A Trent Lott observation

[BOSSHOG]

It sounds like I'll soon be getting a new Senator. No doubt a neanderthal appointed by a neanderthal. But I think Trent is leaving because he sees the GOP Senate becoming a smaller minority after next years elections and his "leadership" just can't stand that notion. Oh, no doubt he'll have a high falutin job waiting for him on K Street or he just needs to spend time with the family. But, ole Trent does not want to be just one little vote for the minority party and having to deal with a democrat in the White House. Good riddance.

[babylonsister]

1. I think and hope you're correct. And yes, good riddance! nt

[Ishoutandscream2]

2. I'm also hoping for a lot of dirt, Boss

We may find out about, ahem, some past transgressions. Wouldn't that be awesome?

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Did he ever finish rebuilding his house?

Maybe he is leaving to finish that so he and Bush can sit on the porch, like Bush talked about. :)

[Wickerman]

4. I think he "retirement" a scant year after his re-election speaks

volumes of his integrity. Surely, if it isn't for scandal purposes, he knew he was gonna head out. Running for re-election for an office you know you won't fulfill the term of is blatant misuse of taxpayer funds. Typical Rethuglican, exploiting the system for personal gain.

[BOSSHOG]

5. As a citizen of Mississippi I think it REAKS !!

Catch 22 squared. I'm glad he's gone so I'll have to deal with the reakiness, but his replacement will just be another klansmen in a business suit.

[hlthe2b]

6. Well, a scandal might be in the making; but I think K-street

is the likely explanation, since if he goes now, he only has to wait a year to lobby. Otherwise, the new law passed requires two years minimum. I'm sure being in the definite minority encouraged the decision, however, but I think he is purely cashing out.

[Wickerman]

10. exactly

and it's infuriating that he ran for re-election knowing he would be leaving. Money and party over principle. Oh yeah, he is a Republican, I'm being redundant, aren't I?

[Bake]

7. I'm glad he's leaving the Senate

But personally I wish both sides could get past the invective that has permated some of the other Lott threads. Having met him on a couple of occasions, he seems personally to be a pretty decent man (particularly after Katrina, which I think was a wake-up call to him). I know, he's made racist statements in the past. I know, also, that I disagree with him on just about every policy imaginable.

I'm not going to harbor ill will toward him.

Bake

[BOSSHOG]

15. Bake

I agree he can put himself off as a nice guy, but it galls me to no end to hear a Republican Senator say how they really can't stand how negative things have gotten in Washington. Have gotten? The GOP is the one and only reason things "have gotten" negative in Washington; and it really picked up steam in the Reagan years. Maybe we can get a (D) in the Senate next November.

[Bake]

17. I absolutely agree! The Pukes are the ones that turned it sour.

And Lott was part of that machine. We might have a shot at the seat if somebody convinces Mike Moore to run. I don't know of another Dem who could win it. But the talk in the capital is that he's looking at the Governor's job.

Bake

[Lex]

8. I was hoping for evidence of male hookers and free-basing . . .

I don't like that old sourpuss:

[MADem]

9. I have to say, BOSSHOG, that I am SURPRISED at this.

Trent always had his eye on getting that LEADER job back. And even as MINORITY LEADER, it's still "Leader." I had the impression he wanted to take that role back, and stick it in BushCo's eye--even after they left. I had the sense it was a matter of principle with him.

Trent, even though he can come off as pissy and partisan, is actually VERY collegial behind the scenes. He gets along with most of the Democratic caucus, because he understands the give and take of the Senate--he's almost 'old school' in that respect. That's why the Kerrys were the first to send him a planeload of shit when his house blew away.

I guess who you get, and for how long, depends to no small extent on WHEN Trent kisses the Senate goodbye:

Update: Under Mississippi election law, a 90 day special Senate election would be held if Lott formally resigns before the end of 2007.

But, that seems unlikely as a special election would put the seat in far more danger than if Barbour appointed a successor that would stand next November.

Since Lott has control over his formal resignation date, it seems likely he will wait until early January to make if official.

On the candidate front, an informed Republican source said Barbour's'choice is very likely to not be Rep. Chip Pickering, although no other obvious alternative was offered.

As for the Democrats, former state attorney general Mike Moore is still the top pick but Rep. Gene Taylor and former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove are also mentioned.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/11/lotts_resignation_would_touch.html

I gotta say, I'm surprised. I wonder if he's sick...or someone has some dirt on him?

[DemoTex]

11. 35 years of Lott is 35 years too many. Good riddance, indeed.

Now, let's sit back and see how this plays out.

:popcorn:


Lott (r) with his philandering buddy Gingrich (l)

[madokie]

12. someone else said it first and I'll re type it.

I wouldn't put it past ole haley to appoint himself, hey thats how we got our vp remember ;-) I remember hearing the dick say after all the looking he was the best man for the job ;-)
Hope you had a great turkey day as we did. My wifes birthday is the 24th so we always have a big assed birthday/thanksgiving party each year and this one was the bestest yet but then again I always say that. Oh I mustn't forget, the Hogs having kicked LSU ass got the weekend started off right too

[sam sarrha]

13. the rules change 1-1-08, preventing senators from immediately getting lucrative lobbying jobs with

their previous campaign supporters.. he will betray his electorate to take a job making millions a year...bribing senators and congressmen

[pansypoo53219]

14. maybe Twatt is the one

that was gonna have that sex scanal. pre-emptive. or he just THINKS he's the one.

[Oilwellian]

16. I suspect what you see in this picture has everything to do...

with Trent's sudden & unexpected resignation.


Two state legislators have been convicted in Federal court for accepting bribes from VECO. The FBI has video and audio evidence that reveal VECO executives shockingly handing out cash to those legislators in exchange for promises to roll back a tax on the oil industry. But that may only be the tip of the oily iceberg. NOW’s Maria Hinojosa learns that dozens more lawmakers are being eyed in the growing scandal, including one of the country’s most powerful politicians, Alaska U.S. Senator Ted Stevens. (Ahem, & Trent Lott?)

On edit: Good video on the scandal here:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/11/24/pbs-now-alaskan-oil-politics-the-corrupt-bastards-club