Since losing his job as GOP leader,
Sen. Trent Lott (R) "has used his encyclopedic knowledge of Congress
and deal-making prowess to remain one of the most effective members of
the Senate." UVA's Larry Sabato says Lott's resurgence has surprised those who had speculated he had
become too accustomed to "the comforts of power" to remain in the
Senate after losing his leadership post. Lott "says he plans to run for
re-election" and "may even try for a leadership post." He had nearly
$825K CoH as of 9/30, and he is raising money for his leadership PAC so
he can donate to other GOPers' campaigns. Lott: "You can be a leader
without having the title." Rules Cmte chair "is one of the
least-sought-after Senate jobs, but Lott has used it to expand his
influence." His view of the rough-and-tumble world" of DC politics will
be reflected in his memoirs, "Master of the Game." The book "is
expected to roll off the press next summer," and will cover how the WH
and Lott's GOP colleagues turned against him two years ago. Ex-Rep.
Espy (D) nephew/state Rep. Chuck Espy (D): "Make no mistake, Sen.
Lott's comments ... did damage him in the eyes of the nation, and his
comments ... were a very difficult pill for African-American community
members to swallow. But Trent Lott commands a great deal of respect and
has done a lot for the state as a whole. From the political aspect, he
can continue to lead. The only thing one has to do is apologize, and
he's done that" (Radelat, Jackson Clarion-Ledger, 12/13). [more]
On Dec. 5, 2002 at a birthday party for centenarian Sen. Strom
Thurmond (R-S.C.), Trent Lott praised Thurmond's run for president in 1948 on a
platform advocating racial segregation.
On BET, Lott repeatedly pledged support for
affirmative action, despite a record of voting consistently against it. Lott
also recanted his vote two decades ago against establishing a federal
holiday for civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and said he
would "listen to and talk to African American leaders" if he retains his Senate position.
He also said he would reconsider his ties to the Council of Conservative Citizens, a group attacked as segregationist.
All
of this after saying the nation wouldn't have all these problems today
if it had elected Strom Thurmond President in 1948 when Thurmond was
running a racist campaign.
Lott was the Republican leader of the Senate until he resigned last year. He is a freak.
Racist Trent Lott to keep low profile at GOP Convention [more]
