The American Spectator

p> WHO WILL LEAD THE SENATE? br> Five days after Sen. Majority Leader Trent Lott made his unfortunate comments regarding the political heritage of the Dixiecrats, Republicans on Capitol Hill and conservatives in Washington and around the country are discussing how best to call for Lott’s stepping aside as Senate leader. /p>

According to a knowledgeable Republican source, GOP members of both houses are extremely concerned that Lott’s comments have so derailed the momentum gained from the 2002 elections that it would be impossible to come in in January, make numerous political confirmations for the executive branch, and begin planning a legislative agenda that would include accelerating the Bush tax cuts and pushing through a prescription drug plan for seniors.

Even more upsetting to Republicans is the realization that Lott’s comments may make it virtually impossible for them to bring a number of controversial judicial nominations to the Senate floor successfully.

Republican Senate staffers meeting over lunch and in the hallways of Capitol Hill have already begun throwing out successor names, such as outgoing Republican Whip Don Nickles, incoming Whip Mitch McConnell, and even rising star Sen. Bill Frist.

“Even Lott’s people understand how serious this has become,” says the Republican source, who added that while there is no discussion in Lott’s office of his stepping aside, Lott’s people are steeling themselves for a growing drumbeat from their side of the aisle for Lott to give way to a noncontroversial leader who can get the Republican agenda back on track.

p> LETTING AL SQUIRM br> For someone who’s been coy about whether he’ll launch a presidential campaign for 2004, Sen. Joe Lieberman sure is acting like a candidate. Last week he hosted yet another dinner with supporters in Connecticut, reinforcing the notion that he will run. Even more telling, according to associates, is that Lieberman is enjoying watching