Trent Lott to Step Down Before 2008

If you haven't heard, MS' Junior Senator, Trent Lott (R-MS) is stepping down this year. you can rest assured this is to start a lucrative career in lobbying after the federal waiting period is over. There's been speculation for years that he'd be stepping down. Most think that Katrina and its aftermath kept him in the Senate, as he had great personal losses in the storm.

That being said, MANY have speculated that he didn't enjoy the back bench status in which he found himself after the Strom Thurmond fiasco. He had clawed his way back into some form of leadership, only to see the GOP Majority slip away. It seems so many of our 'statesmen' want to take their ball and go home if they can't be in charge (I'm looking at you Chip Pickering). It also speaks volumes about Lott's view of the GOP presidential field.

So, what does that mean for the future? It means Barbour will appoint a new Senator to fill out the term. there has been LONG speculation that Rep. Chip Pickering was being groomed for this seat. with him stepping down from the house and this seat opening, you can bet he'll be on the short list. Though, i'm less convinced it will be him at this point. whomever it is, they will enjoy a Year in the senate and perhaps be able to establish a whiff of Incumbency. On the Democrat side, i see Mike Moore (former AG) as the likely candidate. he's LONG been rumored to have wanted this job. the question is whether 5 years out of politics is too long for people's short attention span. I would argue that he's perhaps the most widely known and liked Democrat in the state.