I believe the lib/dems have determined that this is an issue they can use to divide the country in half again - against this President. It matters not now what Lott or anyone else has to say. I believe that this president doesn't see race as a partisan issue, but is going to be forced to 'take the issue away' from the lib/dems now.
It won't be enough to hope folks are 'distracted' with the war and terrorism. The lib/dems will soon be calling R's the terrorists and saying they are 'at war' against racism.
The universe of politics seems to have spun out of control on this one. It would take quite a significant event (in our own backyard) to get the press and libs to can the harping on racism. I expect to hear about it throughout the next congressional session and well into the fall elections.
An interesting observation, and food for thought.