Trent Lott's Final Power Play

[seafan]

By http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2501">Chris Bowers at Open Left, via TheNextHurrah

November 26, 2007

I can think of at least three ways that, by announcing his retirement now, Trent Lott was able to stick it to Democrats. First, it sidesteps new ethics laws:

A senior Republican source close to Lott said one reason for the decision is the new lobbying restrictions on former lawmakers.

A law kicks in on January 1 that forbids lawmakers from lobbying for two years after leaving office. Those who leave by the end of 2007 are covered by the previous law, which demands a wait of only one year.

Second, it comes about three weeks after the Governor's election in Mississippi, thus preventing making his replacement a campaign issue. Haley Barbour will appoint a Republican.

Third, it means that Lamar Alexander will be the new minority whip. This means that there is basically no chance Alexander will retire now, and that his new, more powerful position will put his seat out of play once and for all. the only poll on the campaign in Tennessee, which I cannot find right now, already showed Alexander ahead 60%-29%.

So, Trent Lott has managed to give Democrats one final fork in the eye as he leaves. At least he will be gone, and his replacement will have to face re-election next year. I don't know if we can make that seat competitive, but I do know that whoever we nominate in Mississippi almost certainly isn't going to be a progressive anyway.

That analysis is spot on, imho.

Seeing as how Lott's term would have expired in 2012, his leaving 5 years early supports supposition number one, above. That lobbying rule is set to get tougher in January.

It's ALWAYS about money. ALWAYS.

[benld74]

1. YA think he applied for one of these gems?,,,

90,000 applicants for 60 Cleveland WalMart jobs

[Bake]

2. The MS governor's race was never in doubt.

Nor would there ever be any doubt as to whether Barbour (i.e., shoo-in for re-election) would appoint a Republican to any vacant seat. So not so much on the power play there, as for point two.

Bake