It's about a lot more than Lott

TownHall.com ^ | 12/19/02 | David Limbaugh

[kattracks]

The ever-escalating Lott imbroglio has very little to do with Senator Lott anymore and everything to do with demonizing Republicans as a class.

As for Lott, the immediate question is whether he had racism in his heart when he suggested the country would have been better off had Senator Thurmond been elected president in 1948. Did he commit an unforgivable racial slur or just use sloppy words with no malice intended while caught up in the spirit of honoring Senator Thurmond at his 100th birthday party?

If he meant the former, then he should resign his Senate leadership position. Period. But if he truly wasn't lamenting the demise of segregation and just chose poor words, wouldn't his forced resignation be a pretty harsh penalty?

People point to a similar statement Lott made in the eighties to prove that he must have intended a racial slur, but I'm skeptical. Regardless of my numerous political disagreements with Lott, he strikes me as a decent person who wouldn't harbor such repugnant views. Plus, racism requires a degree of passion. I see no passion in Lott about anything, except, perhaps, retaining the leadership position. And as I survey his tenure in office I don't see a record of racism.

The truth is, none of us knows for sure what is in his heart. But isn't he entitled to the benefit of the doubt? Or does he forfeit that because a) he's a Southerner; b) he's a Republican; c) he's a Southern-Republican; d) the nature of the charge is so severe that his state of mind doesn't matter; e) certain conservatives want to use this opportunity to throw him overboard because he hasn't been conservative enough; f) certain Republicans want to ditch him to prove they are not racists or g) certain Democrats want to exploit the situation to regain ground they lost in the midterm elections?

Please don't analogize me to the Clinton defenders who knew Clinton was guilty but defended him purely because they had contempt for his accusers and wanted to keep him in power. In fact, I am not defending Lott per se. I'm just saying I don't know for sure whether he's guilty of the charge, and neither does anyone else, except Lott himself.

But this doesn't have much to do with Lott anymore. All you have to do is read the liberal editorials or listen to the words of the spokesmen for the Black Congressional Caucus and the National Organization for Women. They are convicting Lott not for his words, but for his political affiliation and his domicile. They cite the Republicans' "southern strategy" of using "code words" appealing to racism to win southern votes.

The New York Times Bob Herbert wrote, "But Mr. Lott is not the only culprit here. The Republican Party has become a haven for white racist attitudes and anti-black policies. The party of Lincoln is now a safe house for bigotry." There are many other editorials in the same vein.

To them it doesn't matter if Lott meant his remarks maliciously. He's a Republican. And Republicans are racists because they oppose affirmative action and the proliferation of the welfare state, etc. Case closed. One's individual behavior is irrelevant; it's his policy preferences that matter. (Never mind that in fact conservative policies are much more egalitarian and colorblind than liberal ones).

A person can be completely free of racism in his heart and still be a racist pig, according to some, if he advocates, for example, across-the-board tax cuts. Conversely, a complete racist scumbag, if he happens to be a liberal, will likely be given a pass on his racism.

Such is the insanity of the age of collective judgments rather than personal responsibility. How ironic! We rightly condemn racism, because, among other things, it devalues the worth of individuals on the basis of a categorical judgment about their group (race). Yet many categorically adjudge Republicans as racists because of their membership in a group.

I'm all for dumping Lott if he meant his remarks as racist. I'm even for replacing him at some point because he's not conservative enough. But let's not confuse the two.

Those conservatives who think Republicans are going to end this by making Lott a sacrificial lamb have another think coming. By discarding Lott without satisfying themselves of his culpability, Republicans not only will not be cleansing themselves in the minds of their accusers. They will be abetting the cause of tainting the entire Republican Party by allowing Lott's guilt to be established largely by association (with Republicans).

Eventually Republicans are going to have to deal with these incessant, outrageous allegations that they are racists. And getting rid of Lott isn't dealing with them.

©2002 Creators Syndicate, Inc.

