Daschle Demands 'Fuller' Lott Explanation (Pit Yorky Alert)

Yahoo (Reuters) ^ | 12/11/02 | Thomas Ferraro

[The_Victor]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle demanded "a fuller explanation and apology" from Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott on Wednesday for saying the nation would have been better off if segregationist candidate Strom Thurmond had won the presidency in 1948.

Daschle, who had earlier dismissed Lott's comments as misstatements, pushed for the action as a flap over Lott's remark last week escalated with reports the Mississippi Republican made a similar comment two decades ago.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer (news - web sites) reiterated President Bush (news - web sites) maintains confidence in Lott, who planned to address the controversy in an appearance later on Wednesday on Fox News.

"Trent has to find a way to end this (controversy)," said one Republican senator who asked not to be identified by name.

The flap has caused an embarrassment for Lott as well as the White House and fellow Republicans as they try to attract into their ranks more minorities, who traditionally vote Democratic, and as they prepare to push their conservative agenda in the new 108th Congress, which will convene on Jan. 7.

For the most part, Republican congressional leaders have remained publicly mum over the matter, which has seen the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (news - web sites) (NAACP) call for Lott to step aside as a Senate leader.

The Family Research Council, a conservative group, suggested Republicans determine if they really want Lott to still be their leader, while People for the American Way, a liberal group, said Bush should ask him to step down from the post.

"If President Bush's claim to be a 'uniter not a divider' has any credibility whatsoever, he will ask Trent Lott to step down as the Republican leader in the Senate," said Ralph Neas, president of People for the American Way. "If Lott doesn't resign his leadership post, senators should elect a new majority Leader."

While congressional Republican lawmakers and aides said they expect Lott to survive politically, they also said he must make amends.

Lott set off the controversy during a tribute on Capitol Hill last Thursday to mark the 100th birthday of Thurmond, the oldest member ever of Congress, who is retiring on Jan. 3. Thurmond is a South Carolina Republican.

Lott noted his home state of Mississippi voted for Thurmond who ran for president as the nominee of the States' Rights, or Dixiecrat, Party, as a segregationist. Thurmond was then South Carolina's governor.

"We're proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over the years," Lott said.

Lott, in a written apology on Monday, said, "A poor choice of words conveyed to some the impression that I embrace the discarded policies of the past. Nothing could be further from the truth, and I apologize to anyone who was offended by my statement."

The New York Times and The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that Lott made a similar comment in 1980 during a rally for then Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan (news - web sites) in Jackson, Mississippi, at which Thurmond was a keynote speaker.

Said Daschle of South Dakota, "In light of today's news and the growing controversy, Senator Lott should come forward with a fuller explanation and apology."

It was Daschle's third statement on the matter in as many days. On Monday, he said he accepted Lott's explanation. But after some black U.S. lawmakers complained, he issued a statement on Tuesday saying, "Regardless of how he intended his statement to be interpreted, it was wrong to say it."

Rep. J.C. Watts, the only black congressional Republican and a member of the House of Representatives Republican leadership, said in a statement on Wednesday, "We should accept his apology."

"As the incoming majority leader already said about himself, Senator Lott went too far," Watts of Oklahoma said. "He told me he would like to have his words back."

[The_Victor]

Tiny Tom doesn't want Lott to resign, he might have to deal with a Senate Majority Leader with real testicles.

[Phantom Lord]

Looks like Mad Max Waters got to Daschle.

[what's up]

Looks like the Beast went personally to Dash-hole's office to get him to speak up louder on the matter.

She loves this kind of stuff.

Too bad it can't get out that Thurmond was not a Republican at the time. He was splintered from the Dems then went right back to them when his campaign was over.

It was the DEMS who were the big racists back then.

[Timesink]

Daschle, who had earlier dismissed Lott's comments as misstatements...

Why isn't this the story?

[Joe Boucher]

Little tommy has short mans diesease, he is jelous of anyone over 4 feet tall because he knows they would have a bigger wiener the he.

[Hacksaw]

Lott should resign, but NOT for this. He will have to stay now for a while so as not to empower the socialists calling for his head.

And who the f*ck is Ralph Neas to be offering commentary? This guy has led the most gutter level smear campaigns against political opponents. This guy is a grade A bastard who doesn't deserve to be quoted in the cow manure and fertilizer monthly.

[polemikos]

Daschle Demands "Fuller" Explanation

Lott Should "Brush" Daschle Aside

[Bikers4Bush]

Yap, yap, yap, yap.

[South40]

[jmaroneps37]

A 15 minute story that has lasted about 12 mins. already. This will be a bitter pill for the rat media when it finds itself unable to keep the legs under this story.

[ampat]

Lott ought to accommodate Puff D, and tell him he meant that if Strom were elected, we wouldn't have had a welfare state for blacks and that they would be better off now. Also, will someone paleeeese tell those liberal talking heads that while all this was going on in '48, they were members of the democratic party. I don't think the non-dixiecrat democrats opposed Strom and voted for a Republican. Strom didn't become a Republican until 1964.

