Trent Lott has stepped down as Senate Majority Leader and PFAW welcomes his decision. His recent statements are not an aberration, but the culmination of a career of consistently opposing key civil rights principles and protections.
We thank you for coming to sign our petition, but it is now no longer needed. Over 20,000 Americans took the time to urge President Bush to ask Lott step down.
Unfortunately, Senator Lott's decision to step down doesn't solve all our problems. Earlier this week, People For the American Way released voting records on the top contenders for Lott's slot - including Sens. Bill Frist, Don Nickles, Rick Santorum, and Mitch McConnell. Sadly, all the contenders have similarly dismal records on issues relating to civil rights and equal opportunity.
And while President George W. Bush and other Republican Party leaders have publicly distanced themselves from Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott in the wake of his praise for Strom Thurmond's segregationist presidential campaign, there is little difference between Lott and the Bush administration when it comes to current civil rights policies. We invite you to read PFAW's report detailing these shared ideologies.
We are committed to continuing this national debate on race and equal opportunity. We appreciate your energy and support on this important issue. Stay tuned!
