LOTT TO BE RULES COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN?

Roll Call (through Drudge)

[RobFromGa]

BOOBY PRIZE: Republicans to offer Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) the chairmanship of the Rules and Administration Committee, ROLL CALL is set to report... MORE

Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), who was in line to head the Rules panel in the 108th Congress, has agreed to step aside to allow Lott to retain some institutional power...

[BuddhaBoy]

The "Stupid Party" continues.................

[RobFromGa]

January 3, 2003

Lott Likely to Get Rules Chairmanship

By Mark Preston

Seeking to soften the blow from his ouster as the next Majority Leader, Republicans are likely to offer Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) the chairmanship of the Rules and Administration Committee.

Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), who was in line to head the Rules panel in the 108th Congress, has agreed to step aside to allow Lott to retain some institutional power, several GOP sources said. Senate GOP leaders are scheduled to meet Monday to discuss the situation, which will be part of a broader conversation about choosing committee chairmen.

It is unclear whether Lott has agreed to accept the position. His office could not be reached for comment. Lott resigned as Republican leader in December under a barrage of criticism for a perceived insensitive racial remark he delivered at Sen. Strom Thurmond's (R-S.C.) 100th birthday party.

The Rules panel has jurisdiction over the internal workings of the Senate, ranging from doling out office space to handling contested elections. While Rules is powerful within the institution, it does not have the stature of influential committees such as Finance and Appropriations.

For more on Lott and incoming Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), pick up a copy of Monday's print edition of Roll Call or log onto rollcall.com.

Beginning next week, Roll Call will expand its coverage by moving to a three-day-a-week publishing schedule when Congress is in session. Issues will appear on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

[NittanyLion]

Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), who was in line to head the Rules panel in the 108th Congress, has agreed to step aside to allow Lott to retain some institutional power...

Wonder what Santorum has been promised?

[TLBSHOW]

Why is that?

[RobFromGa]

Rush just mentioned the story. Hope it isn't true.

Here's the Roll Call link:

Roll Call Link

[My2Cents]

Wonder what Santorum has been promised?

Hopefully it's the passage of a ban on partial-birth abortion.

[BaBaStooey]

The Rules panel has jurisdiction over the internal workings of the Senate, ranging from doling out office space to handling contested elections.

Trent is gonna be in charge of that?! Man, we are so screwed. He's gonna give Dems all the good office space to atone...ugh

[Diddle E. Squat]

Nothing stupid, unless Lott imposes a Poll Tax or Jim Crow restrooms.

[TLBSHOW]

Do you think the rats will have something to say about this?

Or just the Lott Stabers?

[Free the USA]

fyi

[BuddhaBoy]

You know better than anyone, that Lott always loses negotiations with the Democrats. The Rules committee is probably the WORST place they could have put him.

He is still in a position to give away the store. They should have kept him on the back bench where he could do no harm.

[rs79bm]

That's what I hear. But why give the lousy Democrats anything to complain about? Stupid move IMHO.

[Mr. Bird]

We meet again! Remember, Santorum came out forcefully for Lott to remain as ML. It would seem logical (to a Lott adversary) to give Lott something one of his minions was supposed to get.

I'm not saying I dislike Santorum. But he decided to back the losing candidate and may be paying the price.

[BuddhaBoy]

I am really starting to believe that the Dems are blackmailing Lott. This was probably the price for getting him out if his old job, but he left himself in a position where he can still damage his own side and help the Democrats.

This really sucks.

[TLBSHOW]

Statement by the President


"I respect the very difficult decision Trent made on behalf of the American people.

As Majority and Minority Leader of the Senate, Trent Lott improved education for the American people; he led the way in securing tax relief; he strengthened our national security; and he stood for a bold and effective foreign policy.

Trent is a valued friend, and a man I respect. I am pleased he will continue to serve our Nation in the Senate, and


I look forward to working with him on our agenda to make America safer, stronger, and better."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/12/20021220.html

[dirtboy]

You know better than anyone, that Lott always loses negotiations with the Democrats. The Rules committee is probably the WORST place they could have put him.

All I can figure out is that Lott declared himself an endangered species, and the GOP had to come up with an environment suitable for a spineless elephant...

[TLBSHOW]

This is great news, hey tell your sadness to the President post 16!


.

[areafiftyone]

Oh Crap - You would think they would put him in a corner somewhere facing the wall with a don't look at me I am an idiot sign on his back.

[leadpenny]

While Rules is powerful within the institution, it does not have the stature of influential committees such as Finance and Appropriations.

And, I don't think it is the power position as it is in the House.