Good God, doesn't the man ever stumble across news with an up beat? York is reporting on the National Review website that Trent Lott is reportedly rounding up his henchmen - I mean, faithful. Both of my senators are in the unofficial roll call. I sent George Voinovich, progenitor of the murderous legislation House Bill 920, a letter:
Senator Voinovich, I urge you to reject the fraternal bindings of the United States Senate and to act in the interests of morality and conservatism by helping to oust Mississippi Senator and Majority Leader Trent Lott.For decades Mr. Lott has shown a disturbing intimacy with racist special interests. Since 1994 he has demonstrated political ineptitude and policy inertia; liberal Democrats have consistently outflanked him as if he cared little for a consistent, successful Republican agenda. Crowned by his inexplicably anachronistic statement at Senator Thurmond's birthday celebration, Trent Lott has simultaneously proven himself out of touch with America and self-centered to the point of political nihilism; best characterized by his abandonment of a conservative stance towards Affirmative Action when interviewed on Black Entertainment Televion.
If you, Senator, have spent any time surveying the national response from the Republican party, you will have noticed disproportionate outrage from the younger ranks. Young conservatives such as myself did not grow up with - or learn to tolerate - public displays of outright bigotry. We have no patience for a man who can manage to expose himself as morally questionable on ethnic matters, and then, in a shameless attempt to remain in power, risk the hobbling of his own party.
Trent Lott, should he fight against all reason for his own wants, will make himself a disgrace to the country; the credibility of the Republican Party will be tarnished irreparably, and it will most certainly lose the enthusiasm and loyalty of young Republican voters such as myself.
For whatever discomfort a Senatorial rallying behind Trent Lott might save in the short term, a gerater, horrific, political catastrophe will swell.
Regards, Michael Ubaldi
I doubt that even an important aide would read this (except for perhaps tallying pro-Lott votes). In that sense, writing the letter is more cathartic than anything else. My experience with Ohio Republicans is not flattering: my State Rep takes our votes for granted and my State Senator never seems to remember who I am, even though our meetings have been slightly memorable. And he talks like a funeral director.
At least the Iraq situation is turning out favorably. I'd say Lott's ousting just slipped from stable to guarded.