Think Progress

Wicker named as Lott’s Senate replacement.

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour named Rep. Roger Wicker (R-MS) as Trent Lott’s replacement in the Senate, who resigned recently and is expected to become a lobbyist. “Wicker’s appointment is only temporary — he will have to run for reelection in November 2008,” but Barbour’s plan to hold the election in November 2008 may violate Mississippi election law, which requires a special election within 90 days of Lott’s retirement.



52 Responses to “Wicker named as Lott’s Senate replacement.”

  1. Marie says:

    Keepin’ it all in the family.
    Lott’s leaving because he wants to avoid the lobbying restrictions starting soon. Gotta make all the dough possible.


  2. Bobwurst says:

    Hi Frank, There’s nothing wrong with keeping your commitments to the people who elected you either. On the other hand, Lott is rumored to be on Larry Flynt’s short list…


  3. Chris L says:

    There’s nothing wrong with money.

    Comment by Frank M — December 31, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
    ####

    But isn’t it quite the kick in the pants to all the voters who just re-elected him? I mean, if he didn’t want to be a senator, and wanted to become a lobbyist instead, why not mention that during the elections, so that someone else could have run instead of him?


  4. gus smith says:

    Thanks a lot Lott, from Mississippi. Of course Barbour will replace him in any manor beneficial to the Rethugs. Let’s hope someone reads the legislation detailing appointments and it is followed to the letter.


  5. had enough says:

    I have no confidence in the politics going on in the South… If the wife of a campaign manager, the wife being a judge can put a person in jail, therefore the opponent wins and also the opponent and campaign manager are good friends with Rove, then what is not possible?
    Siegelman is still in jail


  6. Mugsy says:

    A “law” is meaningless without enforcement.


  7. had enough says:

    A “law” is meaningless without enforcement.

    Comment by Mugs
    A law is meaningless if the powers that be can pick and choose who/what to enforce for political gain.


  8. missmolly says:

    There’s nothing wrong with money.

    Comment by Frank M — December 31, 2007 @ 3:46 pm

    No — not in and of itself. And granted, Lott isn’t doing anything illegal.

    However, if I was a resident of Mississippi who voted for him, I would feel somewhat spat upon by a Senator I trusted to fulfill the obligation he was elected for if he bolted just to evade an upcoming law that might prevent him from making gobs of money.

    There’s illegal. There’s unethical. And then there’s just plain vulgar.


  9. Xisithrus says:

    There’s nothing wrong with money.

    Comment by Frank M — December 31, 2007 @ 3:46 pm

    The love of money is the root of evil.


  10. tom says:

    Lott was a twat.

    But Wicker is slicker.


  11. Nevar says:

    Lottery Commissioner might be a more appropriate occupation.


  12. dbadass says:

    There’s nothing wrong with money.

    Comment by Frank M — December 31, 2007 @ 3:46 pm

    No it is those who seek it


  13. leftcoast says:

    In an exception to the 90-day rule, the law says the governor “shall designate” the special election for the same day as the general election if a vacancy occurs the same calendar year as a statewide election. Mississippi had a statewide election earlier this month, so Barbour would be setting the special election for the next statewide election in 2008.

    The Mississippi Democratic Party, however, said it expects Barbour to call an earlier election.

    By resigning in 2007, Lott sneaks in under the wire for the extended ban on lobbying Congress by former members.

    An earlier special election would likely produce smaller turnout, which would probably benefit Democrats in an overwhelmingly GOP state with a concurrent presidential election.

    http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/mississippi-special-election-date-causes-uncertainty-2007-11-26.html


  14. delafield says:

    How many more decades will Hillbilly mentality prevail in the Slave States? I’d like to visit my cousin in Louisiana one of these years but I’m afraid I might run into a couple of those “Deliverence” boys or I might get dragged behind a pickup truck for talking like a Yankee.


