For more than three decades, Trent Lott has been an outstanding advocate in the United States Congress for the people of Mississippi. With service in the Republican leadership in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, he has skillfully advanced legislation and effectively championed key principles of our party, including low taxes and a strong national defense.
11/26/07 7:42pm UPDATE: Confusion exists over the Governor's special election proclamation. Curtsy to: The Hill.
In an exception to the 90-day rule, the law says the governor “shall designate” the special election for the same day as the general election if a vacancy occurs the same calendar year as a statewide election. Mississippi had a statewide election earlier this month, so Barbour would be setting the special election for the next statewide election in 2008.
11/26/07 4:13pm UPDATE: Remarks by Congressman Roger Wicker (R-MS):
Wicker said Lott’s contributions to our state “have been immense,” listing Lott’s work on transportation and economic development issues. “The Senator was especially effective in advocating for Mississippi in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Even as he coped with the loss of his home, he was a force in helping secure the resources Mississippi needed to get back on track.”
The Congressman said, “It has been a privilege to know and work with Trent Lott for 35 years. I worked for him on his staff and later with him as a colleague. He will leave a legacy of leadership and accomplishment that will be hard to match.”
11/26/07 2:34pm UPDATE: Potential Senate Minority Whip post names being floated on The Politico:
Senator John Kyl (R-Ariz.) - has already announced he will seek the position
Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.)
Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas)
11/26/07 1:43pm UPDATE: More names being floated via The Magnolia Report and Y'all Politics and Chris Cillizza on WaPo blog - The Fix:
State Party Republican Chairman Jim Herring (R-MS)
Recently re-elected State Treasurer Tate Reeves (R-MS)
Recently defeated candidate for State Attorney General, Al Hopkins (R-MS)
Judge Charles Pickering (Chip's father)
Former Governor Ronnie Musgrove (D-MS)
U.S. Congressman Gene Taylor (D-MS)
Former Representative Mike Espy (D-MS)
11/26/07 12:59pm UPDATE: Statements from Governor Haley Barbour (R-MS) and Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Congressman Chip Pickering (R-MS) via the Wall Street Journal and the Clarion-Ledger; A special election will be held November 8, 2008.
"Trent Lott has been a great Senator," Mr. Cochran said in a statement today. "He has been a distinguished leader not only for our state but also for the nation."3RD DISTRICT U.S. REP. CHIP PICKERING
[...]
Sen. Haley Barbour, himself a Republican, said today he will name an interim replacement for Mr. Lott within 10 days after his resignation takes effect and a special election will be held Nov. 4, 2008, to pick a more permanent successor for the remainder of Mr. Lott's term ending in 2012.
Mr. Barbour said he will not be a candidate in the special election and "obviously, I won't appoint myself to fill the vacancy on an interim basis."
“Senator Lott is a great statesman. He has served our nation and Mississippi with devotion, energy, and passion. He has been a mentor to me and I have learned much from him. I will always be grateful for my friendship and service with him. I am proud to have worked for him as a staff member and with him as a member of the Mississippi delegation. He is a legislator in the truest sense and has been influential in many of the critical moments in the modern history of our republic. His story is one of outstanding leadership, tireless advocacy and triumph over adversity. I know his future will be bright and I wish him and his family all the best as they embark on this new chapter.”Also, playing into the mix is the voter ID requirement deadline issued by U.S. District Judge W. Alan Pepper. I guess this means there will be no primary election for that seat in November 2008 and the race will be completely open regardless of the number of candidates seeking the vacancy.
A federal judge says he won't delay his requirements that Mississippi adopt a party registration system and enact a voter identification law in time for the 2009 elections.Hopefully we will get more information from Governor Barbour on the specifics in the coming days.
The latest decision by U.S. District Judge W. Allen Pepper came Nov. 15. It means plaintiffs and defendants who had sought a delay in the requirements must now hope for a swift ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.
11/26/07 11:33am UPDATE: Press conference summary courtesy Sun-Herald:
"I wanted have this opportunity again today and thank you for these 35 years in the Congress. It's been a great honor and privilege to represent people of Mississippi in 5th Congress District and now the Senate."11/26/07 10:50am UPDATE: Info on potential replacements can be found below.
Lott said he has worked hard and still felt strongly about a strong military, fiscal responsibility, job creation, better education and improved infrastructure in the state.
"We've made a lot of progress in that area and I will continue work on it until my last day in Senate and for the rest of my life."
