Trent Lott's big white tent

I've always thought that it was a shame that Sen. Trent Lott lost his Majority Leader position simply because of his fondness for segregation. So he yearns for a return of whites-only fountains and anti-miscegenation laws, that shouldn't disqualify him for the highest Republican Party position in the Senate. Heck, if anything it makes him more qualified--there's no conservative value that's more traditional than racial segregation.

That's why I'm concerned that he's starting to pander to the tolerant. Just yesterday, he said the following (MP3 file) about Our Leader's search for a Supreme Court nominee to replace Harriet Miers:

I want the President to look across the country and find the best man, woman, or minority that he can find.

Yes, that's right. He's saying he could support all three: a man, a woman, or even a minority. That's not the old Trent Lott saying that. Certainly, it can't be the real Trent Lott saying that. The Trent Lott we know and love would not give the same consideration to a minority that he gives to men and women.