Mark Kleiman makes an excellent point about Trent Lott's future. If he were to be "dissed" by members of his own party and not re-elected to his position as Majority Leader, then he he might well "retire" leaving open the chance for the appointment of a Democratic replacement, since the Gov of MS is a Dem. Toss in a shot of Lincoln Chaffee bolting to join Jim Jeffords (a more likely scenario than McCain leaving) and it could be a horse race...quickly. Damage control in the WH would be pretty amusing to watch too. I'm sure that Lott had no expectations that Dubya would put on such an aggrieved face in public, no matter what he really thinks (I'm pretty sure he agrees with all of Lott's real sentiments).