Lott said a sermon he heard at First Baptist Church in Jackson on Ecclesiastes seemed to speak to him and his wife, Tracey[sic - Tricia].
"It just seemed to be speaking to me and to us," he said. "It's been a great experience for these 35 years. But I think there's time left for us to do something else. There were 30 members of our family for Thanksgiving and I realized once again missed lot opportunities to spend time with family.
"So at this time, we are announcing today that I am retiring from the Senate effective end of this year."
For those who are wondering about Congressman Chip Pickering's (R-MS) record on immigration, his report card can be found here. He gets a big D on the recent vote on amnesty.
Here is Congressman Roger Wicker's (R-MS) report card. He gets a big D on amnesty voting too.
Former state Attorney General Mike Moore (D-MS) has also been floated as a potential replacement. You may remember Moore. He was the infamous AG who sued 'big tobacco' along side trial lawyer, Dickie Scruggs. Scruggs is Lott's brother-in-law. Moore has been out of public service for nearly 5 years, biding his time to run for the U.S. Senate.
11/26/07 10:13am UPDATE: Blogosphere reactions - OUCH!
Slublog at AoSHQ - Senator "Let Them Eat Cake"' to resign.
Au revoir, porky.Blue Crab Boulevard - Trent Lott Retiring.
I can't say as I would miss Lott, who has been a defender of pork-barrel spending.Michelle Malkin - Trent Lott Resigning.
See ya. Buh-bye. DLTDHYOTWO (Don’t Let The Door Hit You On The Way Out)!AllahPundit at HotAir - Trent Lott to resign?
After almost 20 years of spooning out pork, it’s time for him to get fed.Captains Quarters - Lott to retire
Still, Lott will most likely be remembered for his arrogance and his inability to adapt to the paradigms of open government in the Internet/blogosphere era. He staunchly defended an old tradition of trading power and influence at a time when America finally started to see the costs inherent in those mechanisms. Lott could have led the Republicans to adapt to the new reality and become the vanguard of ethics reform and smaller government, but instead remained entrenched in the trappings of a vanishing era. When challenged, he lashed out instead of listened, and now he walks away with little credibility left.It seems there is no love lost for Mississippi's native son. Arguably Lott has done a lot for Mississippi - but perhaps too much pork (i.e., the train to nowhere), the Shamnesty legislative support, and his outspoken remarks about talk radio running America have caused the tides to turn. I think if Mississippi would ever promote self-induced term limits on their elected officials, there would be representation in the Beltway. No one ever runs against the incumbents in that state and succeeds in unseating them, no matter how hard they may try. This applies to Democrats and Republicans.
11/26/07 9:54 am UPDATE: This is the Mississippi Code which dictates how Lott's position can be filled. Assuming I'm interpreting correctly, the Governor gets to decide and it appears because of the length of time left in Lott's term, he can appoint temporarily and then hold a special election. It also depends on whether the Senate is in session on Lott's effective date. [Emphasis mine]
(1) If a vacancy shall occur in the office of United States Senator from Mississippi by death, resignation or otherwise, the Governor shall, within ten (10) days after receiving official notice of such vacancy, issue his proclamation for an election to be held in the state to elect a Senator to fill such unexpired term as may remain, provided the unexpired term is more than twelve (12) months and the election shall be held within ninety (90) days from the time the proclamation is issued and the returns of such election shall be certified to the Governor in the manner set out above for regular elections, unless the vacancy shall occur in a year that there shall be held a general state or congressional election, in which event the Governor's proclamation shall designate the general election day as the time for electing a Senator, and the vacancy shall be filled by appointment as hereinafter provided.11/26/07 9:37 am UPDATE: Press conferences are scheduled as follows:
(2) In case of a vacancy in the office of United States Senator, the Governor may appoint a Senator to fill such vacancy temporarily, and if the United States Senate be in session at the time the vacancy occurs the Governor shall appoint a Senator within ten (10) days after receiving official notice thereof, and the Senator so appointed shall serve until his successor is elected and commissioned as provided for in subsection (1) of this section, provided that such unexpired term as he may be appointed to fill shall be for a longer time than one (1) year, but if for a shorter time than one (1) year he shall serve for the full time of the unexpired term and no special election shall be called by the Governor but his successor shall be elected at the regular election.
11:00 a.m. at the LaFont Inn in Pascagoula
3:00 p.m. at the Edison Walthall Hotel in Jackson
11/26/07 7:48 am UPDATE: Lott has scheduled two press conferences today.
