GOP Senator Smith Defends Lott's Segregationist Comments -- But He Condemned Them At The Time
This is kind of fun. The Huffington Post reported today that GOP Senator Gordon Smith defended Trent Lott's 2002 segregationist comments on the floor of the Senate during a send-off for the retiring Lott this morning:
"I was half way around the world when an event befell Trent Lott that shook me deeply," Smith said, referencing Lott's 2002 remarks in praise of Dixiecrat Strom Thurmond's 1948 run for the White House. "I was celebrating my re-election and on vacation. I watched over international news as his words were misconstrued, words which we had heard him utter many times in his big warm-heartedness trying to make one of our colleagues, Strom Thurmond, feel good at 100 years old. We knew what he meant. But the wolfpack of the press circled around him, sensed blood in the water, and the exigencies of politics caused a great injustice..."...Smith said Lott should never have stepped down from his leadership position. "It was a wrong," Smith said of Lott's 2002 resignation, "but it was a wrong that was righted."
Hmmm -- Smith thinks Lott's words were misconstrued, that he was wronged, and that he should never have resigned?
Turns out that isn't what he said at the time. According an Associated Press article on December 17, 2002, Smith reacted as follows:
"However they were intended, Senator Lott's words were offensive and I was deeply dismayed to hear of them," Smith said in a brief statement. "His statement goes against everything I and the people of Oregon believe in. I look forward to working with my Republican colleagues to arrive at a decision that is best for the U.S. Senate and the country."
Three days later, according to the AP, Smith also said:
"I appreciate that Senator Lott has stepped down, it was a courageous thing for him to do..."Senator Lott's decision is best for the Senate and best for the country."
Classic Gordon Smith -- condemns Lott when the pressure is on, but completely exonerates him when no one's paying any attention.
Comments (29)
Freewheelin' Freddie wrote on December 18, 2007 1:18 PM:Classic REPUBLICAN bullshit, lying thru his teeth while stroking off the segregationists and pro-slavers.
This guy's seat is up for reelection this year. I better see this in an ad. Great work TPM/Greg!
pat malach wrote on December 18, 2007 1:48 PM:From NY Times columnist Frank Rich's sunday offering (seems relevant to this discussion):
Pushed over the edge by his peers’ polite chatter about Mitt Romney’s sermon on “Faith in America,” Lawrence O’Donnell branded the speech “the worst” of his lifetime. Then he went on a rampage about Mr. Romney’s Mormon religion, shouting (among other things) that until 1978 it was “an officially racist faith.”
That claim just happens to be true. As the jaws of his scandalized co-stars dropped around him, Mr. O’Donnell then raised the rude question that almost no one in Washington asks aloud: Why didn’t Mr. Romney publicly renounce his church’s discriminatory practices before they were revoked? As the scion of one of America’s most prominent Mormon families, he might have made a difference. It’s not as if he was a toddler. By 1978 — the same year his contemporary, Bill Clinton, was elected governor in Arkansas — Mr. Romney had entered his 30s.
The answer is simple. Mr. Romney didn’t fight his church’s institutionalized apartheid, whatever his private misgivings, because that’s his character. Though he is trying to sell himself as a leader, he is actually a follower and a panderer, as confirmed by his flip-flops on nearly every issue.
StopGordonSmith wrote on December 18, 2007 1:50 PM:Yet another example of Gordon Smith saying anything just to win a few votes. Check out more of the criticism Smith is facing for his willingness to say anything at: http://www.stopgordonsmith.com.
Dox wrote on December 18, 2007 1:55 PM:Why are Smith and now Hatch talking about this today?
CD wrote on December 18, 2007 2:04 PM:Hey wait a minute...wasn't it Delay (not the press or the dems or whoever) who made hay out of Lott's comments to take his place in the repub leadership? I thought it was a case of them eating their own...more info anyone?
Powkat wrote on December 18, 2007 2:09 PM:As an Oregonian, I apologize for Gordo. Rest assured, we are doing our best to replace him with someone who is not a raging opportunist.
Kari Chisholm wrote on December 18, 2007 2:17 PM:This would be a good time to discover the Democrats who are running against him.
I'm supporting Jeff Merkley, Oregon's Speaker of the House. He led the Democrats to a majority in 2006, after 16 years in the minority.
As Speaker, Merkley held together a one-vote 31-29 majority, and achieved the most progressive session in Oregon in 30 years.
