TheAgitator.com
A Lott Complication.
Sunday, December 15th, 2002Mitch McConnell brings up an interest potential roadblock to ousting Lott as majority leader: Lott’s likely to resign his Senate seat rather than serve as an ignominous back-bencher. That means his replacement would be appointed by Mississippi governor Ronnie Musgrove, a Democrat. That would put the Senate at 50-50, making a defection by Rhode Island Senator Lincoln Chafee all the more attractive.
This of course is no reason not to dump Lott. But it could deter a necessary gutless 26 Senators into keeping him around. Chafee has said publicly that his biggest fear about dumping Lott is that Lott might be replaced by “someone more conservative.” Chafee is obviously refering to Don Nickles, Rick Santorum, or Mitch McConnell. Which brings me back to what I’ve been saying all along — the GOP should look at Bill Frist. Telegenic, soft-spoken, he has the ear of the White House (Karl Rove is reportedly pushing for him), and he’s right on most issues, but without the icy image a McConnell or a Santorum projects. He’s smart, a rarity in an office that high, and he has a great relationship with Harold Ford, Jr., an emerging star of a black Congressman and probable future Senator.
Frist could do big things as the face of the GOP on Capitol Hill.
I’ve tried to concentrate on helping my children to understand the importance of character and how to truly recognize a hero. They are now in or preparing for their teen years and are struggling with who to look up to, who to trust, and who they see themsselves to be.
Then I see people pausing to contemplate whether somebody should remain as a leader after insulting some of my most valued friends, and then surrendering to any issue that the extreme left wants to paint as racial. I work in the social service system, and morn with those who are hurt and downgraded, but I also see the horrors that our system of “repairs” has created into “Institutions” (with a capital I) in the name of compassion.
Some families have lived for 4 or more generations without anyone having held a job, while they attempt to raise children in today’s world. These children are wonderful kids who “have a dream”, and success and confidence is what they need. So what do the Republicans do? They consider maintaining a leader in the name of majority politics, or what might happen if they do the honorable thing? Oh, “those awful Democrats might get the Senate once again.” Oh MY!!!! I’m a Republican leaning independent, who is often amazed at who is willing to shoot themselves in the foot for the short-term gain. What do they think is going to happen in 2 years if they keep Sen. Lott in his position? As I tell my kids… “I guess the question is: Who are we and what are we really trying to do? Doing what is right isn’t always the most “profitable” thing for those of us who can’t see a future. I hope they will look beyond the box they have created for themselves and see the world for what it is. A lot of struggling people who are potential friends if we are willing to sacrifice our pride and uphold their honor in the toughest of decisions. I do hope Sen. Lott is “redeemed” and has worked his way out of the dark box he closed the world out with, but even if he has changed, that doesn’t mean he needs to maintain his leadership position at this time. I call upon the Republicans to stand in honor and courage, and to carry out a heroic deed by doing what is necessary and avoid the view of expediency.