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[over3Owithabrain]

A merry Christmas to you too, and thanks for disagreeing in such good taste. I think we share the same goals of course, but have different views of the end-game here. I could drop some names of smart guys on my side too that you disagree with. Bottom line is you and i can simply wait, watch and pray for a good outcome from this mess - I do believe ultimately there will be somehow.

[Interesting Times]

I believe Lott as Majority Leader is very much preferable to a 50-50 Senate or complete loss of control.

But didn't the honorable Majority Leader just swear up and down that he would serve out his Senate term?

If he was telling the truth, then your concerns can be safely set aside.

[nopardons]

President Bush has NOT come out against Lott. He has made exactly one statement , ON RE , repudiating racism ; NOT Trent Lott.

Some " Conservative " columnists / pundits have come out against Lott; not all.

What you have failed to grasp, is that many of those , here, screaming for Lott's head on a platter, are fringers ; not GOPers at all. They have taken every single opportunity, to trash the GOP, President Bush, and those here, who have supported them. Others, who are part of this slice & dice Trent movemenet here, fall into two catagories : 1) those who aren't all that politically savvy to begin with 2) a very few, who are. The second group also has a subgroup...Southern FREEPERS, who aren't racists, but feel impelled to scream for Lott's head, to prove that they aren't.

The fact of this matter is, that this is a tempest in a teapot ( rather than a " TEAPAOT DOME " ! ) , which has gotten out of hand. It all started out with the sound & fury from the usual suspects ( Jesse Jackson , James Carville, etc.; but THREE DAYS AFTER THE EVENT!), as they do with just about EVERYTHING a Republican says / does ... only this time, the spark caught and the fire has become a phyrric victory.

Lott is NOT going to be forced out, by a combination of Dem activists, greedy, rivals, who salivate after being the SML, CYA poltroons, who don't have the guts / spine / gonads to stand up against this phony onslaught, and a rabid pack of political naifs, here, who just don't get it.

Fine, stay with your delusional pals; your a bunch of lemmings, who have been goaded into a false position. And, before you even attempt to tar me with the " Lott supporter " brush, you should know that I have wanted ( and said so ! ) Trent gone, far longer than you've been a member here !

[Post Toasties]

How did the Republican Party let a former Democrat segregationist become its Senate Leader?

Aargh!

[swheats]

Playing the Christianity card now. The republican party is known for high moral rectitude. How can we do any other thing than give Lott another chance to prove he can be fair and accomplish the President's agenda, without the public thinking the Republican party is a big sham on everything it says it believes.

Trent Lott and the Republican party's defining moment. This is about how it's playing in Peoria right?

I hope when it's all over those on the Senate Democrat side (at least 10 of 'em) will see the light and realize the republican party is where they belong. What has this cost Carville for him to see the light?

[over3Owithabrain]

Can't respond without name-calling, fine, I can take it. What you fail to realize is that I think for myself - I don't get goaded by anyone, particularly the left. You mention Carville as spurring "us" on, the funny thing is he is on your side now! Wonder why? Is it because he's just a nice guy, or he knows the libs are better off with Lott as ML? Hmm, a real tough one to figure there.

Maybe in your insular world people don't take positions on principle or their own judgment of what is best. There doesn't have to be ulterior motives like self-guilt or mob-mentality. Whatever the dems have done to fuel this or blow up, and I agree with you on their never-ending tactics, Lott has ultimately proven thoroughly he is an albatross around the neck of the GOP. He should be removed from leadership. However I agree that he most likely won't, because only the Senate can do that, and he will cut enough deals, call on owed favors, and schmooze up to his country club pals to keep him in power. And then you can toast your great victory in standing up to those lousy Dems and watch them laugh right back in your face.

[nopardons]

You say that I " name call " and then launch into a spurious personal attack ? You should change your nic to P-O-T, dear. :-)

Why did Carville change his tune today ? He might have realized that people are doing several things : 1) saying that Lott shouldn't be made to leave ( see today's Gallup Poll ) 2) hearing about DEM bigotry/ racist remarks / flubs / gaffs / that make Trent's latest look triffling in comparison 3) hearing, maybe for the first time, that it was GOPers, who helped pass the Civil Rights Act 4) seeing this railroading for what it is and from whence it came.