  15. leftcoast says:

    Comment by delafield — December 31, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
    delafield- that comment was about as stupid as stupid does. Try making your point with some real comportment. Besides, did you know that dems (my party) kept slavery alive in the south?


  16. delafield says:

    Besides, did you know that dems (my party) kept slavery alive in the south?

    Comment by leftcoast — December 31, 2007 @ 5:10 pm

    Lefty,

    It seems as though you’re confusing Republican and Democrat with Liberal and Conservative.


  17. Klem Kiddilehopper says:

    leftcoast,
    Delafield was spot on with his comment, I’ve lived in the deep south for over 60’s years, and the only thing that changes, are the faces!
    Just take a look at most of those in power, the redneck, good ole boys, with a leaning towards gay or animal sex! They don’t think twice about using Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeus’ name, if they think it’ll get them a vote or two!
    The country’s full of southern redneck goobers, just look at how they wet themselves silly, drooling over everything, and anybody at the sight of Bush, or going into spasmodic fits when they hear his voice Bush!
    The South has sank a foot in ground in the last 50 or so years,with all the blubbering, grossly over-weight women and kids clogging up the asisles Wally-World 24/7! You can’t find a dentist, except on a horse ranch!
    No delafield is right, hillbilly’s with backwards mentalities still rule!


  18. Xisithrus says:

    I might get dragged behind a pickup truck for talking like a Yankee.
    Comment by delafield — December 31, 2007 @ 5:03 pm

    What? I am from the south. Let me tell a story. I was working in Alabama at a facility repairing US military aircraft as a contractor and as contractors people came from all over the nation. I came to know a guy from New Jersey who talked with a heavy accent and thought pretty much as you seem to. Anyway, after work we would head to this sports bar and drink beer, one night they were having karaoke [yeh I know] and a couple of women sitting with a bunch of bikers sent a few beers to our table. He was scared that the bikers would kick his yankee ass. I told him not to worry.

    So we sat at the table and the people were totally cool, in fact he ended up dating that one girl for months. The biker guys could have cared less.


  19. wisedup says:

    Look at the STATE of the great state of mississippi under lott, nice work….STAND UP miss. and vote out these slime bags.


  20. ralph the wonder llama says:

    There’s nothing wrong with money.

    Comment by Frank M — December 31, 2007 @ 3:46 pm

    Typically myopic right-wing greed-worship.

    Yes, Francis, there’s nothing wrong with money in itself. But you’re making this comment in the context of an elected politician abandoning his constituents in order to cash in on his connections.

    Thus the context is of a man putting his financial interests ahead of the legislative interests of his consitutents and of the nation.

    Understand now?

    No, I didn’t think you would.


  21. Xisithrus says:

    The country’s full of southern redneck goobers, just look at how they wet themselves silly, drooling over everything, and anybody at the sight of Bush, or going into spasmodic fits when they hear his voice Bush!

    Thats just silly, people in the South know Bush is basically a Yankee.


  22. pete says:

    I’m not accusing anyone of anything, however, I urge people to remember that “name jacking” has reared it’s ugly head the last few days. If you see a post from a “regular” which doesn’t seem in character, ask yourself why.

    Also. Much of the world is not obsessed with accumulating wealth. In fact, the pursuit of wealth, for wealth’s sake, has probably killed more kind souls than smallpox. When I run across someone who seems too pleased, with their ability to generate income, I ask: “Can you buy clean air with that Gold-Card”?

    Personally, so long as I can provide for my needs, and support my expensive hobbies (Marine aquariums and R/C airplanes) I don’t need, or desire, an extra cent. I have been much happier since I adopted this policy.


  23. Veritas says:

    The flagrant disregard for the laws of this country appear to be the modus operandi of the Grand Ole Pervert Party these days. Ever since David Addington’s mission was to pervert every law, treaty, and all things sacred to this democracy, they’ve succeeded in breaking barriers we never imagined possible in terms of corruption in the highest offices of this country.

