November 26, 2007
Trent Lott Announces Retirement
Trent Lott's leaving the Senate.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi, the Senate's No. 2 Republican, plans to resign his seat before the end of the year, congressional and Bush administration officials said Monday.Lott, 66, scheduled two news conferences in Pascagoula and Jackson later in the day to reveal his plans. According to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the announcement, Lott intends to resign effective at the end of the year.
Don't let the door hit ya.
Fellas, any thoughts on Lott's tenure?
How Trent Lott ended his political career:
The smooth-spoken Lott found himself in hot water in December 2002 after going too far in his praise of GOP Sen. Strom Thurmond at the South Carolinian's 100th birthday party. Lott said Mississippi voters were proud to have supported Thurmond when he ran for president on a segregationist platform in 1948, and added: "If the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years either."A few days later, Lott issued a statement saying he had made "a poor choice of words" that "conveyed to some the impression that I embraced the discarded policies of the past. Nothing could be further from the truth, and I apologize to anyone who was offended by my statement."
But the damage was done. President Bush distanced himself from Lott's remarks, telling an audience the comments "do not reflect the spirit of our country."
Lott then made a round of public appearances, apologizing for his gaffe. He called his remarks "insensitive" and said he regretted "reopening old wounds and hurting so many Americans." He also apologized on Black Entertainment Television and promised to use his position to help push through initiatives that would benefit minorities.
Lott later wrote in a book — "Herding Cats: A Life in Politics" — that President Bush hurt his feelings by disavowing the comments in a tone that was "devastating ... booming and nasty."
The South's past is so complicated and unresolved. Lots of touchy stuff yet to address.
Posted by anthony at November 26, 2007 09:12 AM | TrackBackI wonder why he's leaving... I bet it's just the fact that it's no fun being in the minority.
Posted by: tusc0n raider at November 26, 2007 01:54 PMIt's really, really odd that he's leaving so soon. I have no idea?
Posted by: Anthony at November 26, 2007 02:00 PMLott has had some issues with a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease. I think it's overshadowed the rest of him. I do find it very odd timing, though. I wonder what's going on in his personal life....
And while the South's past is complicated and unresolved (due in large part, I feel, to the assassination of Lincoln, but that's another thread), I'm not sure that the same issues are better resolved in other regions. We just aren't as good at hiding it, I suppose.
Posted by: dramaturge at November 26, 2007 08:39 PMThe best commentary I've read on this postulates that he wants quicker access to lobbying money. If gets out now he'll have to wait a year before taking a lobby job, if he waits longer he will have to wait two years.
Some estimates say he's worth a million a year as a lobbyist.
Yes, Senator Lott has made some errors,but we all have. Speaking as an proud American-Mississippins, who is and minister and black,he has serve this state well. No, I haven't agreed with him on every issue;but I believe he has done what he feels is right! And I pray that God will used and guide him ,to continue being a asset to Americans.
My concerns are who will take his place,for they will be watched closely by the entire country.