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.11/26/07 6:23 am
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.
According to sources at MSNBC, Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) intends to resign from the Senate before his term expires.
NBC News has learned that Trent Lott's in the midst of informing close allies that he plans to resign his senate seat before the end of the year. It's possible a formal announcement of his plans could take place as early as today.While watching MSNBC's Morning Joe this morning, I heard the announcement. This is huge. Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) had just announced recently his intent to run for re-election. Depending upon the rules in Mississippi, there will likely be a special election. Mentioned as a possible reason for Lott's departure on the show was the new lobbying rules which take effect in January that prohibit lawmakers from taking a lobbying position for two years after leaving office.
Coincidentally, Congressman Chip Pickering (R-MS) announced in August, his decision not to seek re-election next year, causing a vacancy and a slew of candidates to fill that Republican-dominated 3rd district seat. Will Pickering, a close ally of Lott, seek his vacant seat?
Pickering had expected to run for the Senate by this time, either for the seat of Sen. Trent Lott (R) or Sen. Thad Cochran (R). But Lott surprised observers by seeking reelection in 2006, and Cochran appears to be running for another term next year. That would keep Pickering in the House for an extended period, which may explain his decision.This will make for interesting politics in the Magnolia State. Let's see what happens later today and what statements will be made by Lott, Pickering, and Governor Haley Barbour (R-MS).
Pickering's exit from Congress doesn’t mean that he will not run for the Senate when a Mississippi Senate comes open.
It's no surprise that Haley's trying to rewrite (or ignore) the law on this one. After all, he's a repub.
If Lott wants to bail (one year after telling the people of Mississippi that he was going to stick around) in time to be able to cash in as a lobbyist under the old rules (one year waiting period, instead of two), he's gonna have to bail in 2007.
In this scenario, the law's quite clear - Haley's got ten days to issue his proclamation, and 90 days to hold an election. Period.
Sure, he'd much rather hold a senate election along with the general in November when the turnout will be higher than for a special-only in late March/early April.
But Haley's not above the law (one would think, but that's the typical repub stance - laws are for suckers).
If Lott resigns after January 1, then Haley will be able to wait until November for an election - BUT Lott will also have to wait another year before he bellies up to the trough.
And you know Lott is just panting at the chance to make big lobbyist money sooner instead of later.
This one's going to court, if you ask me.
Belle, I think you are fixating a bit on this.
Snarkle, I don't lump all Democrats into the left wing nut pile. Please don't snidely announce that all Repubicans are evil. I know of many that aren't.
Never mind Snarkle, after reading your blog, I must lump you into the left wing nut pile. All that hatred and anger will eat you up inside. I would try to talk rationally with you, but you will probably just dump a lot of rhetoric, vitriol and fould language here and on my blog.
Well, thanks for your concern Ron, but it isn't "hatred and anger."
Wingnuts just piss me off. The way I see it, if you're not pissed off, you're not paying attention.
My own take on Lott et al is here. Come join the lively discussion ;^)
It may go to court because of the legal interpretation issue - depending on the date (and maybe even time) that Lott submits his "official notice" to the Governor.
When I first read the code, I thought the election would be held at the same time at the GOP primary in March. That doesn't allow much time for anyone not already with name recognition to campaign for Lott's seat - or raise funds to run a healthy campaign. The Democrats have acknowledged it would be difficult too.
Here is the scenario being floated:
If Lott's official notice is dated 12/31/07 11:59pm, then the vacancy would technically occcur at 12:00am on 1/1/08, which would allow the Governor to hold the special election in conjunction with the November 2008 general election, as provided in the statutes. Lott squeaks under the lobbying requirement changes too.
Another point of view is that since MS Democrats are mostly moderates and conservatives with D's behind their names, most of them wouldn't want to be on the ticket with Senator Clinton, should she win the Democratic nomination for President. It would be the kiss of death for a Mississippi Dem. I don't think they relish the short period of time for a race in March 08 either. It's a tough place to be for them, regardless.
I'm not naive enough to believe that all this wasn't well thought out by all the GOP parties involved. Lott and Barbour have been around a long time and they are both shrewd when it comes to political strategy. That being said, I take issue with the generalizations made about Republicans rewriting laws or breaking them. All elected officials use their interpretation of the law to their advantage.
