I like the way you think, EV! :o)
Being the eternal optimist I am, I see this as a good thing. While there has been ridiculous overreaction by the left and by the media, and I doubt he is a racist, what Lott said was incredibly stupid, and at his age, and in his position, he should have known better.
He's a liability to the President and the Conservative cause. Good things will happen if he steps down from leadership.