Trent Lott plans on resigning from the US Senate. Happy Feet, Happy Feet.
A Lott friend said part of the reason, and a factor in the timing, is a new lobbying regulation, signed by President Bush in September, extending the existing lobbying ban for former members of Congress from one to two years. The lobbying ban takes effect at the end of this year.
Lott's departure opens up a position within Republican leadership, and there could be a fight to replace him. Lamar Alexander, who ran for the position last year, would be a natural candidate, but there are plenty of GOP up-and-comers who could compete for the slot, including Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), who are part of the current leadership team and could be looking for a promotion to the no. 2 spot in the hierarchy.
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) will name a successor to serve through the general election of 2008. Barbour will have to name a successor within 10 days of Lott's official resignation.
Besides the obvious good blessings of Lott's resignation, I hope this a sign that Southern Democrats will get some play from the National Dems during the 2008 General Election. Can't ignore us now 
I'm sure John Leek over at Cotton Mouth blog in Mississippi will keep us informed.
4 Responses to “and your first Christmas present is…”
Well, the two names that have already popped up for side are former Governor Ronnie Musgrove and former Attorney General Mike Moore.
I am not too familiar with MS Democrats other than my one of my favorite Democrats in the country, Congressman Gene Taylor, but I understand Musgrove is one of the most conservative Democrats even in MS.
We will need a conservative Democrat in order to even have a shot at the seat.
Oooooh. Mike Moore would be a great choice.
I think Gary Anderson would be good. He just came off running for MS Agriculture and has a lot of name ID.
Let me preface this with saying that I am certainly not sad to see Trent Lott retire. That being said, despite some highly publicized foot in mouth events, Lott was actually much more pragmatic than his likely Republican successor will be, particularly given the state he represented. Is replacing someone like Trent Lott with someone like Jeff Sessions necessarily a victory somehow? Fill me in.