Civil Rights Record and Judicial Philosophy of White House, Other Senate Leaders Key Issue

Trent Lott’s decision to step down under pressure turns the national spotlight on the White House and other Senate leaders, said People For the American Way President Ralph G. Neas today.

“The Republican Party’s civil rights problem is far broader and deeper than Trent Lott,” said Neas. “It was important to the nation that Lott be replaced as Majority Leader. It is more important that the White House and GOP leaders make a break not only with the segregationist past but with their policies and actions that continue to undermine civil rights protections in America today. This includes especially the efforts by President Bush to pack the federal judiciary with states’ rights ideologues.”

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,” said Neas, “all the contenders have similarly dismal records on issues relating to civil rights and equal opportunity.”