What U.S. papers say about Lott

New York Times

Senate Republicans seem to agree that Trent Lott's future as majority leader must be decided one way or the other before the new Congress convenes in January, but some of them remain under the illusion that Mr. Lott commands sufficient respect to hold the post. He does not. His Republican colleagues should not be mollified by Mr. Lott's strenuous efforts to atone for his repugnant suggestion on Dec. 5 that the country would have been better off had it accepted Strom Thurmond's segregationist agenda in 1948. The Mississippi Republican has now issued five apologies for that remark, each more extended and abject than the last, including an appearance last night on the Black Entertainment Network, a forum where one would not expect him to appear unless his job were in grave peril. However contrite Mr. Lott may now be, Senate Republicans would be doing themselves, their party and the country a huge favor by dismissing him and finding another leader. ...

Ari Fleischer, the press secretary, went out of his way yesterday to reaffirm Mr. Bush's disappointment with Mr. Lott's "offensive and repugnant" remarks, while other White House sources began spreading the word that Mr. Bush would not be at all unhappy to see a less controversial figure like Senator Bill Frist of Tennessee in the leadership job. Of course, things would move a lot faster toward that desirable conclusion if Mr. Bush made clear what he wanted.

Washington Times

The selection of the Senate Republican leader is up to the Republican senators, but events are trending badly against Trent Lott, in substantial part because of what Mr. Lott has said and done since the story broke. Last week this newspaper, with other conservative editorial pages, rebuked the senator for his indefensible statements. ...

In a few weeks, the Republican senators will assemble to resolve the matter. They will have to balance these hard political facts against the sentiments of loyalty, fairness and the natural displeasure of being bullied by an opponent. While politics is not sentimental, it is nonetheless a very human activity. It has been particularly painful to many people in the last two weeks -- to a chastened Trent Lott as well as to millions of Americans of all colors.

Seattle Times

Republican Sen. Trent Lott is unfit to lead his party as majority leader in the new Congress.

Lott can resign or face being deposed by his GOP colleagues, a virtual certainty on Jan. 6.

Either way, Lott must go. The Mississippi senator does not represent the values of his party or the leadership of this country. ...

Lott is threatening to leave the Senate if he steps down. His clear threat is that a Democratic appointment by Mississippi's Democrat governor could create a 50-50 Senate tie. Everyone, including the White House, is willing to take that chance.

Lott must go.

Chicago Tribune

One of the few gratifying things about the Trent Lott controversy has been the quickness of his friends to repudiate his offensive sentiments.

After he praised Strom Thurmond's 1948 campaign for president, which was aimed at preserving white supremacy, conservative commentators were among the first to condemn the sentiment and to call on Lott to step down. President Bush rebuked the Senate Republican leader last week, and Monday, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer conspicuously refrained from saying Lott should keep his leadership post. ...

Republicans can't and shouldn't abandon their basic political philosophy, which many blacks don't share. But they can purge the lingering remnants of prejudice in their ranks.

Bush has made a good start in changing black perceptions of the party. Getting rid of Lott would help as well. But removing the distrust of African-Americans is a job that will take years, if not decades.

As the Lott embarrassment shows, the party needs to make it a priority.

San Diego Union-Tribune

Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., should do the right thing and resign his position as incoming majority leader.

Lott's incredibly insensitive comments at a tribute for Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., do not make him a racist or segregationist. They make him insensitive and foolish. ...

Perception is reality in politics. And the sulfurous perception that Lott is a segregationist sympathizer, however unfair that may be, makes it impossible for him to remain as majority leader. ...

When Gov. George W. Bush won the GOP presidential nomination in 2000, he correctly challenged his party to make a concerted effort to become more inclusive. Sen. Lott's thoughtless remarks have set back that effort. His resignation as majority leader will help get it back on track.

(Compiled by United Press International)