Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi, the Senate's No. 2 Republican, plans to resign his seat before the end of the year, congressional and White House officials said today.
Lott, 66, scheduled two news conferences in his home state later in the day to reveal his plans. According to congressional and White House officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the announcement, Lott intends to resign effective the end of the year.
Two odd things here: (a) he's not merely announcing an intent to retire at the end of his current term, but to resign within weeks; and (b) the announcement was leaked from the White House.
Conservative bloggers aren't exactly heartbroken over Lott's exit, with Michelle Malkin bidding him "DLTDHYOTWO" ("Don't Let the Door Hit You On the Way Out").
Lott's defense of pork-barrel spending and his support of the "shamnesty" immigration bill — including his attack on the talk-radio "problem" — alienated many conservatives.
More reaction at Memeorandum, Jammie Wearing Fool and Instapundit.
— Robert Stacy McCain, assistant national editor, The Washington Times
Comments (9)
Good riddance, traitor.
Posted by rktkr | November 26, 2007 10:35 AM
Good riddance. Fake conservative treasury raiders are not what the Republican party needs to try and make a comeback. Lott and his miserable worthless cronies have squandered the decades of struggle that the Reagan Republican rank and file went through to get a solidly Republican government in place.
We had all three power centers and those phonus balonus 'conservatives' that we elected, like the unlamented Mr.Lott, failed to prosecute the culture war and dismantle the liberal establishment. All they ever wanted was their thirty pieces of silver.
Posted by Jim B. | November 26, 2007 10:37 AM
Trent Lott-RINO--see ya
Posted by Mike | November 26, 2007 11:16 AM
AMF!!!!!
Posted by M algore | November 26, 2007 12:58 PM
Trent Lott never compromised with Democrats, he acquiesced to them. He assumed a fetal position at the slightest bit of Democrat opposition. Good riddance. Let's hope Mississippi sends a real conservative to Washington. I would'nt buy a used car from the heavily hair-sprayed, beltway-speak stereotypical politician. As for his complaint about talk radio and the whole immigration amnesty debacle, Mr. Lott like all politicians - even the good ones - received a much needed reminder that he works for the voters. We are the boss, and every now and then we rise up and remind these dilletantes who they work for! Fair travels Mr. Lott. DLTDHYOTWO!
Russell A. Smith
Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, Retired
Posted by Russell A. Smith | November 26, 2007 9:03 PM
Could it be that he thinks that K Street pays a lot more than Congress? Hmmm.....
Posted by Frank Staheli | November 26, 2007 11:01 PM
His shameful performance by way of caving to the Dems during the impeachment trial and his soft gloving on many matters toward Daschle will not be forgotten. Go along to get along my rear end; when you have assumed political power, you advance it by way of your true party principles and let the voters decide from there. Let's hope Mississippians are smart enough to put a genuine conservative in Lotts place.
Posted by steve sibold | November 26, 2007 11:05 PM
The Republican Party needs an urgent clean up,
should have started 20 years ago!!!!!!
LOTT IS NOT THE ONLY ONE!!!!!
Posted by John Marias | November 26, 2007 11:29 PM
Trent Lott was a one of several old school politicians that could not keep up with the political correctness of transition politics. He failed to notice that every time an issue arose, he was not prepared to counter the blame politics. In trying to accomodate it, it created an oscillation between spin and truth and has locked the Congress for six years. It became, and still is a battle of attrition and I think he's just tired. As always, it's going to take someone who has been in the fight with these guys to break the grid, not someone who has been out of it or above it. He has served with honor, so he deserves better than "DLTDHYOTWO". We continue to turn our backs on these guys, no one with any integrity will support our values.
Posted by Larry Stone | November 27, 2007 12:10 AM