When I first read this headline, I thought that this must’ve been instigated by the delusional Agenda Media trying to create a rift in the Republican Party. It still might be but it appears that Sen. Lott still would like to regain a position of power in the Senate Republican caucus. Here’s proof:

But he recently told the Sun Herald in Mississippi that if re-elected he might run for a Senate leadership post “just to make everybody nervous.” Back in July, NewsMax reported that Lott had set his sights on the job of party whip, the No. 2 GOP post.

If he thinks he’d be a viable candidate, then he’s obviously delusional. Jon Kyl will move into the Majority Whip position when Mitch McConnell gets elected Senate Majority Leader after the 06 midterm elections.

His decision could determine whether Republicans retain control of the Senate next year, according to nationally syndicated columnist Robert Novak. GOP officials in Mississippi believe Lott will probably retire, and they fear that would leave the door open for former State Attorney General Mike Moore, a Democrat, to win his Senate seat, Novak reports.

I don’t doubt that “GOP officials in Mississippi” told Novak this but I don’t find it credible that Mike Moore would defeat Skip Pickering if Lott retired. I don’t have any public opinion polls to support that but I’ve heard that Mr. Pickering ran an impressive campaign last time and is a rising star in the Mississippi GOP.

It’s also worth noting that Haley Barbour’s influence with party activists would be a huge advantage in fundraising. That’s something that shouldn’t be discounted in an open seat. Campaigning with Barbour, who is a popular governor, would also benefit Pickering.

Cross-posted at LetFreedomRing