I honestly don't think the Democrats wanted Lott to stay as ML. Oh, I think they wanted him to stay. It started with John Lewis "forgiving" Lott. Then Carville chimed in that he was so moved by John Lewis' statement that he "forgave" Lott as well. Carville said we must have tolerance for the shortcomings of others and hope they could redeem themselves. As this article states, the Dems were going to use the Lott issue as a wedge to drive the political agenda to the left and paint the Republican party as racist at the same time.
While it is true the 'Rats won't stop now, it would have been so much easier with Lott as the face of the party at every press briefing. Now, Lott is perceived by many people as having acted in the best interest of the country by stepping down, while the 'Rats continue to pile on for political gain. With Frist as the new leader, the 'Rats will appear as even more transparent and desperate. Where was Hillary when "racist Republican" Bill Frist was in Africa helping bring medical care to those without?
I think they wanted him to stay, too. The Dems use blacks but have a hard time controlling the action when they try to pull off something like this. The 'Maxine Waters' end winds up going over the edge and spouts things beyond the talking points. It starts a firestorm they can't readily back away from and eventually they go too far.
Daschle immediately tried to hold up Lott's leadership in the senate knowing full well Lott was their best friend among the republicans and their ticket to the concessions he would need in the coming session. He was quickly overpowered by the far left wing as the thing snowballed.
Daschle is the one who knows best what the Dems have lost in Lott. He knows the deals that were cut between him and Lott before the election and how much Lott has conceded away over all these years as our leader in the senate. Tommy is quaking in his boots at facing a new leader.
I just pray whoever is finally selected as majority leader will really BE one this time. We might just find out what it's like to actually advance our agenda. [What a concept.]