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Monday, January 16, 2006

MS-Sen: Lott to Announce Plans Tuesday

Posted by DavidNYC

Trent Lott has allegedly been considering retiring from the Senate, after his family home was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. Via reader jcb, it looks like he's finally set to make an announcement one way or the other:

BLITZER: We're almost out of time, but a couple questions to both of you. There's word out there that you may be leaving, retiring from the U.S. Senate, making an announcement even in the next few days. Is that true?

LOTT: I spent the Christmas holidays in my state visiting with the people that I love the most, my relatives, my neighbors, people on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that were devastated by Katrina.

It's been a complicated decision because of all that we've been through in the last year. But my heart is with the people there and I'm going to do everything I can to be helpful to them as long as it's necessary. And I have that capability.

But, any announcement on that, I plan to begin with announcements in my hometown of Pascagoula, Mississippi on the Mississippi Gulf coast Tuesday and then in Jackson later on in the day.

BLITZER: So, you'll make an announcement one way or another whether you're going to seek re-election or retire?

LOTT: That's right.

As jcb observes, why the hell make announcements in multiple cities unless you're barnstorming with an eye on November? I suppose it could be some kind of farewell tour - hit his hometown, then the state capital. But I think jcb is probably right. So here's the question: If Lott does indeed stay in, would former Democratic AG Mike Moore still consider running against him? Lott is one of the most popular senators in the country, so that (plus MS's unfavorable demographics) would probably militate against such a decision.

Posted at 12:34 AM in 2006 Elections - Senate, Mississippi | Technorati

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Comments

Let's hope he pulls out. Allthough if he does stay in he could become a problem for Republicans down the road if he runs for Republican leadership after Frist leaves.

Posted by: D in FL. at January 16, 2006 12:58 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

If he does retire, that'll open up at least one Congress seat.

Granted, MS-1 being open is preferable to MS-3 being open, it's less Red and all.

Posted by: RBH at January 16, 2006 01:32 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

It would be great to have Moore run. He would beat his likely challenger Chip Pickering handily. Moore is a much beloved figure in MS. Moore won't run against Lott because they married ladies that are sisters. There is a family connection there.

Posted by: BigFatDemocrat at January 16, 2006 07:07 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Wow BigFatDemocrat, I had no idea about the family connection between Mike Moore and Trent Lott. That certainly puts things into perspective!

I bet Lott stays.

Posted by: HellofaSandwich at January 16, 2006 09:45 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I'm thinking that the "two stops" thing is a hint at running for re-election.

Hopefully a Democrat wins who isn't the guy that endorsed LaRouche in 2004.

Posted by: RBH at January 16, 2006 11:45 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Trent Lott and Dickie Scruggs, the famous liability lawyer, married sisters.

Posted by: Millsaps at January 17, 2006 08:02 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Barnstorming or Farewell tour?

My vote is that Lott’s multiple stops are not a campaign start but a farewell tour.
We well have a nice open seat down there for the pickings.

We will see at 12 when he gives his speech.

Posted by: Buckscountydem at January 17, 2006 10:53 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Good thing I did not put money on that

Posted by: Buckscountydem at January 17, 2006 12:51 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment