A detailed history of Trent Lott's "persuasions" as provided by The National Review. As if the unmistakable meaning of his words weren't abhorrent enough, Lott's deflective, almost Clintonesque, backhanded apology is both an admission of his bigotry and a defiance to his relinquishing of it.
And, as the Review reminds us, this is a man not known for political flair or success. He is, unfortunately, the most typical Senate Majority Leader one could imagine: tepid, tentative and more interested in august style than strong policy. The Review rightly looked to some inspirational GOP Senators like Bill Frist, Don Nickles and the inimitable Mitch McConnell, who by replacing Lott could actually take advantage of the Republican majority. But then, I'm sure Lott and his pals don't approve of, say, McConnell's wife.
Lott's an incompetent bigot. I want him out.