[Lil'freeper]

How about a "better" explanation or a "more complete" explanation? "Fuller" just sounds ignernt (it may be gramatically correct, but it is semantically odd).

[PISANO]

Simple.........not a story because Dash man is a gimmie/lib

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

The Daschle Show

Said Daschle of South Dakota, "In light of today's news and the growing controversy, Senator Lott should come forward with a fuller explanation and apology."

It was Daschle's third statement on the matter in as many days. On Monday, he said he accepted Lott's explanation. But after some black U.S. lawmakers complained, he issued a statement on Tuesday saying, "Regardless of how he intended his statement to be interpreted, it was wrong to say it."

Leftists...

1. Remember 9/11?
2. Aware of Iraq...?
3. Think about the economy?
4. Keeping up with the environment?
5. What happened to the Landrieu return from the dead?

Better not piss off Lott, committee numbers... haven't been decided.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Did Tommy mention Robert Byrd, by any chance?

[goodnesswins]

Little Tommy better be careful what he asks for....he might get more than he bargained for....as has been the history of the Dems since President Bush was inaugurated.

[Political Junkie Too]

This is the non-existent Democrat "destruction machine" in action.

-PJ

[BillCompton]

Harold Ford (d Tenn.) just made a really good impression on FNC. Just the right take on it. Lott needs to go and soon.

[CFC__VRWC]

This is the non-existent Democrat "destruction machine" in action.

They sure work fast, don't they?

[CFC__VRWC]

"... while People for the American Way, a liberal group, said Bush should ask him to step down from the post."

Here's the real game, right here. Presidents are allowed to lobby the Senate, and even apply pressure on it to try and get what they want. One thing they are absolutely not allowed to do is tinker around with its leadership or its internal workings. The President's hands are tied here, and Neas and his slimy group know it. The public in general of course doesn't know this, so the Rats can freely tar Bush with the racist brush while he can do nothing to respond. GWB wil be getting the Ken Starr treatment.

[Redleg Duke]

As if this development was some big surprise.

[Howlin]

She must have threatened to take his little box away.

[Howlin]

LOL!

[jwalsh07]

Lott should resign, but NOT for this. He will have to stay now for a while so as not to empower the socialists calling for his head.

You have 20/20 vision.

[jwalsh07]

Harold Ford (d Tenn.) just made a really good impression on FNC. Just the right take on it. Lott needs to go and soon.

Well, without a doubt. The democrats are palying for keeps. There goal is a majority in the senate in this Congress. Your goal is, apparently, to help them.

[CFC__VRWC]

Said Daschle of South Dakota, "In light of today's news and the growing controversy, Senator Lott should come forward with a fuller explanation and apology."

It was Daschle's third statement on the matter in as many days. On Monday, he said he accepted Lott's explanation. But after some black U.S. lawmakers complained, he issued a statement on Tuesday saying, "Regardless of how he intended his statement to be interpreted, it was wrong to say it."

Interpretation: "When I went after Rush Limbaugh, I stuck it out a little too far and got it handed to me. So when this story broke, I issued some little feel-good statement about Lott's apology and then laid back to see how well my fellow Rats and our media allies could get the "Lynch Lott" stampede rolling. Well, they did a great job, so now it's time to join the herd."

[dalebert]

If Lott was so lame or drunk to say what he did he should resign as Senate leader.He is too stupid for the job and its going to cause a lot of problems. Conservatives police their own. The Dems will not let this rest. The party won't let them. Best thing to do is start listing racist remarks by people of color. I hate hate hate the race card but Dems know nothing else.

[BillCompton]

Your goal is, apparently, to help them.

Substantiate that. Did you see Ford? Do you dissagree. I will check my mail again, but I didn't get the memo on what I can say and not say in order to avoid "help[ing] them." Do tell.

[jwalsh07]

Here you go Compton

You've been on the dump Lott bus from the beginning

Do you think Lott is a racist who embraces segregation?

[republicman]

The response should be: the voters repudiated underhanded tactics like these of the democratic party this last November.

The democratic party had better start offering the public something real, i.e. not racebaiting smear campaigns or they will lose, and deserve to lose, even more races in 2004.

[republicman]

If Lott doesn't resign his leadership post, senators should elect a new majority Leader."

Lott is a wuss and an incompetent, but sacrificing him to the pc lynch mob would be a big mistake. Giving in only tightens the noose on the next guy.

And if you think the next guy will be tougher, just remember, they put in Denny Hastert after Newt, not the other way around. So don't count on it.

[roamincadillac]

He's only after Lott because he couldn't get anywhere with
Limbaugh. Maybe he'll go after Alan Colmes if the Lott thing does'nt pan out. All those down and out DemocRATS do.

