A whole lotta hate: The future of Trent Lott and the Republican majority

I hesitate to quote him here at The Reaction, but here's Bob Novak on Trent Lott: "Trent Lott within the next week plans to decide between seeking a fourth term in the U.S. Senate from Mississippi or retiring from public life. That could determine whether Republicans keep control of the Senate in next year's elections. For the longer range, Lott's retirement and replacement could signal that Southern political realignment has peaked and now is receding."

At The Carpetbagger Report (and at Political Animal, where he's guest-blogging), Steve Benen reads Lott's tea leaves. It's a great post that looks at the story from a number of different angles: "So, what's his next move? Only Lott knows for sure, but watching this play out should be awfully entertaining. Pass the popcorn."

Especially if Lott challenges Frist. Extra butter, please.

For more, see The Moderate Voice ("Trent Lott's Sweet Taste of Political Revenge"), Digby at Hullabaloo, Atrios at Eschaton, Kos at Daily Kos, and Ezra Klein.