Via MSNBC: Sen. Trent Lott to resign
NBC News has learned that Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., the minority whip is in the midst of informing close allies that he plans to resign his senate seat before the end of the year. It’s possible a formal announcement of his plans could take place as early as today.
What is it with these guys quitting before their terms are over? First Hastert, now Lott. Part of what is especially amazing is that there were times in the recent past where it would have been appropriate for them to have left public life, yet they chose to cling to power. Like in the Hastert case, barring health or other pressing reasons, it seems to me that these guys owe their constituents a completed term, given the turmoil and expense associated with replacement. On the other hand, I suppose one could argue that one doesn’t want a representative who isn’t committed to the job. Given that Lott is only a year into his current term, however, it raises questions about whether he should have stood for re-election in the first place.
The speculation, in Lott’s case, is that his reason leaving is raw self-interest:
While the exactly reason Lott is stepping down before he finishes his term is unknown, the general speculation is that a quick departure immunizes Lott against tougher restrictions in a new lobbying law that takes effect at the end of the year. That law would require Senators to wait two-years before entering the lucrative world of lobbying Congress.
OTB has a round-up of some of the reactions to this story.
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November 26th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
“yet they chose to cling to power”
There’s your answer. Now there’s just no power to be had. Coming into 2006 it was viewed as unlikely that the Democrats would actually take the Senate. They had to win 6 of the 7 competitive races, which they did, but 3 or 4 was far more likely. Even after that it would still be okay if the Republicans had a chance in 2008, but they all see the writing on the wall. They’re going to get a well-deserved drubbing, giving the Democrats a real majority in the Senate to match the House. Their only hope is to retain the presidency, and even that’s 50/50 at best. A lot of Republicans are choosing to retire rather than slog it out for who knows how long in the minority, each one helping make it a self-fulfilling prophecy. Trent’s just the highest profile one to do it, and the most blatant being as he was just reelected.
November 26th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
In the case of Reps such as Greenwood (Congress, Pa) it was to take a lobbying job (at $3/4 mil per year) in the Pharmaceutical industry he oversaw from the House of Representatives.
Look for Lott to take some nice gig at $2 mil plus a year.
November 26th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
[...] Other bloggers weigh in; H/T to MemeOrandum (Bloggers, both Left and Right seem to be united in thinking something smells “fishy” and wishing him a “good riddance”): Talk Left; PoliBlog(TM); The Carpetbagger Report; Senate 2008 Guru; The Newshoggers; Outside The Beltway (Right); Drudge Retort; The Left Coaster; Hot Air (Right); Michelle Malkin (Right) [...]
November 26th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
“it raises questions about whether he should have stood for re-election in the first place”
that’s the only question that comes to mind? then we’ll see ya in ‘08
November 27th, 2007 at 12:21 am
I feel certain he’s leaving to do one of two things: revive his singing career, or open a school for male cheerleaders.
November 27th, 2007 at 9:30 am
four words: wide stance larry flynt