In an official announcement that could come today, Trent Lott will be stepping down from his Senate seat at the end of this year. The Governor of Mississippi, Haley Barbour will appoint his successor that will serve until next year when an election will be held to see who be the next elected Senator until 2012, since Trent was re-elected only last year.
From TPM:
Lott, 66, scheduled two news conferences in Pascagoula and Jackson 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.
No reason for Lott's resignation was given, but according to a congressional official, there is nothing amiss with Lott's health. The senator has "other opportunities" he plans to pursue, the official said, without elaborating. The senator is serving his fourth Senate term.
Lott's colleagues elected him as the Senate's Republican whip last year, a redemption for the Mississippian after his ouster five years ago as the party's Senate leader over remarks he made at retiring Sen. Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday party in 2002. Lott had saluted the South Carolina senator with comments later interpreted as support for southern segregationist policies.
Oh yes, that little outburst back in 2002 sure did cost Senator Lott quite a bit. According to his book, he was shocked that President Bush condemned his comment about wishing for the old segregationist days (how dare he!). It was probably on par for him seeing what kind of response George showed for his neighbors that were wrecked by Hurricane Katrina.
Okay, Katrina was far, far worse in anyone' eyes. Perhaps Trent finally saw the error of the Republican way of dealing with government's relation with the people. When it comes down to it, less government means less services, including federal (and state) responses to disasters. If there isn't any money in the people's bank, then nothing will get done. That was surely evidenced at the end of August of 2005 and it still shows down on the Gulf Coast.
Even though he is only 66 and not in bad health, Trent is leaving disaffected by what was going on with him and his fellows leadership of our country. Oh and that new lobbying rule could be playing a factor in the decision as well. Now there must be a new way. Rep. Chip Pickering is being touted as a replacement, being his protegé and all, but is that what Mississippi and the Senate needs?
I beg to differ, and we might just see that Mississippi does as well, especially with people like Mike Moore being so heavily favored by many in that southern state.
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