Senator Lott will release his book Herding Cats: My life in Politics at the end of this month. I could go on and on but I think two points are worth noting.
#1 In the book he laments the timing of Frist's challenge to his leadership. Lott seems to believe that if Frist had not challenged his leadership he would still be in power today. But the reason he was imperiled to begin with was his comments at Strom Thurmond's retirement party, which many construed to be racist. Lott complains that President Bush also delivered a telling blow when he stated that "Lott has apologized and rightly so." Of course Lott believes his removal was not necessary, but his comments had weakened his ability to lead. Instead of believing his thoughtless words were the root cause of his removal he sought and continues to blame others. The issue died shortly after he was replaced as the Senate majority leader. Lott believes the issue would have died even if he had remained in office - although a view based in reality would suggest otherwise (Newt's post office fraud and Clinton's intern fling being just two examples that did not easily die).
#2 Lott's partnering with Clinton (on health and welfare legislation the President was pushing) drew criticism from his own party and weakened Dole's push for the white house during the election campaign of 1996. Of course Lott describes his undercutting of his own colleague as doing what was in the best interests of his party. Of course he fails to ascribe such high motives to those who removed him.
The ability of politicians to evade personal responsibility once again highlights the difference between the market and politics. A firm must translate intentions into results or it will fail to exist - in the end there is no place to hide. While in the political realm some politicians can build a successful career on being able to pay the blame game more effectively than their competition.
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