[aristeides]

I don't have time to go through all this thread, but is there any way to be sure that this CNN report is true. An article in this morning's Washington Post appears to discuss this conference call, and specifically says Lott was not on it:

For now, the great majority of GOP senators are taking a wait-and-see approach. Shortly after Lott spoke, more than 20 of them participated in a telephone conference call to discuss the fallout. Lott was not included.

In the call, put together by Sen. Larry E. Craig (R-Idaho), some members rallied around Lott but a number expressed concerns about the controversy's possible impact on the legislative agenda and the 2004 elections, one participant said. Several GOP senators warned of a brewing political war with Democrats, who they predicted would continue to call for Lott's resignation for political reasons.

[aristeides]

I see the Washington Post article goes on to say this:

Yet, in a sign of the Lott camp's concerns, some allies are quietly suggesting to GOP senators that Lott might resign from the Senate if he is forced out as leader, a move that could jeopardize the party's one-seat majority. Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (D) presumably would appoint a Democrat to replace Lott, they note. That would leave the Senate evenly split, enabling Democrats to regain the majority if they could persuade a moderate Republican to switch parties.

A source close to Lott dismissed the scenario, saying, "it would be a cold day before Trent Lott gives his seat to a Democrat governor."

That's still a far cry from the CNN report.