Posted on 12/20/2002 5:25:12 AM PST by wimpycat
Two N.C. Republican members of Congress have joined those calling on embattled Sen. Trent Lott to resign as the GOP's Senate leader.
U.S. Reps. Sue Myrick and Cass Ballenger are the Carolinas' first Republican lawmakers to publicly say Lott should step aside. The Mississippi Republican ignited a firestorm this month after praising Sen. Strom Thurmond's 1948 segregationist presidential campaign during a birthday bash for the S.C. senator.
"It's in the best interest of the country if he steps down as leader so we can move forward with what the people want us to do and this isn't an issue forever," said Myrick, of Charlotte.
Ballenger said Lott should "drop out of leadership but stay in the Senate."
Yet he also said some of his constituents might empathize with Lott's remarks, and acknowledged that one black colleague so provoked him that "I must I admit I had segregationist feelings."
Asked if he believes Lott is a segregationist, Ballenger said, "I'd have a hard time saying he wasn't. ... Basically in some areas of the South, in Charlotte and everywhere else, there are people who get rubbed the wrong way (thinking) `We've got to bend over backwards; we've got to integrate' and things like that."
Ballenger, of Hickory, said he felt similar sentiments dealing with Rep. Cynthia McKinney, a Georgia Democrat known for her liberal politics and combative personality.
"If I had to listen to her, I probably would have developed a little bit of a segregationist feeling," he said. "But I think everybody can look at my life and what I've done and say that's not true. ... I mean, she was such a bitch."
McKinney, who lost her re-election bid, could not be reached.
When told of Ballenger's remarks, Rep. Mel Watt, a black Democrat from Charlotte, reacted philosophically.
"I suspect that whatever she's doing that's gnawing on him has to do more with what she's saying and how she's saying it than the fact that she's black," he said.
"I doubt it's her blackness that's annoying him, but it's probably that added factor that makes it intolerable to him, in a sense. I wonder if somebody white did and said the same thing that Cynthia McKinney is saying it would even become a part of his discussion."
As for Lott, Watt said "That's the Republicans' cross to bear."
Other Carolina lawmakers have renounced Lott's remarks but stopped short of calling for his ouster.
Sen.-elect Elizabeth Dole on Thursday declined to elaborate on a statement she made last week in which she stood by President Bush's condemnation of any segregationist views. Thurmond's successor, Republican Sen.-elect Lindsey Graham, has said he's glad Lott apologized, but "It is now time for us to move forward."
Jimmy Broughton, an aide to outgoing Sen. Jesse Helms, said Helms believes that "enough has been said. Everybody now is piling on. He's been friends with Senator Lott for a long time."
U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, an S.C. Republican, considers Lott's comments "indefensible," said spokesman Wesley Denton. But, he added, Lott has apologized "and (Wilson) accepts his apology."
Pearl Burris-Floyd, a black Republican commissioner in Gaston County, said Lott hurts her party's efforts to recruit minorities.
"No one wants to be a part of something where you're obviously not wanted," she said. "... This is not part of the Republican philosophy. There's nothing we can do as a party to control how a person feels."
Like Myrick, Ballenger blames the press for prolonging Lott's troubles.
"The news media has worked this thing over," said Ballenger. "The Democrats aren't going to let it die, and I doubt the news media will let it die. What we need is to go to war somewhere, and then you'd have something else to write about." -- STAFF WRITER JEN TALHELM CONTRIBUTED TO THIS ARTICLE.
ROFL!
When told of Ballenger's remarks, Rep. Mel Watt, a black Democrat from Charlotte, reacted philosophically.
"I suspect that whatever she's doing that's gnawing on him has to do more with what she's saying and how she's saying it than the fact that she's black," he said.
"I doubt it's her blackness that's annoying him, but it's probably that added factor that makes it intolerable to him, in a sense. I wonder if somebody white did and said the same thing that Cynthia McKinney is saying it would even become a part of his discussion."
As for Lott, Watt said "That's the Republicans' cross to bear."
Official nominee for Quote of the Year! ROFLMAO!
Frankly his "those I offended" apology and his later capitulation to affirmative action and the Black Caucus agenda is what is really indefensible.
We simply can't have a man with this kind of baggage leading the Republican Senate.
ROTFL.
Harrumph! :)
Was a bitch? I'm afraid I have some rather unfortunate news for Mr. Ballenger.
Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party.
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