'Standing up for what is right' means dumping this moron. Given the makeup of the committee at the time, Bush did the best he could for Pickering. He might have had a second chance, after Bush's efforts in the election. But Pickering is now finished---thanks to Lott.
If Pickering is now finished---it's thanks to conservatives who helped brand Lott a racist in an attempt to pay him back for trying to manage a diverse Republican caucaus instead of pushing the conservative agenda.