Suspense growing amid Lott decision (to run or not in November)

[Maddy McCall]

WASHINGTON — Republicans and Democrats in Washington and Mississippi are eager to learn whether Sen. Trent Lott wants another six-year term, as his retirement could help throw control of the Senate up for grabs and mean a loss of political clout for his home state.

Lott is up for re-election in November. If he chooses to retire, he probably would set off a wild scramble for the seat he has held since 1989.

snip/

Third District Rep. Chip Pickering, a Republican from Flora, Miss., is likely to run for the Mississippi seat if Lott declines to run. But the race also could draw former Mississippi state Attorney General Mike Moore, who would prove to be a strong Democratic candidate.

A Pickering-Moore matchup would be the hottest Senate race the state has seen in decades, drawing millions of dollars from the national parties.

snip/

Lott has said his decision to seek a fourth term could come as early as this week, and would be based in part on the wishes of his family. (The article also states the Lott's decision will depend on whether he can regain his position as Majority Leader, since Frist has said that this will be his last year in the Senate. VERY interesting article.)

Much more at: http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060108/NEWS/601080352/1263

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My opinion: If Lott retires and our former Democratic AG Mike Moore runs, Moore will easily win the race--I feel that he will trounce Pickering. Moore is widely respected in the state, by Republicans and Democrats alike. Pickering carries the taint of receiving money from Abramoff--even though he donated the money to Katrina charities, the taint will stick.

So, in a nutshell, I hope that Lott retires, Moore runs, and Mississippi will have a new Democratic Senator.

[napi21]

1. WOW, I didn't know there was a Dem Michael Moore!!!

Isn't that the name of that wacko judge from Alabama who insisted on having that BIG 10 Commandment monument in front of his Court House?

[DarthDem]

19. That's Roy Moore . . .

. . . you're thinking of.

[still_one]

2. good analysis, thanks

[Olney Blue]

3. Yes, this will be interesting.

I personally believe Lott will seek one more term, and try to become
majority leader.

[Maddy McCall]

5. IF Lott decides to stay, then we will have a Democratic Governor.

Moore will run for Governor next election and he will trounce Barbour. Barbour's support from the RRR (Radical Religious Right) in this state is tepid, at best. He takes the blame for allowing casinos to come inland, and many righties broke rank with him over that.

Also, Barbour booted 60,000 people off of Medicaid last year. And he's tied to Bush, who, according to the last poll in the state, only holds 50% support here.

Moore is well-liked and respected by most all Mississippians. Even my brother, who's completely apolitical, said that he will fervently support Moore if he runs for Senator or Governor.

Moore will win the Senate seat if Lott retires. If Lott doesn't retire, he'll run for Governor and he'll win. He's been out of politics too long and is achin' to get back into it.

[Toots]

7. So will Lott run unopposed if he decides to run again?

I would love to see someone defeat Lott, not just win his vacated seat..

[Maddy McCall]

8. No. Already one Democrat has filed to run.

But I can't even remember his name...so he's relatively insignificant.

As long as Lott runs, Lott will win.

[Rowdyboy]

16. Hi, Maddy....Its state senator Erik Fleming....

Doesn't stand a bats chance in hell against Lott but he has my vote unless anyone with better chances gets in...

Here's his website

http://www.ls.state.ms.us/house/fleming.htm

[Maddy McCall]

17. Thanks, Rowdy.

And I, too, will vote for ANY Democrat against Lott. Wish it were Moore, though.

:hi: :pals:

[Olney Blue]

9. Good- Democratic governors are important. Mark Warner in Virginia

is a case in point. We need good democratic leadership at the state level
and Miss. sounds like an ideal place. Above, all, I hope that Mississippi can be
helped with its recovery. Do you think having Lott in the Senate would be to your
advantage- seeing that he probably has a fire under his belly about this?

[Maddy McCall]

11. I do think it's been Mississippi's advantage, having as powerful a...

senator as Lott in the aftermath of Katrina. He's taken some not-so-subtle jabs at the Bush administration about it's ineptitude as demonstrated during and after Katrina. He's not toed the party line. I do believe that he loves his state and Mississippi is his first loyalty and priority. But it's doubtful that he will ever hold the Senate leadership position again, and, since his house was destroyed in Katrina, his family may make him hold to his promise to retire and to tend exclusively to family needs now.

It's going to be interesting in the next couple of days. We will surely know by next Friday whether he will run or not.

I don't like Lott, but I do appreciate the work he has done for my state since Katrina, and I appreciate him standing up to Bush, even though part of his reason to do so was personal (after Bush left him hanging after the Strom Thurmond comment).

[Glorfindel]

4. From your mouth to God's ears...

what a wonderful thing that would be for poor old Mississippi!
:bounce:

[Maddy McCall]

6. I haven't checked statistics recently, but at least until very recently...

the majority of state and local elected offices were held by Democrats. Mississippi isn't as red as many would have you believe.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

10. Depends on whether his porch is fixed or not.

:eyes:

[Maddy McCall]

12. Actually, the political waltzing that's going on is much more interesting

than many people realize.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

13. If Lott and Frist step down, I'm very interested.

[DainBramaged]

14. My beloved's long departed Grandpa used to point out to his field

and say "one at a time" while crows ate his corn. I didn't understand it till much later on but he meant was the crows ate the corn from the stalk one cob at a time.

This could be such a case. The ramifications are huge. And if so many Corrupt Conservatives are pre-occupied that the RNC is unable to poke their fingers in the holes in the dam, we will win back much needed control of the Senate this coming November.

(Mind pictures. So beautiful. I miss the old coot):cry:

[FreakinDJ]

15. GO TO JAIL - DO NOT PASS GO - DO NOT COLLECT $200

I'm Lovin it

[bluestateguy]

18. Why would Picking lose?

Isn't he the perfect candidate for down there? Young, conservative, with the tousled hair, and he can turn on the pretend good ole boy charm.

[Sgent]

22. Mike Moore is a political God

If he really wanted to make a run of it, he could probably give Lott a good run for his Senate seat -- regardless of retirement.

Moore's last statewide election he won over 80% of the vote, and has broad constitencies in all corners of the state. IMHO if he had ran for Govenor against Barbour, he would be one of the top five Democrats for '08.

[Double T]

20. Trent and his toupee should both retire........

he surely will not be missed!!

[Olney Blue]

23. Can his toupee file for retirement benefits?

Like Medihair?

[mom cat]

21. Trent Lott and Jack Abramhoff....enjoy

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2006-02,GGLG:en&q=Trent+lott,+Jack+Abramoff&spell=1