Could he also now think that Lott is in the pocket of the Dems ? Yes, he could ; however, Carville see more than just that; unlike you.

Self guilt isn't classified, by any stretch of the imagination ( nor dictionary ! ) as a synonim for " ulterior motive ". Mob mentality may be; however, that's really stretcching the point.

Oh yes, I have lived suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch an " insular " life. ROTFLMSO and then some. You don't have the foggiest idea as to just how deliciously, hysterically funny THAT thoughtless remark is ! ;^ )

As to toasting a phyrric victory, I won't be doing that and I don't imagine the Dems will either, dear. You should NOT try to tell the future; you don't even understand the present.

[nopardons]

I think that this has cost James a LOT, actually. After all, his fine Italian hand was one of those, that first stirred this pot.

[over3Owithabrain]

Please define my spurious personal attack, you can't, but it sounds good to say that for everyone to hear, although I would guess it would not surprise those who are familiar with your "style". It is hard to resist though, taking note of how extremely arrogant and condescending you come across as. And again with the first-grade level monicker twisting, yep, that really convinces me of how brilliant you are. You are a thoroughly distasteful person to have a discussion/debate with, and no, not because of how salient your arguments or convincing your prose. you go on with your inflated sense of self, and I'll wallow in my "ignorance".

[nopardons]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm, you said that I led an insular life , as a dismissal and / or invective, and a few other choice erronious guessitimates and you don't see that as inflammatory nor personal ? You've continued in the same vein, with this reply and still claim that it is I who come across as a " thoroughly distatseful person", an egomaniac, etc. ; not to mention an attempt to put words in my mouth? Okay, dear, have it your way. THose who read this , can and shall make up their own minds. LOL

You asked for facts. I gave you facts. You even agreed with the facts. Now, your back in attack mood ? You are enjoying the flame war ( and yes, that IS what this is, it is no longer about Lott; hasn't been for days ! )way too much to know when to just stop. That's okay, you'll eventually tire of digging that hole .

[over3Owithabrain]

Whew, you're really out there. Self-delusion can be a wonderful thing.
And thanks for continiuing to flesh out my motives, I was wondering why I had these opinions, now I know I just had them foisted upon me and I wanted to argue with intellectual giants like yourself

[nopardons]

YAWN ! Just keep on digging. Projection too, I see. LOL

[grania]

If Lott is dumped they will attack the next leader the next time he makes a comment which can be twisted to to their advantage.

I agree with you, but want to add some real concerns about where this could lead.

Who is the "they"? Senator Lott has had supporters and opposers from across the spectrum. What will happen is everyone will be attacking everyone they don't agree with 100% by scrutinizing every word they speak and determining what they meant.

It's a "thought crime". Lott never said he supported segregation. By all personal accounts about him, he isn't a racist at all. Do you want to be judged by a panel of the righteous every time you speak or write? Do you want a situation where nobody can speak on their own for fear of censure?

Did you see the movie MINORITY REPORT? The theme relates to this situation.

It's about a loss of freedom of speech. It's even worse than that, because it isn't what he said, it's what people thought he meant.

Those who would prefer another Senate Majority Leader should wait awhile, be honest about their reasons, and stop this stuff that will have a negative impact on the ability of our officials to speak out and express themselves without fear of censure.

[FBD]

Yes, with the New and Improved Trent Lott's help, we can reach more folks with:

Affirmative action in education and in the job market, more liberal judges, more welfare, more subsidized health care, increased unemployment benefits, and many more programs yet unthought of.

Hey, maybe we can do reparations for slavery now!

It's gonna be a great out reach program to the left, having the new & Improved Trent Lott as our Senate Majority Leader! We will need a much bigger tent, to say the least.

[Once-Ler]

Thank you so much, you are very kind.
I'd have to say I'm learning a lot about politics from Common Tator.
I really did not want to believe what he was writting a few days ago, but I will never doubt again.

I wrote this to swarthy and I think it's the best thing I have written at 2:30 in the morning.

