Trent Lott Resigning

By Jeralyn, Section Other Politics
Posted on Mon Nov 26, 2007 at 01:46:12 PM EST
Tags: Trent Lott (all tags)

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Miss. Senator Trent Lott has announced his intention to resign his Senate seat by the end of this year.

"It's time for us to do something else," Lott said, speaking for himself and his wife Tricia at a news conference. Lott, 66, said he had notified President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour on Sunday about his plans. Barbour, a Republican, will name someone to temporarily replace Lott.

"There are no problems. I feel fine," Lott said.

His term ends in 2012.

He said he doesn't have a new job lined up and that new restrictions on lobbying that take effect after Dec. 31, 2007 "didn't have a big role" in his decision to retire. The regulations extend the "cooling off" period for lobbying by former members of Congress from one to two years.

He may feel fine, but this is awfully short notice. Is there more to the story or is it just about money? Jerome and Todd at MyDD have some details on the replacement process.

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Trent Lott Resigning | 10 comments (10 topical)

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Could it be (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by Alien Abductee on Mon Nov 26, 2007 at 02:28:23 PM EST

this?

Well, shoot, (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by scribe on Mon Nov 26, 2007 at 03:49:29 PM EST

why not?

It's been, what, two months since the last Republican Senatorial Sex Scandal? That's about a month too long, if you ask me....


hahahahahaha (none / 0) (#4)
by squeaky on Mon Nov 26, 2007 at 02:35:59 PM EST

During the campaign, he [Thurmond] said, "All the laws of Washington and all the bayonets of the Army cannot force the Negro into our homes, our schools, our churches."

....but in the closet is OK.


: Closets may not be involved (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by Alien Abductee on Mon Nov 26, 2007 at 02:49:08 PM EST

After wetsuits and diapers, who knows what's next on this score with Republicans?

: Whew (none / 0) (#6)
by Wile ECoyote on Mon Nov 26, 2007 at 02:48:40 PM EST

for a minute I thought is was a Byrd quote.

5 words (5.00 / 1) (#8)
by DA in LA on Mon Nov 26, 2007 at 03:27:26 PM EST

Introducing the Next Vice President...

I'm dubious (none / 0) (#1)
by scribe on Mon Nov 26, 2007 at 02:13:54 PM EST

The timing is just too sudden and propitious, particularly when viewed against the new lobbying rules going into effect at the end of December.

TPM, over here, has a video of his news conference and asks why, for the departure of the former Majority Leader of the Senate, there is no one save him there - no wife, family, friends, political allies, etc.? Listening to the tape, he repeatedly stresses the "there are no problems" line, unprompted, during his speech and before taking questions.

All of which leads me to believe (a) it's the lobbying restrictions, or there are "problems". Maybe he got The Word over turkey and stuffing Thursday.

New Lobbying Rules (none / 0) (#2)
by Gabriel Malor on Mon Nov 26, 2007 at 02:16:44 PM EST

It's the new lobbying rules, his protestations notwithstanding.

The gravy train.... (none / 0) (#5)
by kdog on Mon Nov 26, 2007 at 02:41:17 PM EST

almost left without Trent...tragedy averted:)

Lott is in trouble in MS (none / 0) (#10)
by jimakaPPJ on Wed Nov 28, 2007 at 09:42:28 AM EST

His position on Bush's amnesty for illegal aliens bill was very unpopular. As minority leader he could have refused to support it, instead he stuck to the party line. He is now paying the price.

Perhaps his "walking the plank," and Spitzer's finding out that 77% oppose driver's licenses for illegal aliens will send a message to the remainder of those who think they can do as they please.