[Kangaroo Court]

When on when will the Republicans learn that the best defense is a good offense? Instead of trying to explain Lott should be throwing it back at them in indignant outrage. I'm no fan of Lott's, he always tries to play nice while they are breaking his knees, and this alone makes him a poor leader. You think after what the DEM's did to their so called friend John Ashcroft Lott would know better.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" I'm no fan of Lott's, he always tries to play nice while they are breaking his knees, and this alone makes him a poor leader. You think after what the DEM's did to their so called friend John Ashcroft Lott would know better."

I hope that Lott has learned 2 lessons-#1. The Democrats are not his friends. #2. Stay away from all microphones.

[kcvl]

Just more of the same crap they have tried over and over and over again...


The New Dixiecrats
Ralph Neas and John Edwards use race to divide America.

Tuesday, February 26, 2002 12:01 a.m. EST

A fascinating thing has happened on the way to the Senate "borking" of appellate court nominee Charles Pickering Sr. Taking orders from their interest groups, Beltway Democrats have tried to portray the Mississippian as a modern Lester Maddox. But the African-Americans back in the judge's hometown of Laurel have responded that nothing could be further from the truth.

[kcvl]

CNN's forhead, Begala, had Al Sharpton on tonight trying to tell the country that Lott should resign. Al Sharpton, of all people, as an expert on racism? Isn't he the same guy who lost a lawsuit against a New York police officer for claiming the policeman raped a little black girl? I don't remember Sharpton ever apologizing for that!

[GWfan]

Bingo!

The dems have nothing to lose. Have the people on FR lost their minds and their memory?? Have they forgotten how the dems will stop at nothing in their power grab?? They just torched the torch and found some half-dead guys to run and still lost the senate. They have no real power now, so all they can do is try to demonize somebody, somehow to try to get the senate back. They are gnashing their teeth over the worst defeat they have seen in years!

Many on FR are helping them. My opinion of FR has plunged in the last few days. Never have I read so many inane posts from those who pretend to be in the know. I am disgusted.

[GWfan]

Exactly, who listens to Al Sharpton? or Jesse Jackson?

[BillCompton]

You've been on the dump Lott bus from the beginning

I appreciate your good faith effort to address the issue. I actually was the first on the bus if you go back to the first posting on the issue. That is quite different from being somehow disloyal to the Republican cause. I knew from the first that this was going to hurt us and that he was wounded. We have really worked hard to earn respect with blacks and to say something so impolitic and stupid and wrong, it just irks me. Someone pointed out today that if this had happened two months ago...what a disaster. I just don't understand how someone as seasoned as he could have made such a mistake. I can understand how you might assume that I am trying to be a troll, but if you look at the weight of my posts both before and since this happened, you will see that I am not. And besides, I am not alone on this side of the issue. I had the same reaction Bill Kristol had. James Taranto. Andrew Sullivan. Jonah Goldberg. David Frum. Washington Times Editorial Page. New York Post. Who has been on the side of saying "this is no big deal"? Robert Novak (not in print). Newsmax.com makes a moral equivolence argument. J.C. Watts is the _only_ republican politician I have seen covering for him. I don't think it is fair to paint me as somehow trying to undermine the cause because I think he has hurt us and should pay for it.

[GWfan]

Get real. Siding with Jonah Goldberg and Bill Kristol, who cares what they think? Think for yourself. They only write to sell magazines.

You must be blind as a bat if you can't see that the dems are back at it. Daschle is supposedly 'taking the high road' but demonizing nonetheless. Lott plays politics like a gentleman. That makes alot of people accuse him of not having male sex organs. Then he says something nice to a 100 year old man on his birthday and you talk about how that was insensitive when last week he was too sensitive. You are playing right into the dems hands.

They lost the senate in the election, so they have to get it back some other way.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

What happened when Lott said he didn't like working during lame duck sessions?

[ampat]

Lott ought to accommodate Puff D, and tell him he meant that if Strom were elected, we wouldn't have had a welfare state for blacks and that they would be better off now. Also, will someone paleeeese tell those liberal talking heads that while all this was going on in '48, they were members of the democratic party. I don't think the non-dixiecrat democrats opposed Strom and voted for a Republican. Strom didn't become a Republican until 1964.

[BillCompton]

Get real. Siding with Jonah Goldberg and Bill Kristol, who cares what they think? Think for yourself. They only write to sell magazines.

Well, its a natural human trait to recognize when people affirm things you believe. If you go back to the first thread on this Lott subject, I made the first comment. Though, I have liked lot better than most people around here, I instantly saw this as a career ender. Many Republicans here and elsewhere don't want this party's hard work thrown away because our Senate "Leader" can't make the most fundemental distinctions regarding an issue on which we routinely get pounded. We have to put him on the bench and give someone else a shot. I don't care what the Dems say, that is not what is driving my desire to bench him.

[shuckmaster]

How very typical that the same Republicans who perpetuate the ruse that Republicans are the conservative party should duck for cover when a real conservative emerges from their ranks!

Click Here!