[Cicero]

I confess my guilt. I would much rather not have seen Lott removed under Democrat pressure. Not that I ever liked Lott, but it's usually bad politics to cave in to the opposition like that. However, if Bush now stands firm, the damage done from perceived political weakness will presumably soon disappear.

[hchutch]

The fact is, this is a club that will keep the race-baiters at bay.

Because we know about Senator KKK.

One does not play poker with George Bush Jr. unless they want to lose their shirt.

[Miss Marple]

Perhaps the President actually did what he said...let Lott stand or fall on his merits (none) and let the Senate Republicans pick whom they liked.

Or perhaps the President actually was offended by Lott's comments and thought they were beyond the pale.

Both of these situations do not fall into the "caving" category but rather a difference in either strategy or opinion.

[TLBSHOW]

Bush Renominates Pickering as Federal Judge

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With fellow Republicans now controlling the U.S. Senate, President Bush (news - web sites) on Tuesday renominated Charles Pickering and 30 other judicial nominees who failed to win confirmation in the previous Democratic-led chamber.

Pickering, a friend of former Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott, a fellow Mississippian, was voted down by the Senate Judiciary Committee (news - web sites) because of concerns about his civil rights record.

Following the fall of Lott last month for racially charged remarks, Pickering's prospects of being renominated by Bush appeared dim.

Yet the White House said Bush decided to renominate him to a federal appeals court, believing he should be considered by the full Senate.

Bush will also renominate Priscilla Owen of Texas, the only other judicial nominee actually rejected by the previous Senate Judiciary Committee.

Twenty-nine others, including Miguel Estrada, who Bush wants to make the first Hispanic on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (news - web sites) for the District of Columbia, did not get a committee vote.

A White House spokeswoman said the president believes all 31 should be considered by the full Senate. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20030107/pl_nm/congress_pickering_dc_1

[Howlin]

Robert Novak just reported on CNN that today in the Senate Lott went up to Tom Daschle and shook his hand and laughed with him and gave him a big old hug.

He never even LOOKED at Frist.

[hchutch]

Just don't EVER misunderestimate George Bush Jr. again.

Watch. We're gonna roll the Dems big time.

[Amerigomag]

but it's usually bad politics to cave in to the opposition like that.

Conservatives simply, patiently waited for the inevitable and then used the resulting political fuss as cover to get rid of this ineffectual King of The Pork Barrel.

Good riddance under any senerio.