[Sacajaweau]

It gives the Repubs a chance to look at the Dem tactics as a couple of Supreme Court Justices may leave and break up the Dem base.

[nicmarlo]

It gives the Repubs a chance to look at the Dem tactics

That may very well be part; I also think it was to turn around what Lott "did to the party" by "saying what he said" (and I am not in the bandwagon of accusing him of doing anything but being stupid).