'Poor Choice of Words,' Lott Says (washingtonpost.com)

Senate Republican leader Trent Lott (Miss.) last night apologized for suggesting that the country would have been better off if segregationist candidate Strom Thurmond had been elected president in 1948.

Earlier in the day, former vice president Al Gore said the Senate should censure Lott unless he withdrew the controversial comment, which also had been criticized by civil rights leaders, including Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Jesse L. Jackson. Gore described Lott's remarks as "fundamentally racist."

Lott yesterday discussed the controversial remarks in a private meeting with Senate Majority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.). Daschle told reporters: "Senator Lott, in my conversation with him this morning, explained that that wasn't how he meant them to be interpreted. I accept that. There are a lot of times when he and I go to the microphone, would like to say things we meant to say differently, and I'm sure this is one of those cases for him, as well."