Lott to Step Aside! CBS Radio Reporting it will happen later today....

[BUSHdude2000]

Just heard that CBS News Radio is about to announce this...

Admin Moderator added update:

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Lott Will Step Down
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2002


Sen. Trent Lott plans to resign as the Republican Senate leader, CBS News has learned.

CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer reports that Lott is now calling colleagues to tell them he intends to step down. Lott plans to have some kind of statement later today and will remain in the Senate.

Two weeks after lamenting that segregationist Strom Thurmond had lost his 1948 presidential bid, Lott faced mounting opposition to his remaining in the post he has held for six year.

Sen. Bill Frist of Tennessee won public endorsements from four GOP colleagues in his emerging bid to supplant Lott. He is now poised to be the next leader.

Frist, a staunch ally of President Bush and the man who headed the GOP's successful effort to snatch control of the Senate in last month's elections, said Thursday he would "likely step forward" and challenge Lott. Virginia GOP Sens. John Warner and George Allen had said Frist was definitely a candidate.

In addition, candidacies were considered possible by Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky or Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. Both men have been among Lott's staunchest supporters.

Warner, a 24-year Senate veteran and the incoming Armed Services Committee chairman, said, "This is bigger than friendship."

"This is ? a country at war, this is a president who is making very difficult decisions each day and he needs the support of his Republican colleagues united and led by strong leaders in both houses," Warner said.

Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., incoming Environment and Public Works Committee chairman, was also supporting Frist, said Inhofe spokesman Gary Hoitsma. And a Republican aide close to No. 2 Senate Republican Don Nickles of Oklahoma said Nickles, a longtime Lott rival, would probably support a race by Frist.

Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., on Friday said he had called Lott a day earlier and "asked him to make way for a new Senate Republican leader who is able to speak with a strong voice to Americans of all races." Bond then endorsed Frist.

Allen, who will head the Republican Senate campaign effort for 2004, said he believed Frist already had the support of about 10 GOP senators, including James Talent of Missouri and Mike Enzi of Wyoming. Enzi's spokesman said he would make no comment.

Signs of trouble for Lott have multiplied over the week. First, liberal Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chaffee became the first Republican to explicitly call for Lott's ouster.

Then, a CBS News/New York Times poll of members of the Republican National Committee ? the party's ruling body ? released Thursday found 45 percent of them thought Lott should go, while just 20 percent thought he should stay on as Senate leader.

The 51 GOP senators in the Congress convening Jan. 7 plan were to meet the previous day to decide who will lead them.

Many Republicans privately expected Lott to step down before that meeting.

Following Mr. Bush's criticism last week of Lott's Dec. 5 remarks, administration officials have sought to distance themselves from the leadership struggle.

Until now, Republican lawmakers, aides and lobbyists had said Frist was reluctant to seek the job. Besides being a political lightning rod for attacks by Democrats, the post would be extremely time-consuming, taking away from his pursuit of health issues and, perhaps, preparations for a White House run in 2008.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/12/10/politics/main532405.shtml

[Jennifer in Florida]

Definition of America:
A country in North America where white guys always have to resign something if they say the least bit of something racist against people of color. People of color have no requirement to resign anything when making racist comments in public about whites

Yup. Have you heard Kerry's comments about how the Iraqi army can be defeated "even by Italians?"

[michaelt]

This is US (republicans, conservatives) asking for, and getting a new leader in the Senate. THEY (democrats, liberals) have the double standard. We don't. We're not perfect, but we are more principled than they are, and have better ideas too. If we get this message out over the next two years and beyond, this will help our side.

[CheneyChick]

While some here are cheering, the real victory is for the successful Dem spin campaign and distraction to the conservative objectives of this administration - they can claim another win. Whatever the reasons are for the dislike of Trent Lott, the statement at the birthday party of a 100 year old man is not a real reason to send him packing. This is character assassination at its finest. I'm disappointed in the bloodthirstiness of some on FR.

CC

[GWB00]

While I am glad Lott might be stepping down, I don't see any good coming out of this situation. If as many speculate, he steps down then he might leave the Senate and we would end up with MIKE ESPY representing the great state of Mississippi. Clinton's guys and girl did not have a chance at the ballot box, but now one of them might get in via a smear campaign. Bill Frist would be a great choice, but a Lincoln Chaffee could screw things up and he will be MINORITY LEADER FRIST and we are back to square one. If Lott does step down and leaves the Senate, he should persue a "Scorched Earth" policy and directly critize by name (i.e. Bryd) the racist past of others in the Senate. I doubt it will happen if Lott wants a chance at a fat lobbyist job in his post senate career and his lack of principles in the past (i.e. Impeachment) leads me to believe this will not happen. You have to hand it to the democrats, their strategy was right on when they pounced all over Lott. They knew the Republicans would roll over when it comes to the race issue.

[Poohbah]

A "Do it for the Dubyafather" bump.

"Senator Frist, I do you this small service today. Someday--and that day may never come--I may ask you for a small service in return."

[austinite]

Q: What happens when you bust open a Senator Lott Pinata?

A: Little choclate candies in the shape of Rev. "J" fall out!

[GraniteStateConservative]

Lugar has waited patiently for this chairmanship. He's also the third-most senior Republican in the whole Senate.

[Inspectorette]

Howlin, thank you for the ping.

I feel relieved, but sad that we had to go through this spectacle. I also feel sympathy for Sen. Lott that they wanted his head on a stick. Just when I think nothing in politics can surprise me anymore , something like this happens.

[Bluntpoint]

"Now let Republicans take on Byrd's racism"

Don't shoot the albotrass that will keep giving and giving the dems headaches.

Just quitely point to him occasionally.

The american people do not need to be hit over the head with a sledge hammer.

[mombonn]

Radio report just said that Kay Bailey-Hutchison is considering challenging Frist.

[VRWC_minion]

Yes, Virginia there is a santa clause.

If this went on much longer you would have had to change your handle.

[AppyPappy]

I never wanted Lott to be ML. But I damn sure didn't want the Democrats to be the one to push him out. This is a victory for them and we allowed the witch hunt to begin. Lott will not be the only Republican to fall.

[Tree of Liberty]

I totally agree. I embrace his resignation due to a long history of ineptness and liberal appeasement, not for an innocuous statement regarding a Southern gentleman.

[MJY1288]

Now lets put this issue aside and get on with the business of making these race baiting demoRATS pay for what they have done

[Peach]

Understanding the emotional issues regarding abortion, but let's try not to be single issue people and do what Republicans so often do - eat our own. Let's be as supportive as we can of our Republican officials and work within for whatever changes you/we deem important.

[P-Marlowe]

I was leading the charge to have Lott removed as ML. Now he needs my support. I would like to see him get a cherry committee chair from which he can learn to exercise a little pay-back to his democratic enemies. If he learns that talent then perhaps he can someday regain the ML post and exercise that power in the manner in which it ought to be exercised.

I think he will take away from this experience a sense that the democrats never liked him and that they always wanted him to fail.

Now if he stays in the Senate, then hopefully he can be an eternal thorn in the sides of the democrats.

[Wait4Truth]

CNN did not say many Republicans are angry with Bush. They said some SENATORS were angry. Most Republicans want Lott to step down as ML.

[dirtboy]

The american people do not need to be hit over the head with a sledge hammer.

Exactly. Lib hypocrisy is best served as a hors d'ourve to substantive conservative proposals, not as the main course.

[Redleg Duke]

Boy, nothing seems to be breaking the Dems' way these days!

[Peach]

And didn't they seem all too happy to report conflict within the ranks of Republican Senators.