Mississippi Christmas

Brendan Minter in the Political Diary says "Christmas Comes Early in Mississippi"

The scuttlebutt is that Trent Lott's departure will make it even more difficult for Republicans to pick up seats in next year's elections. Mr. Lott is the sixth Senate Republican to announce his retirement, meaning the GOP now will have to defend a total of 23 Senate seats next year, while Democrats will have to defend just 12. Not only is his departure a sign of insider skepticism that Republicans will be able to recapture control of the Senate anytime soon. When it comes to legislating, Republicans will also be without one of their more effective politicians in rounding up votes.

But there's ample reason for conservatives to view Mr. Lott's retirement as an early Christmas present. Though a strong supporter of tax cuts and the military, he also frequently behaved as a typical Congressional pork barreler during his the 34-year career. Just this month, he voted with 78 other senators to override a presidential veto of a $23 billion water-projects bill loaded up with 900 pork barrel projects. Mr. Lott, who presumably knew he didn't have to worry about reelection, still couldn't resist the urge to shovel money back home to make his contributors and lobbyist friends grateful.

Mr. Lott has also been a serious hindrance to conservatives in the crucial battle for tort reform. He's the brother-in-law of tort lawyer extraordinaire Dickie Scruggs, whom he joined after Hurricane Katrina in suing insurance companies for not paying off claims that were explicitly not covered in the insurance policies that Mr. Lott and other homeowners bought. Nor did he serve the conservative cause well with his careless remarks five years ago in praise of Strom Thurmond's 1948 presidential run, on a segregationist platform.

True to custom, President Bush nonetheless lauded the retiring senator for his services to Mississippi, while House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (another wishy-washy conservative) praised his friend for teaching him the tricks of the trade. Even insurance lobbyists wished the senator happy years ahead. In truth, though Mr. Lott is only 66, his departure means one fewer Republican remnant hanging in the way of building the party's future. Principled conservatives will have one fewer incumbent to apologize for. There's also little chance Democrats will capture Mr. Lott's seat in 2008, so, on the whole, his departure is a reason for conservative satisfaction.

One less incumbent to apologize for. Amen, Brother Brendan! Now when they put Senator Ted Stevens in jail, I will again be a proud Republican.

Posted by jk at November 27, 2007 1:45 PM