Michael Medved makes a number of good points on the Lott situation, and brings up one that hadn't previously occurred to me, though it's obvious once pointed out.

In the case of Trent Lott, there's not even an impressive record of success to recommend him. His career in the national limelight has produced a long series of public embarrassments and in each election they faced with Lott as their majority leader, Republicans actually lost seats in the Senate.

That says it all.