Senator Trent Lott is elected as the Republican Party's number two in the Senate by a single vote

[ECH1969]

http://www.cnn.com/

[AlGore-08.com]

1. Here's the link to the article itself, with excerpt

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/15/congress.leaders.ap/index.html

Lott succeeds in leadership comeback

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Trent Lott, ousted as Republican leader in the Senate two years ago because of a remark considered racially insensitive, won election Wednesday to the party's No. 2 leadership post by a single vote.

Lott had campaigned to return to the Senate's center of power with a quiet but intense bid against Sen. Lamar Alexander for the vote-counting job of GOP minority whip.

Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was chosen unanimously by his Republican colleagues to succeed Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who did not seek another term, as the minority leader in the new Congress in January.

(more... )

[Alhena]

3. Part of me is glad about this ...

I'm enjoying the spectacle of Lott's crusade against the insurance industry now that he's been personally harmed by them. It's hypocrisy at its worst to be sure, since he was for the fat cats as long as he wasn't harmed personally by them. But still, I will root for just about anyone who is out to get insurance companies, so I'm glad Lott will have more power to do so.

[Ms. Clio]

5. more info, please, I hadn't heard this?

Crusade against the insurance industry? What's that about?

[Alhena]

13. Here's a story about his crusade against insurers ...

now that his precious home has been destroyed.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/12/business/12insure.html?ex=1318305600&en=8465fdfe6e733639&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

Insurers Get an Earful From Senator
E-MailPrint Reprints Save

By JOSEPH B. TREASTER
Published: October 12, 2006
Sometimes, political connections come in handy. Ask Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi.

Mr. Lott, a Republican and former majority leader, is one of thousands of homeowners on the Gulf Coast who have been fighting with their insurers over payments for damage in Hurricane Katrina. In an interview yesterday, he said he was angry about the insurers’ “insensitivity and outright meanness” in rejecting many homeowners’ claims.

He said he inserted a provision into legislation, signed by President Bush last week, directing the Department of Homeland Security to investigate potential fraud by the insurance industry. Mr. Lott said he was also drafting legislation to challenge the industry’s exemptions from antitrust laws and had asked his staff to investigate the industry’s tax rates.

“I am outraged,” he said. “I’m concerned there are lots of abuses in the aftermath of the hurricane.”

Mr. Lott’s claim for the loss of his $400,000 house in Pascagoula was rejected by State Farm.

Industry executives and lawyers denied that the insurers had engaged in fraud and some questioned whether Mr. Lott was improperly using his position in Congress.

“Given that the senator has a personal dog in the fight, his actions have the appearance of an abuse of power,” said Randy J. Maniloff, a lawyer in Philadelphia who represents insurance companies.

[Ms. Clio]

14. thanks for the link

I just knew it was going to be about the "rubbles" of his own home.

[Bake]

17. Pretty fucking stupid on State Farm's part!

"Let's see. Here's a claim from a rather powerful U.S. Senator ... I think I'll stamp that one "DENIED." No possible repercussions there ..."

I'm betting that adjuster is now unemployed.

Bake

[struggle4progress]

24. Another rich Republican who thinks he should be able to sue but poor folks shouldn't

[seasat]

25. IMHO, Lott's remark wasn't why he was originally replaced.

The Repugs only used his racial remarks as a means to get rid of him. Some Repugs were ticked that Lott compromised too much with our guys. Also Lott was not from the neocon group and Shrub Inc wanted their guy Frist in charge. I'm wondering whether Lott will work more or less with Democrats. He might be more combative because of the past criticism. He might also go to the other extreme and be extremely cooperative because of his vendetta against Shrub Inc. I hope he chooses the later, It'll make Reid's job easier and we can get our agenda through.

[kskiska]

4. He's got a lot of scores to settle

I remember how upset he was at becoming Minority Leader when Jeffords jumped. Now, after his racist remarks, he's glad to get this.

[Donnachaidh]

2. at least we KNOW he's a racist.

unlike the rest. :sarcasm:

[jpwhite]

6. if what you are doing doesn't work.....try something else!!

If the Republicans want to get congress back you think they would get some new leadership with fresh ideas. No, they choose the same old boring guys that used to be in charge. If what you are doing isn't working.....try something else!!!

Well, considering that it is the GOP maybe I should be happy about this....

James
[e-mail]

[Tight_rope]

15. Old dogs don't want to learn new tricks!

[shain from kane]

7. Time to buy a new rug, and retire that old flea-bitten one that looks

like a helmet.

[onehandle]

8. Big year for racists in the GOP. nt

[deadparrot]

9. Bwah! Let the hilarity ensue.

:rofl:

[radfringe]

10. A SINGLE VOTE?

HEH...closely divided party?

once again the repubs turn to environmental issues and recycle their leaders...

[gratuitous]

23. The GOP is NOT divided, so stop saying that

It's the Democrats who are divided, who can't get along with each other, who secretly despise one another and would shiv each other to move one more rung up the leadership ladder.

The GOP is not divided because they're all God-fearing, good Christian men (except for the ones who aren't men, but we don't think that's really their fault) with whom everyone wants to have a beer and cook some barbecue. So there!

Yeah, I'm sure CNN will be on this "divisions in the GOP caucus" thing.

[Jacobin]

11. Republics still after their fringe, I see

:rofl:

[loveandlight]

12. pulling their old tricks as a minority party

The only thing I am afraid of with this is that they will be trying to do their dirty tricks yet again, even from the minority position, and mess with whatever the Democrats are trying to do. I know they can any way, no matter who is in charge, but putting this relentless dirty cheating creep back in charge just makes it clear that they plan to fight tooth and nail the same as before. They haven't learned anything really from this past election nor taken any part of the message of the voters to heart. It's going to be a really tough time these next two years.

[depakid]

16. Yep- that's exactly what's going to happen

And Reid will keep coddling and enabling them all the way....:mad:

[hezekkia]

18. this should make for an entertaining couple of years

doesnt he hate the Bush Admin after they threw him under the bus? If only Strom were President, he'd be in hog-heaven.

:headbang:

[ProgressiveEconomist]

19. Poor Lamar Alexanter--he'd 'made an 18-month bid for the post',

according to http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/15/congress.leaders.ap/index.html .

Since Alexander's seat is up for election in 2008, this has to be great news for Harold Ford. Maybe perrennial Presidential hopeful Alexander finally will retire. At least another Ford run for the Senate in 2008 wouldn't be against a Republican party leader.

[hezekkia]

20. yeah, poor Lamar

:nopity::nopity::nopity:

[TankLV]

21. Ahh - the KKK partiy is back...

This should make for a fun congress...

[sweetheart]

22. They're proud of their white supremecists

Its a nazi thing, gotta love 'em, the bastards are their own worst enemies.

[progressoid]

26. Trent or Lamar? Jeez, what a choice!

[Lugnut]

27. Very interesting

They're really scraping the bottom of the barrel with that choice.

[phoebe]

28. don't think the repub. public aren't going to like this but that's what

Faux/Limbaugh et al. are hired for..be interesting to see just how long Lott can stay in control.

[FernBell]

29. kick this thread and KICK TRENT'S ASS!!!

[tinfoilinfor2005]

30. Sorry, but I'm all for anybody who wants to declare war against

the insurance companies. These crooked bastards should take morality lessons from the mafia.