    Why would we think that corrupt redneck Haley Barbour would do things differently? or even honestly? He’s a sickening bigot who doesn’t deserve to hold the office he holds. He’s a party partisan who places “party above his own people”.

    Barbour needs to be replaced before he destroys the state of Mississippi completely. His handling of Katrina was disgraceful and he’s a man without a conscience or a soul.


  24. dixie blood says:

    [...] but Barbour’s plan to hold the election in November 2008 may violate Mississippi election law, which requires a special election within 90 days of Lott’s retirement. 3:36 pm

    A RePugniScum breaking the law?? That’s so shocking!!

    NOT!!!!!

    Barbour is corrupt to the core redneck a$$h0le!!! He is a racist sh|thead too!!


  25. Veritas says:

    Right, Troll Francine – “there’s nothing wrong with money” but you forgot the second half of the compound sentence which is “as long as it’s in the hands and offshore accounts of a Republican greedy pig”.


  26. Veritas says:

    I’d love to hear some Mississippians weigh in on the values of having Haley Barbour as Governor. Ask them about Katrina for openers. Ask them just who is getting that pricey real estate on the gulf of mexico…..just ask the “real people”, the Middle Class.


  27. Veritas says:

    Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum….I smell the necrotic odor of a “name jacking” athread!


  28. Wayne says:

    Thats just silly, people in the South know Bush is basically a Yankee.

    Comment by Xisithrus — December 31, 2007 @ 5:36 pm

    Yep, a transplant, a fake cowboy who is afraid of horses.


  29. delafield says:

    Thats just silly, people in the South know Bush is basically a Yankee.

    Comment by Xisithrus — December 31, 2007 @ 5:36 pm

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~

    How many Yankees do you know that visit the South to salute the Confederate flag like George W. Bush? Confederate flag humping is a religious ceremony to many Southerners. Conservatives have been exploiting this racism, hatred, and bigotry for over 150 years. Do you have any suggestions on how to end it?
    http://www.spofga.org/flag/2004/june/-%20The%20Washington%20Times%20Special%20Report%20-.htm


  30. Jason M. Hendler says:

    Whether now or later, it will be a Republican.


  31. Nevar says:

    Has Lott actually resigned yet?


  32. Doc Rock says:

    Law? Barbour don’t need no stinkin’ law–look at how he diverted Katrina aid from the poor to the rich!


  33. Fan of Man says:

    No — not in and of itself. And granted, Lott isn’t doing anything illegal.

    However, if I was a resident of Mississippi who voted for him, I would feel somewhat spat upon by a Senator I trusted to fulfill the obligation he was elected for if he bolted just to evade an upcoming law that might prevent him from making gobs of money.

    There’s illegal. There’s unethical. And then there’s just plain vulgar.

    Comment by missmolly — December 31, 2007 @ 4:17 pm

    actually lott is acting illegally. i dont have a link in front of me, but if you google him, you’ll see the timeline and what he did in the timeline that is illegal.


  34. Nevar says:

    So… what will Lott’s wife be doing, just standing around?


  35. Veritas says:

    Wayne: A fake cowboy is just scratching the surface.


  36. Nevar says:

    Real cowboys scratch a lott deeper, and more often.


  37. Nevar says:

    Not a lott going on here tonight…….


  38. gummitch says:

    Nevar, all the fun people are out drinking.


  39. The Republic of Stupidity says:

    Whether now or later, it will be a Republican.

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — December 31, 2007 @ 6:33 pm

    Which is to say, ahem, ‘nother soon-to-be busted perv…


  40. Nevar says:

    Guess that explains why I’m here….


  41. The Republic of Stupidity says:

    Geez, Nevar, somebody’s got to keep an eye on the place. We don’t want a bunch of drunken trolls staggering in after dark and vandalizing the place, do we?

    Or have we forgotten the “Mr. P Era”?


