While no fan of Trent Lott, had he simply said he was referring to Helms position on states rights as opposed to the massive federalism of the 60's and 70's he would not have had to resign from the senate leadership.
He allow the media to shape it as a racist issue and failed. Which, is why he is no longer in the senate leadership.
"While no fan of Trent Lott, had he simply said he was referring to Helms position on states rights"
There is a difference between North Carolina and South Carolina, just ask one of us sometime. There is, likewise, a difference between Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond. Strom Thurmond, for instance, is dead. Jesse Helms is not.