Senator Trent Lott was one of the SINGING SENATORS- Lott, Ashcroft, Jeffries and Craig- who were the rage of the Republicans a few years back. That was when Lott was the majority leader of the Senate and before he stuck his foot in his mouth at Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday party. After his remarks became public, a firestorm erupted and the liberal media called for Lott's head on a platter. Instead of seeing that his own actions and poor judgment had undermined his leadership, resigning and recognizing HE WAS HIS OWN WORST ENEMY, he held on. That was until then Senator Don Nickles- R, OK, the Majority whip called for his resignation. Seeing he had lost the battle to remain at the top, Lott resigned but was obviously bitter. In his book, Herding Cats, Lott blamed everyone but himself for his troubles. If this guy would have done this- if that guy would have done that he would have remained in power. If IF AND BUTS WERE CANDY AND NUTS, WE WOULD ALL HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS. Lott is one of the reasons the Republicans don't have control of the Senate. He is petty, justifies everything he does, and whines when he doesn't get his way. The Republicans are better off without him.
Why he quit just 11 months before his term ended is a mystery? Lott's sudden resignation coincides with an FBI raid on his brother-in-law's office. Maybe that's a coincidence, and maybe it isn't. Back in August 2005, when Katrina wreaked its vengeance on the Gulf Coast. In addition to depopulating New Orleans, this unwelcome weather event had the gaul to knock down the Whining Senator's 154 year old beachfront home in Pascagoula, Mississippi. It also got his brother-in-law's home- Dickie Scruggs- who in addition to being Lott's brother-in-law was also Lott's neighbor. Lott filed a claim with his insurer, State Farm, but State Farm denied the claim, arguing that the culprit was not high winds, which the policy covered, but rather flooding, which the policy didn't cover. (Lott had separately purchased federal flood insurance, but that didn't come close to covering his losses.) Scruggs sued State Farm on Lott's behalf.
On November 28th, Dickie Scruggs and several associates, including his son Zach, were indicted on charges of conspiring to bribe a Mississippi judge with $40,000 to rule in their favor in a fee dispute related to the Katrina litigation. Perhaps Trent should learn the words to "Jailhouse Rock."
Governor Haley Barber will appoint Lott's replacement. The leading choices to replace him are Congressmen Chip Pickering- (R- Mississippi-3rd District) and Roger Wicker- (R-Mississippi- 1st District). An outside possibility is Lt. Governor Amy Tuck. The State Treasurer is a 32 year old named Tate Reeves who is another long shot. Whoever is appointed will have to run in November for a full six year term.
Barbour has announced that a special election to fill the remaining four years on Sen. Trent Lott's (R) term will happen next November, effectively ruling out the possibility of a 90-day special election next spring. "Pursuant to Mississippi law, specifically § 23-15-855 (1), of the Mississippi Code, once the resignation takes effect, I will call a Special Election for United States Senator to be held on November 4, 2008, being the regular general election day for the 2008 congressional elections," Barbour said in a statement.
In that same statement, Haley also ruled himself out as a candidate. "I will not be a candidate for Senator in the Special Election, and obviously, I won't appoint myself to fill the vacancy on an interim basis," Barbour said. Barbour will appoint a replacement for Lott within 10 days of the incumbent formally stepping down.
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