Its interesting how after Lott was forced out, some conservatives whine about how Bush didn't stop the coup, yet they conveniently forget that when Lott was Majority Leader, he was no friend to the conservative movement. Need I bring up his treatment of the impeachment managers, or his brilliant "power-sharing" idea that ended up with Democrats in control of the Senate?
Lott may very well be Bush's friend, and Bush may very well respect him, but that does not mean Bush wants him as Majority Leader. I'm sure the First Canine is Bush's friend, but that doesn't mean the President would make him curator of the Rose Garden.