Trent Lott profusely apologized over and over again, explaining each time that he was no racist. He said that his boner was offensive, grievous, and all that sort of thing. He also mentioned all his good deeds for blacks in Mississippi and in the senate. The press published opinions from all sides, picking on this or that incident to infer this or that and pretending to read Mr Lott’s mind. Prominent Republicans, including a few---very few---senators, came out for or against his keeping the leadership position. The hypothesis that the Republican leader could bolt the senate if he were to lose his rank did not seem to have any impact on the general mood, and neither did the speculation that his defection could prompt a few "moderate" Republican senators to declare themselves Independents for fear that a more conservative leader would replace Mr Lott.

It seems that apologies broadcast by mainstream television networks did not count, as the sorry senator arranged to appear on the Black Entertainment Television to face the music and try to buy some improbable pass for his gaffe. The show did not clarify Trent Lott’s positions on race politics, and did not give him a pass. It just humbled him. He had to declare himself an enthusiastic supporter of "affirmative action," as demonstrated by his hiring of minority staff members, and mostly blacks at that. He also volunteered that his position as senate majority leader would allow him effectively to promote legislation in the interest of blacks, which he promised to do. He also suggested that an explanation for his faux pas might have had to do with his growing up in segregated Mississippi, which was another stupid thing to say. As if that was not enough, he mentioned that, having been born in a poor family, he understood the difficulties encountered by poor blacks in pursuing the American dream. Well, all that writhing did not work. Actually, as J. C. Watts put it, if Trent Lott "crawled across Mississippi on hands and knees," that would not be enough for his critics. Yet, the senator obviously seems to cling to the notion that pandering and setting himself in a pillory could benefit his circumstances, which reveals a perception of political realities either arrogant or naïve and, in any case, wrong.

Political realities were for anyone to appreciate when C-SPAN on the same day broadcast a press conference called by the Black Leadership Forum, a consortium of black advocacy organizations, featuring Joseph Lowery (chairman), Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich, Julian Bond, and a few others. The opinions expressed by the participants could not have been clearer. First, Trent Lott had to lose his rank in the senate, regardless of his explanations, apologies, or amends. Second, President Bush, as head of the GOP, should intervene to force the issue. Third, Lott’s unfortunate utterance had to be considered a "teaching moment" by which the Republican Party should be under suspicion of being a refuge for anachronistic, unrepentant Dixiecrats. In fact, it was announced that the BLF, which claims to be nonpartisan,will monitor the policies of the Republican Party for "coded signals." The whole event was packed with ramblings against the wicked Republicans who oppose "world peace and equity marketplace" [sic], who stand against "blacks, Hispanics, and suburban whites," [or was it "wives"?] and whose rhetoric about "one America" is a sham. So much for the nonpartisan character of the organization.

In short, according to the BLF, Trent Lott’s chance of redemption, if any at all, would be to switch parties. A more sensible opinion came from Rep. John Lewis, Democrat from Georgia and early advocate of civil rights for blacks, who bravely put himself in harm’s way in the historical marches. John Lewis suggested that senator Lott accompany him on visits to the sites of historical protests against segregation in Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham, but added that he believed in Trent Lott’s sincerity and accepted his apologies.

Tom Daschle, showed uncommon restraint in stating at the very beginning of the affair that he did not think of Trent Lott as a racist and that he accepted his apology. That was in sharp contrast with traditional Democrat tactics, which consist of accusing Republicans of all possible sins, including "insensitivity" to racial minorities, a code word for racism. But Mr Daschle could afford looking noble and fair with the knowledge that others would surely beat on Lott with an ardor hard to match, including Republicans outside the senate. It is probable that he would favor a Republican senate leader like Trent Lott who would have to tread on eggshells any time a question of "insensitivity" to minorities would be raised by the opposition, be it in the confirmation of federal judges, or in controversies concerning "affirmative action," or in other political debates where race could be injected, however artificially. Lott’s television declaration to make amends by supporting policies aligned with minorities’ demands would also facilitate the endorsement of Democrat policies, for which Democrats could take the credit. Any legitimate objection on the Republican side would be branded as evidence of a persistent, unrepentant Dixiecrat-like sentiment.

All this has to be a nightmare for the senate Republicans, now that Lott has declared that he would fight to keep his rank, in spite of a call from Don Nickles for an election. Rumors that President Bush would like Bill Frist to replace Lott have been ciculating, but so far the White House has steered clear of a debate that really belongs in the senate Republican caucus. Besides Nickles who made no secret of his desire to become majority leader, Mitch McConnell, who defended Lott, said that he would compete for the position if Lott were to resign. Bill Frist has not made any significant comment. Lott, contrary to speculations that he might resign his senate seat were he to lose his fight, affirmed that he would anyhow complete his term, which ends in 2006.

Now, consider that the White House’s agenda includes the conduct of a war, tax cuts to rebound the economy, and the launch of the new department of Homeland Security. Its success, which will determine in large part the results of the 2004 presidential elections, requires that the fragile Republican majority in the senate be free of spurious preoccupations Trent Lott has become a spurious preoccupation because dumb words have inordinate consequences in the current political climate. He must go.

As I was finishing this column, Republican senators Inhofe, Thomas, Warner, Allen, and Nickles, either have asked Trent Lott to step down or have thrown their support to Frist, should he run. Frist has declared that he will run if the opposition to Lott becomes significant. That's it. Trent Lott will go.