[patj]

I don't approve of what Lott has said, but he has apologized over and over. I am not ready to side with the Democrats and the NY Times over this. It seems that a lot of people that piled on Lott for having no spine, don't show much spine themselves when one of their own is attacked.

[monocle]

While I agree with you in principle on the firestorm of the NYT, the Republicans must factor in the impact of a continuuing leadership under Lott. Whether it is fair or not or justified or not, a cloud of racism will hover over the Republicans and in the matter of judicial appointments this could be decisive. There are times when we have to play cards dealt us, even if the deck is stacked as in this case.