Local Republicans hope Lott stays

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Dec. 17, 2002
Local Republicans think Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott has apologized enough for remarks he made at Sen. Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday earlier this month.
State Rep. Greg Snowden, R-Meridian, said Democrats and others who are still complaining about Lott's comments are not the ones who will ultimately decide his fate in the Senate.
Snowden and other area Republicans hope Lott stays in a leadership position.
Rick Barry, local attorney and a Lauderdale County campaign manager for Lott, said the senator has been good for East Central Mississippi by supporting Naval Air Station Meridian and economic development for the area.
Sally Brown, secretary of the state GOP's executive committee, said she is surprised at how much attention Lott's comments have received.
Brown said Lott has taken responsibility for his comments and she is disappointed national Republican party leaders have not come to his defense.
Gil Carmichael, a local businessman and former Republican gubernatorial candidate, said the situation has made him sad for Mississippi and Lott.