For the same reason that Clinton diddled an intern, perjured about it, used his office to obstruct the investigation, and managed to hold onto his office, whereas Bob Livingston resigned both the Speaker's position AND his House seat when his affair became public - because, if you stand for something better than what the Democrats offer, then you have to be willing to pay the price for that stand if the situation merits it.
Most everyone would agree that Lott has always been a spineless weenie at the very best. However, after all the effort put in to regain control the senate, Bush and others are willing to shoot one of their own wounded comrades.
Were Lott a democrat, there would nothing from his friends.
There is a double standard. Democrats are held to a different degree of accountability than Republicans, period. Maybe that's because the dems' constituencies don't give a hoot how honorable their representatives are, as long as they get their share of the pie.
As for Massachusetts' unconvicted felon...Teddy actually was removed as Majority Whip (cit. below). Is Lott's mouth the modern equivalent of Chappaquiddick? Yeah, if your mouth is Republican...sorry, double standard.
From Encarta: "In 1969 his colleagues elected him Senate majority whip, and he was widely regarded as a Democratic front-runner for the U.S. presidency. On July 18, 1969, however, Kennedy drove his car off a narrow bridge on Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts, and his only passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, was drowned. The event, in which he was found guilty of leaving the scene of an accident, seemed to quash his presidential hopes. Despite his reelection to the Senate the following year, he lost his bid for reelection as majority whip."
Yeah and Bill Clinton not only speaks inappropriatle, but acts so as well (Monica) in addition he gets impeached, and yet HE didn't have to resign....
Not true - - Kennedy isn't up for leadership post. If he were, I think Mary Jo would be an issue.
Likewise with Byrd. If he wanted to be Dem leader, you'd hear about his KKK past.
Same thing seems to be applying to Lott - it's because he's the GOP LEADER that his comments invite scrutiny. A back bencher wouldn't get the attention.
I think Lott should continue to represent the State of Mississippi in the Senate. He may have damaged his ability to effectively serve as head of the Republican Party in the Senate as Majority Leader, however. The request for resignation by some, myself included, is to resign as Majority Leader and let someone else who is not tainted by stupid remarks take over.