Trent Lott Should Resign - David Horowitz

FrontPage Magazine - David's Blog ^ | Dec. 11, 2002 | David Horowitz

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Trent Lott Should Resign

The revelation that Trent Lott made a similar remark about Thurmond's segregationist presidential campaign twenty years ago comes as no surprise. Desegregation was the most important domestic event in Lott's lifetime, especially because of his role as a leading politician in what was once the most segregated racist state in the union. If he was oblivious to the implications of his outrageous remarks at Thurmond's party, that is reason enough for him to step down as Republican leader in the Senate. The stakes are simply too high to allow this kind of political stupidity (which is to put the best spin on it) to pass without consequence. It is bad for the Republican Party and for the country.

That said, one should not let the hypocrisy of some members of the Black Caucus go unnoticed. California congresswoman Diane Watson, former State Senator and former ambassador to Micronesia is one of those calling for Lott's head as though he were a dedicated racist. Watson is infamous for attacking Ward Connerly's interracial marriage on racial grounds. This would be hypocrisy enough. But she is also indebted to Trent Lott for making her ambassadorship -- which was blocked by the opposition of her hated (or should I say hateful) colleage Maxine Waters (the antagonism is personal not political). With Watson's appointment in limbo because of Waters' opposition, Lott intervened on Watson's behalf to make her appointment possible. This episode makes Watson a prime candidate for the Jean Carnahan award for graceless ingratitude.

Here's a comment from a Republican reader:

Senator Lott's apology was disingenuous. He talked about "discarded policies" of the past--not wrong policies. He speaks in code; he antagonizes blacks with his transparent longing for the ante-bellum South. I don't think Senator Lott is a racist, and I do think the Black Caucus is vicious and hypocritical. But Trent Lott as majority leader spells disaster for the politcal future of the Republican Party.

Kathleen

[MadIvan]

This may be the only chance to get rid of the weasel however. If you have a chance to take out a weasel, don't mind so much that you're shooting it in the back.

Regards, Ivan

[swampfox98]

"Out damn Lott!". (Even Shakespear couldn't stand Chester.)

[randita]

In effect, his point was "Do you want Lott to quit because of a concocted racial attack?" IOW, if you disagree with his leadership, fine, but if he quits now, it will only give validity to the charges, and will embolden the left to character assissinate more Republicans.

I agree. I hope Bush gets an opening to say that the politics of racial division should stop. I don't know how he could say it and appear concerned, yet outraged at the same time. If anyone can do it, Bush can.

This type of racially concocted "gotcha" has got to stop between the parties. For conservative apologists (and even Rush is guilty) to play moral equivalency does not help.

IMO, the best and most effective approach would be to attack the race baiting process and call for an end to it--from both sides of the aisle.

I'm so sick of it I could scream.

[Poohbah]

Bulldoze this Lott!

[gabby hayes]

I'm a white, male conservative, and I don't intend "to get over it." Lott reveals an apologetic minset for segregation. This is not just something that can be written off as a "poor choice of words." His continued presence as leader is immensely hurtful to the GOP.

[End The Hypocrisy]

If Lott resigns, won't he basically drop out of the Senate too? Then the Democrat governor of Mississippi can replace him with a Democrat. Our control of the senate would then be razor thin. Or am I missing part of the picture?

[MadIvan]

I think we are all talking about him resigning merely as Senate Majority Leader, not as a Senator.

Regards, Ivan

[Poohbah]

If Lott resigns, won't he basically drop out of the Senate too?

Not necessarily. But if you leave him as Majority Leader, he will eventually resign, probably when it will do the most damage to the Republicans in 2004.

[JohnGalt]

I am a Northeast Conservative so I know all about anti-Southern bias. But I am no fool: Southern Republican Conservatives win elections. Can your Cali Conservatives say the same?

Do I wish Rocky Mountain Conservatives had more power? Yes.
Do I wish Trent would step down for anyone else? Yes.
Did Trent screw us on Impeachment? Yes.
Is it worth offending the Southern voters who delivered us the Senate? No.

[PortervilleCA]

As a Hispanic I can say that Lott did more for the Hispanics of America than any racist democrat. If the Dems believe they will get any traction from this controversy, they are wrong. Fact is I will become more directed to call democrats racist and that anyone who agrees with their policies is a poverty pimp that hates Hispanics. Weak tactics from the left will harden the substantive position on the Right, we should rejoice.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

That's a Lott. Heh. (^:

He doesn't appear to be listening.

Retreat (full) , bugle call.

[Riverman94610]

Exactly!
If Bush does not take a strong stand and dump Lott watch the Democrats in 2004 go on ad infintum about "the party of Bush and Lott".
And enjoy a Gore-Kerry White House.

[Poohbah]

But I am no fool: Southern Republican Conservatives win elections.

And those Southern Republican Conservatives are loudly thanking God that Strom wasn't born in late October or in the first couple days of November.

Lott is unfit to hold a national leadership post. Period.

[rmmcdaniell]

I don't think Senator Lott is a racist, and I do think the Black Caucus is vicious and hypocritical. But Trent Lott as majority leader spells disaster for the politcal future of the Republican Party.

So your willing to loose our majority in the senate because your too much of a coward to stand up to the rampant PC in our culture? Lott's replacement would be appointed by Mississippi's democrat governor. This would then give Chaffee the perfect excuse to leave the "racist" republican party. We have two choices, stand up to ridiculous political correctness or say hello to majority leader Daschle.

[krodriguesdc]

if Lott survives this I hope he learns his lesson about cooperating with the dems and trying to appease them - they are cutting his throat...

john kerry, the wanna-be POTUS, is calling for Lott's resignation tonight in the news - politics, politics, politics!

but you know what - the dems have been playing this card for years and they are now in the minority...

they are really hurting themselves with this...

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

He's a Witch!!!!!

[JohnGalt]

Southern heritage conservatism is the reason why the Congress is in Republican hands and you want to offend the Southern voter to please the New York Times editorial board who will suredly stop accusing the GOP of being a party of racists if Lott steps down.

[End The Hypocrisy]

Here's a USA Today Trent Lott poll worth freeping. It lays out most of Lott's options:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2002-12-11-lott_x.htm

[krodriguesdc]

wasn't it john kerry who in the 90's said something to the effect that Jesse Helms should be shot?

does anyone remember that?

[End The Hypocrisy]

>>>I think we are all talking about him resigning merely as Senate Majority Leader, not as a Senator.<<<


But Newt Gingrich dropped out of Congress, as did Livingstone, upon relinquishing the House speaker posts. Had the GOP lost its majority recently, then Dennis Hastert would have dropped out of Congress too. Perhaps there's some sort of unwritten rule?