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Racist Running for Senate

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]