http://www.democrats.org/news/200212130001.html
HEADLINES
Dec 11, 2002
DNC Chairman McAuliffe Statement on Senator Lott's Remarks
Washington, D.C. -- Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Terry McAuliffe issued the following statement:
"Today's disclosure that Senator Trent Lott made virtually identical comments twenty years ago in praise of Senator Strom Thurmond's presidential campaign, demonstrates an unfortunate pattern of racist remarks by Senator Lott.
"Given this pattern, it is simply not credible for Senator Lott to continue to assert that the comments he made last week in support of Senator Thurmond's segregationist campaign were anything more than a 'poor choice of words.' Sadly, it would rather appear that these comments reflect Senator Lott's true prejudices on race.
"The time has come for leaders of the Republican Party to speak out against Senator Lott's remarks. I call on President George Bush and Marc Racicot, Chairman of the Republican Party, to denounce Senator Lott's comments and to assure African Americans, and all Americans, that these types of racist remarks do not reflect the beliefs of the Republican Party.
Likewise, I join incoming Congressional Black Caucus Chair Representative Elijah Cummings in expressing concern with Senator Lott's fitness to serve as leader of the United States Senate. I would urge members of the Republican Senate Caucus to consider carefully whether or not they believe a man with Senator Trent Lott's beliefs is the person they want leading the Republican Party in the United States Senate."