Robert Novak on Trent Lott

Senate 2006

Mississippi: Sen. Trent Lott (R) within the next week plans to decide between seeking a fourth term in the U.S. Senate from Mississippi or retiring from public life. That could determine whether Republicans keep control of the Senate in next year's elections. It would not be helpful to the GOP to have this seat in play, considering that Republican-held seats are already in some jeopardy in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Missouri.

Moreover, Mississippi Republicans fear that Lott will retire, making State Attorney General Mike Moore (D) the frontrunner to replace him. They fear that Rep. Chip Pickering (R), the likely Republican nominee if Lott does not run, cannot defeat Moore.

Lott was financially devastated by Hurricane Katrina, which wiped out his home. He could easily skip over to K Street and make a seven-figure salary. But his threats of retirement may also represent a campaign on his part to return to the Senate leadership -- namely to the position of Assistant Senate Majority Leader, which will be very much up in the air in 2007 -- particularly if Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) loses his race for re-election.

In the last week, three important Mississippi Republicans, who had been pessimistic about Lott's running again, now think he probably will be a candidate.

 

 

 

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