This all happened in 2007:
- A 22% increase in university budgets
- A $6.245 billion K-12 education budget, an 18% increase
- Guaranteed sexual assault victims access to emergency contraceptives
- Domestic partnerships for gays & lesbians
- Majority signup for unions ("card check")
- 25% renewable energy standard by 2025
- A 36% cap on predatory payday loans (down from 528% average)
- A biofuels incentive package
- Established a rainy day fund for the state budget
- Sent the voters a fix for Measure 37 that protects housing rights while stopping Wal-Mart
- Expansion of the Oregon Bottle Bill to include water bottles (~125 million/year)
- Guaranteed coverage for contraceptives in health insurance
- Employment non-discrimination for sexual orientation
- Free speech and free press rights for student media
- 3200 more children in Head Start
- Sent the voters a cigarette tax to fund health care for all kids
- Expanded the prescription drug purchasing pool
- Started the ball rolling toward universal health care in 2009
- An extensive identity theft protection law
- 100 new state troopers; 15 new forensic scientists
- The internet predator act
- An e-waste recycling program
- A 17% pay raise for Oregon's judges (who were lowest-paid in the nation)
- Restored the "Rule of 31" to the Oregon House; encouraging bipartisan cooperation
- Referred to voters a repeal of the "double majority" rule
- A wide-ranging and strict ethics package for all public officials
- Reform of the initiative process that boosts grassroots organizing, while regulating mercenaries
...and it all happened because Merkley led the Democrats to victory in 2006. Learn more about Jeff Merkley.
[Full disclosure: My company hosts websites for the Oregon House Democrats and Jeff Merkley's US Senate campaign. I speak here only for myself.]
The other Democrat who shouldn't be ignored is Steve Novick. He's been an activist and consultant to various Democratic campaigns and officials over the years. He's also an excellent progressive and a good friend of mine.
Freewheelin' Freddie wrote on December 18, 2007 2:23 PM:Thanks Kari... good informative and *useful* posting.
Dan wrote on December 18, 2007 2:33 PM:The latest poll from the state has Smith leading but in single-digits AND under 50%. So Democrats should have a great chance to unseat him.
pat malach wrote on December 18, 2007 2:44 PM:I think Rich's comments as excerpted above enlighten the discussion about Smith because, like Romney, "(T)hough he is trying to sell himself as a leader, he is actually a follower and a panderer, as confirmed by his flip-flops on nearly every issue."
This is not holding Smith responsible for what his church did in the past, it is holding him responsible for how he reacted to it as a member of one of the most prominent Mormon families in the nation.
And it speaks directly to whether he is a maverick -- as so many in the press have fallen into their typical lazy short-hand agreement on -- or a follower who is unable or unwilling to fight against orthodoxies and institutions when they're wrong.
And if ever there was a time for an actual maverick willing to stand up to the political establishment orthodoxies and corporate institutions of the day ... well, volumes have been (and will be) written!
bdunn wrote on December 18, 2007 2:49 PM:It is amazing that Smith gets so many people to believe he is a moderate, when in actuality he is everything but.
We need someone in Oregon who is going to stand up for working people, the environment, LGBTQ rights, and against the Bush administration bellicose foreign policy and war mongering. That person is Jeff Merkley
Jeff is a strong fighter for working people, recently winning the Oregon AFL-CIO endorsement. He passed a civil unions bill in the state house, is against the war, lead the most environmentally friendly legislative session for the past 30 years, and is generally an awesome guy.
I really encourage people to get behind Jeff. He is going to be everything that Smith is not, an amazing progressive US Senator.
The Republican Party continues its "Southern Strategy" efforts to lock down the white supremacist trailer trash vote, one of the very few voting blocks they are almost certain to garner close to 100 percent support from in the 2008 election.
Kefa wrote on December 18, 2007 3:10 PM:All those little racist, little bigots, pro-slavers are gonna hit the air waves under the cover of haters of Islamicfascisms. This is their plan on BHO.
The Hatches, the MSM, the Becks, The Rushes. The Hannities.
Listen to the Town Crier
The Republicans are Coming. Rally behind The Clintons. They know how to win.
Liam wrote on December 18, 2007 4:02 PM:The Nostalgia of Trent
Oh; he wished he were in a Strom led land,
Where non-whites rights were for ever banned;
Lynch away, Lynch away, Lynch away, Dixicrats.
lisa wrote on December 18, 2007 4:23 PM:Gordon Smith ... always flexible.
Regarding Merkley's challenge that is discussed above, my understanding is that Merkley is kind of a Wanker Democrat. Supported by Steny Hoyer and Rahm Emanuel.
If that is indeed the case, I can't see suppporting him over Novick.
I have to be suspicious of anyone those two useless twits endorse...
