I dunno, Tom
I listened to Trott's remarks, and the article reported them with scrupulous accuracy.
I wouldn't have thought anything of it, lacking the historical context of knowing that Thurmond ran as a white separatist. But Lott would know that, and I don't see how we can sweep it under the rug. In context, Lott really was saying that the country would have been better off if a white separatist had been in charge and shaped policy according to his racist philosophy.
It's not a tempest in a teapot. Lott really said what he said.
Maybe we'll both get our wish, and see the screen door bang Lott on the ass on his way out.
--Robert