Look around here to see how some cynics play this.
Lott's test of character is, if he can't get on BET tomorrow and make a credible position on this, can he at least gracefully leave leadership and stay in the senate?
If his ego is so delicate, and his pride so huge, he can bring the whole tent down by resigning and allowing the dem gov. of Miss to appoint a dem replacement.
If he is truly contrite, but of character, he will take whatever lumps come his way and stay in for his term, or until Miss gets another Republican Gov.
But if he not only harms himslef but the party as well s well by his own behavior, and then gives effective conrol back to the dems, then his life, unlike Thurmond's, will not be long enough even at 100 years to make up for the bad he has done.
This is the time of testing for him.
He has to have the character to sit there and take it, if he is to pass the test.
He may even, like Strom, learn how to be loved in his state by all its citizens.
Or if not loved, at least respected by enough to continue serving.
Ed