Kari Chisholm wrote on December 18, 2007 4:58 PM:I don't believe he's been endorsed by Hoyer or Emanuel. He's been endorsed by Jon Tester, though.
I suggest reading the list of progressive policies that he pushed through the Lege as Speaker - in just one year.
I'd also suggest watching a couple videos at JeffMerkley.com.
Decide for yourself.
votenic wrote on December 18, 2007 5:02 PM:2008 Presidential Election Weekly Poll
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The Only Poll That Matters.
Results Posted Weekly Tuesday Evening At Midnight.
C'mon, Oregon, get rid of this loser!
Liz Kimmerly, Online Director Novick for U.S. Senate wrote on December 18, 2007 6:13 PM:Progressive Democrat and U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick has already posted a press release about this at his website. Please read here. Look for the Oregonian's interview of Steve and his response to Gordon Smith in the Oregonian tomorrow and Lars Larson's interview of Steve at 12:15pm (tomorrow as well please click here to see Larson's website) His fast action on this issue shows how he will work for Oregonians in the U.S. Senate. He is Gordon Smith's toughest challenger and will be the one to take his seat in 2008.
Sorry-the proper link for his press release is here:
Until their leaders at 50 East North Temple Street renounce doctrinal racism, why should they?
Powkat wrote on December 18, 2007 7:07 PM:Hey, Liz - Steve has my vote in the primary. I like his scrappy style; Merkly is the establishment candidte. I know lots of people who feel the same.
Liz Kimmerly wrote on December 18, 2007 7:28 PM:Thanks Powkat-
Please contact me at liz@novickforsenate.org if you have any more questions.
Novick is indeed the preferable candidate. He's a proven fighter, he's undeniably authentic and a strong progressive. He's also got a knack for garnering incredible media coverage and buzz.
How many US Senate Primary candidates do you see profiled in Harper's Magazine? (I've only seen one, and guess what his name is.)
colin maloney wrote on December 18, 2007 7:36 PM:okay, link in plaintext to the article since (for some reason) the formatting of the link didn't work:
http://www.harpers.org/archive/2007/12/hbc-90001897
you can also click my name on this, but not the previous, comment.
Oregongal wrote on December 19, 2007 12:12 PM:Thanks Liz and Kari... I came to the comments section to mention Jeff Merkley and Steve Novick. You've both done a far better job of it than I could have.
We Oregonians have a great shot at getting Gordon Smith out this time around. I'll be phone banking and donating for whichever of the two dems win the nomination. They are both a great improvement and would represent my interests to my satisfaction.
JR wrote on December 19, 2007 11:27 PM:Mostly a nice list of taxes.
4 Good ideas.
Some pandering and posturing
Tax 1 - A 22% increase in university budgets
Tax 2 - A $6.245 billion K-12 education budget, an 18% increase
Tax 3 - Insurance doesnt cover this? - Taxes will then -Guaranteed sexual assault victims access to emergency contraceptives
Posturing - Domestic partnerships for gays & lesbians
Pandering - Majority signup for unions ("card check")
Tax 4 - 25% renewable energy standard by 2025
Most pandering - A 36% cap on predatory payday loans (down from 528% average)
Tax 5 - A biofuels incentive package
Tax 6 - Established a rainy day fund for the state budget
Not sure what this is - Sent the voters a fix for Measure 37 that protects housing rights while stopping Wal-Mart
Tax 7 - Expansion of the Oregon Bottle Bill to include water bottles (~125 million/year)
Tax 8 - Guaranteed coverage for contraceptives in health insurance
More pandering - Employment non-discrimination for sexual orientation
This guy watches too much MTV - Free speech and free press rights for student media
Finally, a tax worth having - 3200 more children in Head Start
Tax 9 - Sent the voters a cigarette tax to fund health care for all kids
Tax 10 - Expanded the prescription drug purchasing pool
Friggin huge Tax 11 - Started the ball rolling toward universal health care in 2009
Tax 12 - An extensive identity theft protection law
2nd Good one - 100 new state troopers; 15 new forensic scientists
3rd good point - The internet predator act
An e-waste recycling program
Tax 13 - A 17% pay raise for Oregon's judges (who were lowest-paid in the nation)
Means nothing - Restored the "Rule of 31" to the Oregon House; encouraging bipartisan cooperation
Who cares - Referred to voters a repeal of the "double majority" rule
4th Good Point - A wide-ranging and strict ethics package for all public officials
More posturing - means nothing - Reform of the initiative process that boosts grassroots organizing, while regulating mercenaries
