[deport]

This is a forgiving country," said Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who becomes GOP whip in the new Congress in January. "He knows he made a big mistake. It's time to forgive him and to move on. And I think he can still be a very effective majority leader in the Senate."

Several other Republican senators, including John Warner of Virginia and Peter Fitzgerald of Illinois, joined the "enough is enough" chorus.

Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., said Lott's apology was necessary. "He let his party down," Hagel said. He added, "I know of no one in our party calling for him to step down."

Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee, a moderate Republican, told The Providence Journal that Lott's remarks smacked of "stupidity." He did not call for Lott to step aside, saying he worries that potential successors might be even more conservative than the Mississippian.

President Bush last week rebuked Lott, but his spokesman said the president did not believe Lott should step down.

Some Republicans have kept silent, including Lott's current deputy, Don Nickles of Oklahoma

[Sparta]

All of these RINOs supporting Lott are pathetic. I despise most Senate Republicans!!!! Most Senate "Republicans" are in reality RINO butt-boys for Tonya Dasshole, Heinz Kerry, Hitlery, KKK Byrd, and rest of the damn traitorous disloyal opposition.

[Wait4Truth]

Chaffee is such an ass! Good grief! Thanks for the post, deport. I still want Lott to go, though.

[EternalVigilance]

Some Republicans have kept silent, including Lott's current deputy, Don Nickles of Oklahoma

Sometimes silence can be deafening. ;-)

[Stultis]

Lincoln Chafee [...] did not call for Lott to step aside, saying he worries that potential successors might be even more conservative than the Mississippian.

[One Syllable Explicitive Rhyming With "Luck"] Lincoln Chafee Bump!