If he stays, he needs to be put on a REALLY short leash. With Lott, the only way to do that is to make sure he understands that the consequenses of not following the agenda of the Republican party TO THE LETTER will be MUCH more dire than any consequenses of Lott refusing to roll over to the Dems. This way, maybe he'll roll over for the Republicans as the stronger dogs in the pack and accept that the Dems are weaker dogs than the Republicans....and be grateful that he's WITH the stronger dogs.
Good idea, BUT who is going to hold that leash and how tight should it be? Just being on a leash will show him to be a crippled leader, and the RATs will continuely probe and push in an attempt to keep him off guard. How can he be a leader when he knows that both sides are trying to second guess him? All will be love and kisses until the first controvesial issue comes up (likely judgeships) then all bets are off. If (for example) a judge has any background that says "merit over race", you can bet the Rats will call on Lott to prove he's a changed man and oppose a nomination based on the Black definition of Affirmative Action. No more strict constitutionalist judges -- more liberal, "progressive" ones.. Just one example, I'm afraid. And believe me, I'm trying to think of ways he can remain and still be an effective leader (not that he was one before).