[Vision2020] Lott/Law

Tue, 17 Dec 2002 11:01:25 -0800

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Dear visionaries, 
As much fun as it might be to slice up Tom Hansen's words, particularly
the hate speech parts, let me just make a few comments as a disinterested
observer. 
It is very interesting to me that many of the voices calling for Lott to
step down are voices from Lott's right (e.g. National Review).
Their strategy is easy to see if you take the broad view. Many
progressives have fallen for their own propaganda, meaning that in their
view anyone to the right of Sen. Jeffords is a Nazi. This prevents them
from seeing that Lott is simply a typical politico, of the squishy soft
variety. He has about as many principled positions as a bowl of pudding
does. Many die-hard conservatives want him out, and the national hubbub
over this has given them the perfect cover to accomplish it. 
But there is another wrinkle. Not having principles doesn't mean that
Lott can't play hardball -- when personal interests are at stake. His
supporters have let it be known that if he is forced out as Senate
majority leader, then he will resign the Senate altogether. That means
that a Democratic governor will replace him, no doubt with a Democrat.
And if Chafee then pulls a Jeffords and goes over to the Democrats, then
the Senate goes back to the Dems. It will be interesting to see if the
Republicans will call Lott's bluff. 
I just wish that Lott had chosen to read a homosexual poem just before he
goosed Strom. Then everything would be fine, and the Washington Post
would be rallying to his defense. 
Cordially, 
Douglas Wilson 
 
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