  42. english teacher says:

    well i don’t really see the difference here because won’t there now have to be a special election to replace wicker? if so, that explains the pick because wicker’s northeast district is relatively safe for the republicans. still, it is difficult to reconcile any rationalization for not having the 90 day special election to replace lott when there will just as likely be one to replace wicker. this is just a strong arm tactic by barbour to keep both lott’s senate seat and the 2-2 congressional split. if there was a statewide 90 day election, it is likely that a strong democrat like thompson, espy, or ronnie shows could win, even though none of them have expressed interest. a strong democrat running to take wicker’s seat then could really cause some anxiety for republicans, even though i don’t think they would actually lose either seat, regrettably.


  43. RUCerious says:

    Law, schmaw, this is the GOPers we’re talking about here.
    Never saw a law they didn’t think they could break, if they thought no one was lookin..


  44. gummitch says:

    polly_wolly has little understanding of anything. Pretty funny to hear it criticize TP.


  45. araratararat says:

    Oh isn’t that so Republican Party and KKKarl Rovenesque of Haley Barbour to bend, twist, contort, and circumvent the election laws/rules. The Republicans are thieves, perverts, pedophiles, and corrupt scumbags. They can’t win elections fairly while following the laws and rules – they have to perpetrate some kind of election fraud – not so much to win – but to commit election larceny – to only make it look like they won. If a politician has to cheat you before he/she gets both feet in the door – maybe you shouldn’t let him/her in the House (or Senate). Republicans would be inclinded steal your carpets, couch, drapes, chandelier, and drain your bank account – that of your children and grandchildren bone dry to a minus zero balance.


  46. kasinca says:

    There is no crime the thugs of the GOP crime family is afraid to commit. Fascist pigs in action.


  47. Bobwurst says:

    TP clearly has no understanding of Mississippi election law.
    Comment by good_golly

    Right, in Misses-hippie, republicans first send out notices to all the “coloreds” telling them that the po-lice will be at the voting precincts checking for folks with unpaid traffic tickets, after, of course, dropping all registered voters with the names of smith, jones, and washington from the voter roles in heavily democratic districts, and then have folks use dibold voting machines. After the poll tax and making all the black folk recite the constitution. Did I leave anything out, cracker?


  48. Nat says:

    Lott’s resignation occurred during a general election year and is exempt from the 100-day rule (which TP incorrectly calls a 90 day rule).

    Then how can he get that plush lobbying job?

    Outgoing secretary of state Eric Clark is siding with Barbour on the dispute. Nonetheless, Demokkkrats in MS plan to file a frivolous lawsuit in a futile effort to force an election within 100 days.
    Comment by good_golly — December 31, 2007 @ 9:50 pm

    It’s ashame. The outgoing Secretary of State of Mississippi doesn’t understand Mississippi law.


  49. Wayne says:

    Demokkkrats in MS plan to file a frivolous lawsuit in a futile effort to force an election within 100 days.

    Comment by good_golly — December 31, 2007 @ 9:50 pm

    “frivolous lawsuit, LMAO
    So that is what Republicans call trying to get someone to follow the Law, huh?

    If you were any more ignorant or dishonest, I would swear you were Bush himself.


  50. jb says:

    Who said, “money is the root of all evil”?


  51. Nachos of Justice says:

    Roger Wicker? Just the man for the job — in time for President Eisenhower’s run for re-election.

    Excuse me while I grap some baseball and apple pie. This 75th congress is a JOKE! I mean….civil rights? Get real!


  52. JosephW says:

    Good-golly, somehow I missed the notice that 2007 was a “general election year”. Lott announced his INTENTION to resign in 2007. Lott RESIGNED in 2007. Wicker was NAMED as a replacement in 2007. ThinkProgress POSTED this information in 2007.
    So when did 2007 become a “general election year”?
    2008 is a general election year, but EVERYTHING that was done happened in 2007, so there’s nothing legal in allowing Wicker’s being allowed to stay until he has to “run for re-election” if the state’s law requires a special election.



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