My choice to succeed Lott (Vanity)

self | 12/14/2002 | self

[EternalVigilance]

Oklahoma Senator Don Nickles

[wildbill]

Nickles looks and talks like a sincere country bumpkin. I hope to God the GOP can find someone better than this. I'm afraid that's why Lott hasn't been dumped before this. The GOP Senate simply doesn't have anyone with stature that could be elected to the post of SML.

Lots of OK guys but no one outstanding since whatshisname from Tennessee is retiring.

[Revolting cat!]

How about him?

[Ben Bolt]

For the record I asked what i did to learn where other folks stood . Considering the big picture I have not stood with Mr. Lott for a number of years now .

On the other hand the GOP should deal with this man in the most appropriate fashion instead of the left mounting their traditional assault .

The whole episode is a continuation of the lines being further blurred beyond recognotion .

[EternalVigilance]

How about him?

You need to keep up...that's the guy we're trying to replace... ;-)

[EternalVigilance]

Nickles looks and talks like a sincere country bumpkin.

Some sincerity would be a refreshing change, IMO.

But Nickles is sharp, don't kid yourself.

[LdSentinal]

Frist is clearly the best choice. He's a compassionate conservative, he works well with the president, he's extremely bright, he engineered the Senate win this past election, he engineered the Gore loss in Tennessee during the last election.

He's telegenic. He's extremely articulate.

He sounds like presidential material, then, not a Senate Majority Leader.

[xzins]

After Bush is done, I'd agree with that. If Cheney doesn't run again for whatever reason, then I'd support Frist IF it didn't cause the loss of the Senate.

[Miss Marple]

Just stopping by this thread to ask you an important question. How good is Nickles at legislating? The primary responsibility of the Majority Leader is to organize legislative maneuvers, get bills passed in an orderly way, and (I know some people hate to hear this) work on compromises to get as much passed as possible.

Is Nickles one who can do this with any success? Frankly, it doesn't matter if he is likeable on television if he is not able to get through the roadblocks Daschle will put up. Lott was pretty effective at that...unfortunately, he is not always an effective speaker.

Now, I am willing to wait and see how things work out before I start pushing for a Lott replacement. It does us no good to trade one problem for another.

It is helpful to remember that speaking ability is not the most important aspect of this position.

Perhaps someone who knows about Nickles' abiities in this area could contribute to the thread.

Also, I think pushing Nickles too much at this juncture would be unhelpful to his chances. I know you think that Lott would be voted against by all but the liberals I listed above; however, Lott actually has friends in the Senate, and people who owe him favors. Nickles could still lose by not having enough votes.

[deport]

Besides, Nickles resigned at Whip to become Chairman of the pork-powerful Budget committee.

Do you know why he resigned? It couldn't be becaused he was term limited in that position could it? Maybe a hint of slander is the best approach to taint someone with.....

[MAKnight]

If Lott steps down as Leader over this, the Democrats and their Presstitutes would start a campaign for him to resign from the Senate to show his contrition.

My belief is that he should wait ... and step down sometime after this has died down (around February or March).

[EternalVigilance]

Nickles is very smart, a good tactician, and has a very good strategic sense.

He has shown the ability to forge good working relationships with his colleagues...relationship that are built on trust.

He's a bit more conservative than Hastert, IMO, but has the same kind of low-key ability to get things done without alot of rigamarole.

Like one previous poster said and backed up with a great anecdote, the last thing liberals want is a guy like Nickles. That speaks volumes.

Miss Marple, he didn't get to be Lott's second-in-command without legislative talent. He has what it takes to be a very good Majority Leader...one who will fit with the leadership mix in the House and in the White House very well.

As to the timing, that is a game that is being played out on the Hill, and will be decided by the President, his political advisors and 51 Republican Senators...but nonetheless, active Republicans should contribute to that process by making their thoughts and feelings known to our elected representatives.

[MAKnight]

If you can be Whip especially in an Collegial institution like the Senate, then you certainly can be Majority Leader.