Lott

GOP Senator Calls for Referendum on Lott

WASHINGTON - The Senate's No. 2 Republican leader broke ranks with GOP colleagues and called Sunday for a new election for majority leader, saying Sen. Trent Lott may be so weakened that his continued service in that job could jeopardize the party's legislative agenda.

The comments by Sen. Don Nickles of Oklahoma were the first sign of rebellion among Republican senators. They have watched closely to see Lott's repeated apologies would defuse the controversy that has raged since his racially charged comments at a birthday party for South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond.

This is crazy. Who has even heard of this Don Nickles? Accept Lott's apology and move on Nickles. Not like you could win power in the Senate, as no one knows you.