Don Nickles Calls for New Senate Leadership Election to Challenge Lott

Fox News | 12-15-02

[rightwing2]

Fox News just reported that ABC reported that Nickles has called for a new Senate leadership challenge to Trent Lott!

[Howlin]

If they wanted a strong majority leader, they should have voted Lott out before now.

LOL......I don't know why, but that just struck me as SO funny.

[Torie]

No, but he must certainly do so after he has the votes, or a fighting chance to get them without knowing. It might be a secret ballot, which makes it a bit tricky. Is it a secret ballot?

[marajade]

If Nickles doesn't have the votes to what political advantage would it give him? Lott certainly must hate him at this point and Lott is still ML...

[Jhoffa_]

You both would do well to remember that 9/11 made dubya.

He was barely elected and things weren't looking so hot for him till the WTC was bombed.

I am not saying that's good or bad, but it's a fact. He was headed for allot of trouble till the WTC attack silenced algor and the shills.

[Torie]

Obviously, it assumes Lott will be decapitated.

[deport]

Howlin it's usually held about the time they adjourn the congress for the year.... be it in Nov. Dec or whenever. They held it on Nov. 13, and the House Republican did theirs on Nov. 12. The democrats were a few days one side or the other, I can't remember when. The point is it wasn't a rush up job. They do it to give the incoming leaders the knowledge so thing can begin to be worked on for the upcoming session.....

[woofie]

The mother story says a lot(t)...What I heard in Lott's remark was anger that Mississippi is not respected,He was saying that Mississisippi voted for Strom and he was proud of it...

[rintense]

I didn't drag the President into this. He did when he made the comments he did this week. He also got himself further into this by letting Rove call the shots. Ideally, this should have been handled by the Senate and by the people of Mississippi. Bush should have just accepted the apology and let the Senate deal with him. But if you think Bush hasn't been involved in this from the moment the comment was made, think again. And it's through Rove that Bush's desires are being known. If all this ‘behind the scenes’ crap isn’t true, then I want Ari to say so on Monday. But I highly doubt he will.

The problem is that this sets up any future apologies as empty words. Like I said, I certainly hope the President never has to apologize for anything because he will be met with the same skepticism about his ability to lead. This entire fiasco sets a dangerous precedent for all republicans, and only gives the Dems one more stick to beat us with.

And I wish the President could see that.

[alnick]

It would be like Daschle making comments that defend Communist atrocities.

That bears repeating.

[Howlin]

I can't find the article, but at the time, there was talk of Lott rushing it up.

[rintense]

The truth can be funny, can't it? All this 'he's a weak leader' crap is so after the fact it IS funny.

[deport]

Nickles was term limited in the position, he had to step down.....

[JulieRNR21]

Drudge has a link to the following on his site regarding the 'threat' of Lott's possible resignation of Senate seat:

"As the call began, McConnell—second in command and a Lott ally—delivered a history lesson. “Leaders who are ousted tend to leave altogether,” he said in his voice-of-doom baritone. “That is what Newt Gingrich did. That is what Jim Wright did. They don’t stick around.” If Lott left, he noted, the Democratic governor of Lott’s home state of Mississippi would name one of his own as a replacement. Republicans relishing the return of perks, power and committee chairmanships could forget it.

Instead, they would face the kiss-your-sister chaos of a 50-50 Senate. “I was just explaining the history,” McConnell told NEWSWEEK. Other participants remember the moment differently. “He was raising the idea that Trent would blow himself up,” said one. Lott, for his part, distanced himself from the threat—even as aides still were making it on his behalf. “My term runs through 2006,” he told NEWSWEEK. “I intend to serve it, whatever happens.”

Entire story here:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/847739.asp?

[marajade]

So if Nickles isn't interested himself then who is he presenting as the answer? Its obviously not McConnell... It didn't sound to me as if its Kyl either if Kyl stated those things on the radio about Lott leaving altogether... Maybe its Santorum or somebody not in leadership currently?

I think it would be a hoot if it was Kay Bailey Hutchinson though... it would certainly counter the Pelosi effect...

[habs4ever]

Yes, but not right now.If there was a threat, the Senators know.Chafee is playing hardball right now and said a more conservative leader could imperil his votes.Nickles is rubbing Lott's nose in it and that's not a smart thing to do.Is it so difficult for these guys to exercise tact and fairness? Do it quietly and with as less humiliation to Lott as possible, if it is going to be done at all.If not, and these are all trial balloons, then factions have been created in the Senate that a new leader may not be able to repair.

[Torie]

Well I got the conflicting signals bit right. But this story has Lott saying he is staying, and his aides saying he is not. I thought I read an aide said he was staying, with Lott doing who knows what.

[Torie]

Frist is the most likely choice I think.

[rintense]

And you know that the Democratic governor would appoint a Democrat for the sole reason of making it seem that Mississippi is NOT racist.

[deport]

rushing it up for what? Hell they were only in session a few more days to get the Homeland Security Act, funding extenison, etc passed. It couldn't be for Strom's party as it hadn't been held.... sheesh.

[marajade]

That's assuming that Frist is in on it... Has anyone even heard Frist make a comment about Lott?