---

I will keep my party swarthy.
Hopefully someday you will feel comfortable voting for us again.
Until then I will hope and pray that Bush and Lott do the right thing, and if they don't you can be assured that I will do what I can to try to stop them.

I have great confidence in my party. We have the deck stacked against us with the media, the press, and the bureaucracy. But our party has the best people and the love of Jesus. Ours is a party of ideas and heart that grew out of a noble and just cause - equality of the races. Please don't even try to argue this point with me because the civil war was fought over slavery. I really won’t hear any equivocation about it.

When some one doesn't want to deal with a problem they first deny it exists. You're problem is Lott is and shall remain the SML. There is nothing more to say about it. Bush sent Powell out today to very lightly endorse Lott. The Media has spun it that Powell did not explicitly endorse Lott, but Powell could have just said no comment as Ari did earlier. The deal is done. It's just a matter of time.

The 'rats claim Lott is weakened. I don't see it. Lott has allowed Republicans to beat the heck out of him to provide political cover for the party, even though he knew he could not be removed.

He is now the repentant Majority Leader who evokes sympathy from Rep. John Lewis, and Bush is the President who rebuked racism and promoted Powell and Rice (Affirmative Action.)

The stain of racism that has surrounded the Republican Party is now a national debate. Rush, Hannity, and Fox news are talking about the never punished racism of the 'rats...Lott's looking like a pretty good guy for taking his lumps when Byrd and Jackson got a free ride.

Bush and Lott are in position to bring blacks back to the party of Lincoln. When ever Lott is opposed by the 'rats he will simply say "I made a promise last year to help people of all races, and I intend to deliver to my President the school voucher legislation that will allow poor kids in inner cities to attend the same quality of schools my colleague on the other side of the isle sends his children to...he may not like that idea but I believe it is only fair." The new improved reformed Lott can demand that qualified conservative black judges be confirmed now! After all, haven’t they waited long enough for a fair chance at success?

Trent Lott didn't give Republicans their racist image, but he will be the sacrificial goat. He will do many things to make amends for Barry Goldwater’s sin. It’s not that Bush wouldn't want to sign the legislation he will be sent, but he will have no choice. According to ABC/Washington Post 60% of America believes Republicans are committed to racial equality. 'rats are 78%. Those numbers will reverse soon. That will be a fine day to be alive.

Thanx again for the nice words nopardons. :)

[San Jacinto]

Lott is a fool.

I don't think for a minute he was thinking, "Gee, wasn't segregation wonderful!", when he made his remarks, but the question is: What was he thinking?

What he said was stupid, stupid, stupid. Lott is stupid. He has damaged the party by giving its enemies the weapons to attack it.

I have no reason to think Lott is a racist, but I see for sure he is a buffoon. He should be fired.

[Once-Ler]

It is now the time to be of good cheer.
I know this is hard because I've been as angry anyone.
The battle is over except the surrender declaration.
Those we have disagreed with will be stinging soon.
We need to direct that pain at the enemy who are just as responsible as Lott and his detractors. We would not be feeding on each other with out the constant goading of the media and 'rats. They are master of manipulation. They’ve had 100 years more experience screwing the opponent.

Try not to get pulled into a fight between Bush and Lott.
It is true that some of the agitators here are plants from DU but most are not. I found that after saying a few nice things about my fellow freepers they were more than happy to remember that we've been on the same side before. It gets easier to do each time...cause that is what we used to do. It's like riding a bike.

The people on the other side believe as strongly as we do that they are right and we are the cause of this discontent.

An ABCnews/Washington post poll shows 52% of Republicans want Lott to stay that leaves 48% that disagree. Maybe 10% of that is 'rats lying, Maybe 10% is the right fringe. We need to salvage the other 30+%.

I don't write this to inflame the Lott detractors, but to allay your fears.
The Senate has known Lott for 30 years and he has made a lot of friends. Bush has been around 2. Bush has shown that he is willing to turn his back on those who have been loyal to him. I think when the smoke clears even Chafee will remember how Lott treats those who play ball.

Smile :)