The American Spectator

/p> p> The Senate GOP never fails to amaze me. The Senate Democrats could be down to their last ten Senate seats and they would still control the agenda, if not the Senate Floor itself. br> — Jerome br> Indiana /p> p> At least Lott knows how to fight, knows that fighting is the only way to deal with the Dems, and apparently enjoys the contest. Better that than the gentlemanly entreaties of Frist and the anguished hand-wringing of Hagel and company. br> — unsigned /p>

Tent Lott lost his leadership position in the U.S. Senate because he was an abysmal leader. The flapdoodle over his comments at Strom Thurmond’s party were merely proximate excuses to move him away from the key Republican position in the Senate. Why? Because Lott was an Appropriator, not a Republican, especially when exerting power.

His legislative order of priority was Lott’s Pork first, Club Senate second, and whatever as politically expedient at some other convenient priority trailing. His leadership style consisted of a quick, unforced compromise, followed up by a complete surrender of the core principles of any debate, and followed up by a chance to insert some personal goodies into a bill for the favor. At some point, the conflict had to be resolved.

Senator Frist has been a much more capable, if a little too timid, for my tastes. He still finds Club Senate too attractive, but cannot be labeled an Appropriator. He has been a necessary mid-range step toward solid Constitutional, Conservative Republican leadership. George Allen is to be commended for his wise support of Senator Frist. If my fondest desire weren’t for bigger and better things for Senator Allen (yes, I will be pleased to sign up for the Allen for President campaign in my county), I would love to see him as the next Majority Leader. Alas, that position is a presidential ambition killer, and he would be better off reminding the electorate of his excellent stewardship as Governor of Virginia.

p>I would like to see a solid forceful Conservative Republican with little use for Club Senate, and more use for the Constitution take Senator Frist’s place; Senators Mitch McConnell or Jon Kyle of Arizona come to mind. The specter of Trent Lott, once again surrendering his way to glad-handing Democrats for the TV and Mississippi pork projects is a true nightmare. br> —