Snarkle - I remain critical of elected officials in both political parties. A closed mind never learns anything. I suggest you read my mission statement. (and thanks for keeping it clean on my blog, whether you think I deserve that respect or not)
Ron, I don't think I'm fixating, but thanks for the viewpoint. I blogged on other topics yesterday in conjunction with this topic. It was a lead story with lots of interesting twists and developments. To me it was similar to live blogging a debate or other big current event. I'll try not to let it dominate today's news and views.
But just wait until the nominees are chosen for president - then I'll be fixated. :P
Belle, I was kidding about the fixating.
"I remain critical of elected officials in both political parties."
Oh, yeah, the old "but both sides do it" dilemma. What's a thinking person to do?
On the one hand, we have a political party that routinely makes overt electoral appeals to racism, homophobia, and religious intolerance (and whose entire "southern strategy" depends on furthering and exploiting racial divides; that sanctions the invasion and occupation of another country as a matter of foreign policy; that ignores and subverts constitutional rights; and that has overseen the massive transfer of wealth from the middle class to the ultra-rich.
A party whose members don't even try to hide their greed (see Trent Lott).
And on the other hand...?
It's not even close, if you ask me.
Buzz! Wrong answer, Snarkle. The media is the one that enjoys promoting racial division with emphasis on white, southern Republicans. I observe racism from all ethnicities, in all regions and in all political ideologies. I'm not in denial that it exists across the board, but you refuse to accept that reality. Some of the most racist people I have met are Yankees but think they get a pass because they are not regionally located where civil rights were in such a huge dispute.
Please show me documentation in the last 5 years where the GOP's entire political strategy is invested in exploiting racial division. Examples would be national, state or local GOP platforms which emphasize this whole "southern strategy."
I won't accept this whole "you're white, southern and Republican" guilt you somehow think I am supposed to carry through life like a big scarlett letter. It doesn't work like that with me.
I am not a Lott apologist, but are you suggesting if elected officials TRY to hide their greed, that somehow gives them moral authority? Come on. Greed is greed - overt or covert.
Do you approve of Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) who dropped a cool $3 million earmark in the DoD appropriations bill for a golf program? Or what about Senator Inouye (D-HA) who thought taxpayers should pay $2 million for Brown Tree Snakes in the DoD bill? I took on both parties when I analyzed the committee report on this bill on previous blog posts. What did you do? Did you point the finger at the GOP?
Democrats ignore 2nd Amendment, 10th Amendment and 1st Amendment rights all the time. Restricting states' rights, implementing gun control laws and promoting the Fairness Doctrine.
Democrats did and still do fund the GWOT. They supported actions in Iraq. They say they oppose it, but most of their votes don't reflect it. If so, we would have our troops here.
Why didn't the Dems refuse to continue with the FISA legislation in the House which didn't include any opportunity for amendments, when the GOP inserted a clarification that sent it back to committee? They were afraid. If they meant what they said, they would have passed it anyway.
If the middle class was wealthy, how would they be middle class? I'm in the middle class bracket based on my income, and I'm sure better off financially now that I was 8 years ago. The entire tax structure stinks. Limousine liberals have it rough on the backs of the middle-class too. Aren't a lot of millionaires supporting Democrat candidates this election cycle?
There's your other hand.
financially now than* (not that)
Wow. That rant of yours deserves a detailed response. I think I'll make it the subject of my next blog post, and I'll let you know when it's up.
The limo libs push welfare to keep the lower class in the lower class. Republicans push for the lower class to work hard to improve their lot. We believe hard work and self improvement is much better than a handout.
Snarkle,
It wasn't a rant but a verbose response to YOUR mischaracterization of the GOP. It was calling you out on your one-sided viewpoints. You didn't really believe that I would let that go unchallenged, did you? Tsk. Tsk.
Differences of opinions are welcome here, but there is an expectation that you will be willing to defend your position here civilly, while maintaining an open mind.
If you want to write on your own blog how you feel about my comments, feel free to do so. However, I will not allow you to post links to your reponse in my comments section. They will be removed. No soliciting your troll blog here. Blog owner's prerogative and stuff like that... :)
You have trashed many of my other conservative blogging friends on your blog and I predicted to one of them that I would be your next target. I love being correct (and irresistable). :P I wish I could say it has been an honor.
One of them actually warned me about you and gave me some really sage advice. It was something like this.
"Don't argue with a fool. The spectators can't tell the difference."
So with that, I'm done arguing with you.
To my spectators, I hope you know the difference now.