Lott continues to face criticism

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2002

Criticism of incoming Senate Majority Leader (R-Mississippi) continues to grow over his remarks that many attribute to an endorsement of racial segregation.

Democrats and some conservatives say Lott's apology wasn't enough. He referred to segregation as a "discarded" policy of the past but did not renounce it or racism, leading to calls for his resignation as the Senate leader.

Lott's remarks were aired live on C-SPAN last Thursday during a 100th birthday party for retired Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.). He used similar words in 1980 to praise Thurmond, whose 1948 presidential bid included a call to segregate the races.

"You know, if we had elected this man 30 years ago, we wouldn't be in the mess we are today," he said in November 1980.

Last week, he said: "When Strom Thurmond ran for president, we voted for him. We're proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years."

The Denver Post runs an editorial today titled: "Senator, your sheet's showing." "With a careless remark, Lott has disgraced his party, his state and the Senate," the paper writes.

Get the Story:
Lott Remarks on Thurmond Echoed 1980 Words (The Washington Post 12/11)
Lott Faces Growing Attacks Over Praise for Thurmond (The New York Times 12/11)
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' Editorial: Senator, your sheet's showing (The Denver Post 12/11)

Relevant Links:
Sen. Trent Lott - http://lott.senate.gov

Related Stories:
Lott apologizes for 'racist' remarks (12/10)