Moving On…

I’ve been reading most of the Lott discussion in the press, and as you would imagine most of it is repetitive and thus not worth linking. I’ve been struck, however, by the force of the critiques coming out of the South.

The following, from an editorial in the Gainesville (Georgia) Times is typical, but with one noteworthy twist.

Lott’s continued presence at the head of the GOP in the Senate will damage that body, his party and any hopes of creating a bipartisan atmosphere in the new Congress.

Ironically, some conservative commentators are among Lott’s strongest critics. They know that his presence will continue to hurt the GOP’s credibility with minority voters and its ability to expand its diversity.

Why is it ironical that conservatives are among Lott’s harshest critics? Because conservatives are so widely thought to be racists. For the Senate Republicans to keep Lott as their leader would be to wrap that reputation snugly around themselves as well. It won’t matter that they’re not racist, just as it doesn’t matter what’s in Lott’s heart. What matters is what came out of his mouth (over and over again), which was stupid — just as it will be stupid of Senate Republicas to keep him and “move on.”

If they keep him I suspect there’ll be quite a bit of moving on, and it won’t be with them.