hypocritical RATS in one united front.

I doubt that will happen. From what I've seen lately you will all pile on whoever takes his place as "too moderate or too wimpy or too something" whatever comes out on cnn or msnbc first.

[A Citizen Reporter]

"At that time, we can all go on the attack against the hypocritical RATS in one united front."

Oh, I see, you mean the way "we" did when we had a Senate majority in 2000? When all the sniping from the right, like Keyes and Kristol prevented us from "attacking the hypocritical RATS in one united front" because they were constantly attacking the administration. That's the kind of "united front" you seek......I see.

[what's up]

You may like Santorum or Nickles from looking at them from the outside, but how do you know how respected or trusted they are among the others in the Senate?

There's a reason Lott keeps getting elected Leader...I think the fellow Senators trust him.

This doesn't hurt when Bush is about to embark on a major agenda in January. Lott's skills may be needed for that big package.

[EternalVigilance]

Instead of platitudes how about some specifics?

Even most of the Lott defenders here quite readily admit he is not too bright or capable. Do you disagree with that?

[Dave S]

One person, and one person alone, is responsible for this current mess - TRENT LOTT.

You got that right!

[Torie]

Are you now into culling the herd by preying on the weaker animals in it? I'm trying to stay in the middle of it myself, or on the other side from you, or someplace, for protection. Askel is now with us by the way. LOL.

[Timesink]

The GOP appears to be such a bunch of sore, spineless, STUPID losers.

The White House CAN'T force him out. Separation of powers.

[marajade]

"Even most of the Lott defenders here quite readily admit he is not too bright or capable. Do you disagree with that?"

I think Pres. Bush is bright and capable... and I think that will be enough...

[ClancyJ]

No - I want Lott out because he always gives away any advantage we have.

Yet - I don't like the dems taking away the freedom of speech and thought also. I don't like people being hung on decisions, speech, ideas, votes that happened 30-40 years ago when we were in a different time and it was then accepted. I don't like the double standard they use if there is an "R" after a legislator's name.

I don't like the likes of Jessie Jackson, Toricelli, Clinton, Condit, Waters holding their positions without damage while they literately destroy a "R" who voted 40 years ago in a PC unacceptable manner in today's view or misspoke and allowed them the opportunity to throw their media ployes into action to create a scandal.

As someone earlier said - (paraphased) with all this uproar over Lott, what would have happened if he had taken a date out and drove off a bridge causing her death? Hm.....that senator has been in power 30 years?

[EternalVigilance]

I think the fellow Senators trust him.

I think maybe that may not be as true tonight as it was weeks ago when they voted.

(That's my bit of understatement for the evening ;-)

[John Lenin]

I just don't see the GOP losing black votes, as more blacks enter into higher paying jobs they are not going to want to be giving up more money to the demoRATS and their big-city tax and spend programs because they know first hand what handout money supports.

[marajade]

"I want Lott out because he always gives away any advantage we have."

With people like McConnell and Kyl in leadership along with Lott you're worried about him giving too much away?