Trent Lott picked up some Senate endorsements Tuesday: Ted Stevens of Alaska and Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado.

Republican Conference Chairman Rick Santorum (Pa.) remains in his corner.

Lott needs 26 votes if a leadership election is held. Arlen Specter thinks he'll have them. So does Larry Craig and Mike Crapo. Most senators are not revealing their positions. Bush would like to see Bill Frist of Tennessee or another Republican take over.

Lott might be offered a chairship of another committee. A new leadership position might be created for him. These are some of the options under discussion.

"In an interview with ABC News yesterday, Lott said he will fight hard to keep his leadership post. "I'm a son of shipyard worker from Pascagoula, Miss.," he said. "I have had to fight all my life, and I'm not stopping now. . . . I think I need to work through this with everybody that's involved, including my colleagues. They have a right to tell me how they feel and what they suggest."

You can read more about Bill Frist's chances here.