Bush's silence could seal embattled senator's fate - President, House speaker meet without Lott

Associated Press ^ | December 18, 2002 | Associated Press Staff

[MeekOneGOP]

Bush's silence could seal embattled senator's fate

President, House speaker meet without Lott to plan agenda

12/18/2002

Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Sen. Trent Lott said he "made a terrible mistake" in praising Strom Thurmond's 1948 segregationist presidential candidacy, but the controversy continued Tuesday amid indications from White House advisers that President Bush won't try to save Mr. Lott's job.

That could seal Mr. Lott's fate because several other Republican senators are expressing concerns that the Mississippian is a liability to their agenda in Congress and to Mr. Bush's re-election. On Tuesday, Mr. Bush stayed silent on the matter, waving off a reporter's question about whether Mr. Lott could still lead effectively.

Senate Republicans have set a Jan. 6 meeting to decide whether Mr. Lott should remain their leader. Republicans will be in the majority in the new Senate.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bush met at the White House on Tuesday with House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., proceeding without Mr. Lott to plan for the 2003 congressional agenda. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Mr. Lott, at home in Mississippi, was not excluded for any political reason. "For us to talk with anybody from the Senate, they need to be in Washington," Mr. Fleischer said.

Also Online

	Quartet of senators stands ready if Lott is ousted as GOP leader

He also made clear that Mr. Bush will not intervene for or against Mr. Lott when Senate Republicans meet next month.

"The White House will not comment on that meeting or anything leading up to that meeting vis-a-vis anything these senators may or may not do or call for at a potential meeting," Mr. Fleischer said.

Trying to salvage his political career, Mr. Lott reached out Monday to the people he now acknowledges he wounded and promised black Americans that minorities could benefit from his continued leadership.

"I accept the fact that I made a terrible mistake, used horrible words, caused hurt," Mr. Lott said during a 30-minute interview with Black Entertainment Television. "But it is about actions more than words. As majority leader I can move an agenda that would hopefully be helpful to African-Americans and minorities of all kinds and all Americans."

Mr. Lott has been trying to atone for his Dec. 5 toast to centenarian Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., in which he noted that Mississippi voted for Mr. Thurmond in 1948 and said: "If the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years, either."

Mr. Thurmond's States' Rights Party platform in 1948 was almost wholly segregationist, advocating bans on multiracial marriages and the defense of the South from "anti-lynching" reforms.

White House officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Monday that Mr. Bush would not try to save Mr. Lott's job.

Mr. Bush's political advisers say they are highly disappointed with Mr. Lott's explanations, but the president has ordered them not to act against the senator.

Some colleagues are rallying behind Mr. Lott. Incoming Senate Republican whip Mitch McConnell of Kentucky repeated his support for Mr. Lott on Monday.

Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., called Mr. Lott's remarks "exceptionally inappropriate" but said they should be placed in context with what he called Mr. Lott's otherwise sterling record.

Mr. Lott said on BET that he had spoken with Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., about setting up a task force on reconciliation, and with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, about setting up a black summit. Mr. Lewis, a veteran civil-rights leader, said Mr. Lott appeared sincere.

"I'd like to come down on his side, giving him a chance," Mr. Lewis said.

---

Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dallas/nation/stories/121802dnnatlott_.5f925.html

[MeekOneGOP]

This article is a bit misleading by the A/P and the Dallas Mourning News. Are they excluding Lott, or was he simply out of town like Ari Fleischer says?

[gunnedah]

Politics as usual. Fact is Lott has himself in a catch 22.
At this moment an time he can only help himself and the Democrats.As Majority leader in Congress he will have to march to the tune of the Liberals and Democrats if he stays and can not be effective as a true conservative to which I question his stance anyway. The deals he made with Daschle before this mess has the Democrats wanting him to stay and regardless this is a win-win for the Democrats either way it goes and the Republicans can thank the Democrat Liberal "Mainstream Media" who covered up for Clinton/Gore for 8 years.Without cable TV and the Internet this country would have become socialist much quicker. As it now stands there is a little hope left for us but it may be to little to late.

[gop_gene]

Lott can be for affirmative action, he can march on Selma, he can set up a black summit, he can join for black caucus for all the good it'd do, the damage is already done and it is irreparable, at least where he's concerned. Despite his eager overtures, I doubt blacks will warm to Lott--how could anyone--cause his motivations are just too dang transparent. Lott is toast--the gop senators aren't having this media-hyped meeting on the 6th (and they should make it sooner, the fools!) to say "Trent Lott is the man for us!" It would be phony, not to mention political suicide to do so.

[anniegetyourgun]

Trent who?

[muddypaws]

He's been dancing
w/the lib's a long tme....I'll never forgive him for caving on the impeachment hearings......and leaving the house managers to flap in the breeze........its always been what's best for Lott...

[Ron H.]

... Are they excluding Lott, or was he simply out of town like Ari Fleischer says?

Isn't that what phones and airplanes are for? I guess that the WH could have just overlooked Senator "I'm so so so so so sorry" Trent Lott.

[MurryMom]

Meanwhile, Mr. Bush met at the White House on Tuesday with House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., proceeding without Mr. Lott to plan for the 2003 congressional agenda. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Mr. Lott, at home in Mississippi, was not excluded for any political reason. "For us to talk with anybody from the Senate, they need to be in Washington," Mr. Fleischer said.

He also made clear that Mr. Bush will not intervene for or against Mr. Lott when Senate Republicans meet next month.

"The White House will not comment on that meeting or anything leading up to that meeting vis-a-vis anything these senators may or may not do or call for at a potential meeting," Mr. Fleischer said.

Muzzling himself and his handlers is the smartest thing Smirk has ever done. Every time he tries to say something of substance the Smirking Chimp reminds reporters and most Dems of Dan Quayle and Trent Lott.

P.S. Don't anybody on FR say I never said anything nice about little Smirk.

[zanarchist]

"P.S. Don't anybody on FR say I never said anything nice about little Smirk."

What a load of BS. You think you are being nice by calling someone a "Smirking Chimp" and "Smirk". But then again you are a Rat so when you say anything it is always "nice" no matter how vile it is, so long as it is said about a Republican. Lets see the Rats control what branch of Gov. now? Oh that's right NONE!!!! Have a nice day. The new leader will be someone that will stick this whole mess right up the Rats backside.

[MeekOneGOP]

Trent Toast....

[MeekOneGOP]

Sheesh ! Here. Go back to your playground, ok?

[MeekOneGOP]

Lott is playing the Senate Majority Leader Blues now I think.....

[Fury]

Muzzling himself and his handlers is the smartest thing Smirk has ever done. Every time he tries to say something of substance the Smirking Chimp reminds reporters and most Dems of Dan Quayle and Trent Lott.

P.S. Don't anybody on FR say I never said anything nice about little Smirk.

Another vapid post by MurryMom. What a waste of bits.

[TLBSHOW]

Let me remind you that Bush allso declined to go after the Clintons. So that does not wash.

[ApesForEvolution]

"But it is about actions more than words. As majority leader I can move an agenda that would hopefully be helpful to African-Americans and minorities of all kinds and all Americans."

We know, Trent, we know...(sigh)