NYTimes - Krugman -- The Other Face

This discussion shouldn't really be about Mr. Lott. It should be about how a man who sounds like Mr. Lott came to be leader of the Senate.

Let's be clear that last week's remarks were in no way out of character. On the contrary, they were entirely consistent with Mr. Lott's statements on many other occasions.

The great majority of Americans don't share Mr. Lott's views. For example, he opposed declaring Martin Luther King day a holiday, telling Southern Partisan magazine that "we have not done it for a lot of other people that were more deserving."

My guess is that the White House believes it has now done enough. Mr. Lott has received his slap on the wrist; now we can go back to business as usual.

Bear in mind that while Mr. Bush has finally denounced Mr. Lott's remarks, he and his party benefit from the strategy that allows the likes of Mr. Lott to hold so much power. Let's not forget, in particular, the blatant attempts to discourage minority voting in South Dakota, Louisiana, Maryland and elsewhere. It's about time for those of us in the press to pay attention, and let this great, tolerant nation know what's really going on.

I actually disagree, Rove appears to be very mad at Lott for being so poor at "messaging" that he wants him removed from leadership, although he should remain in office. Lott thinks he has the power to ride this out. An interesting battle I think Lott will lose. A lot of powerful Democrats are silent because they want someone with such a bad public image in charge of the opposition.

It does encourage some fence-sitting Republican Senators to think about jumping ship and voting for Daschle as Senate leader. Still only a small possibility but almost nonexistent before this week.