Trent Lott to announce decision today at 3:30PM EST.

[napi21]

Rain is forecast today for Pascagoula, MS, Republican Sen. Trent Lott's hometown, where he'll announce at 12 noon ET whether or not he'll seek a fourth term, with a second announcement in Jackson, MS at 3:30 pm ET. NBC's Ken Strickland reports that Lott also has scheduled a news conference on the Hill for Wednesday. Although Lott's decision remains TBD at this writing, these are not the exercises a Senator typically goes through when announcing he's sticking around.

Lott has had a long and storied career in Congress, but is most recognized for having had to give up the Senate Republican leader post in December 2002 to quell a public relations firestorm sparked by some racially insensitive remarks he made at a birthday party for Strom Thurmond. It's generally believed that the Bush White House helped engineer both Lott's resignation and the ascendance of Bill Frist, who replaced Lott as leader. If so, Lott might now be relishing the White House's entreaties to him to stay in the Senate to keep his seat from falling into Democratic hands.

If Lott decides not to seek re-election, Democrats will have a strong chance to win this seat despite Mississippi being a bright-red state, and they'll also inch closer to a legitimate if still uphill chance to take back control of the Senate. Analysts expect an open-seat race to be a toss-up between former state Attorney General Mike Moore (D) and Rep. Chip Pickering (R). Democrats must net six seats in November to take back the Senate -- a steep challenge that could become a tad easier with the addition of an unexpected Republican vacancy and a formidable Democratic candidate.

http://www.firstread.msnbc.com/

[Stephanie]

1. Is it my birthday?

What a great present!

[napi21]

2. Happy B-Day! I sure HOPE they're right on their guess!

I'd LOVE to have a Dem Senator in Miss! I know, I live in Ga. but it's always great the hear when a Dem makes headway in a Southern State!

[Daylin Byak]

3. Isn't this great

Trent Lott possibly stepping down and a dem taking his seat in the sentance(I thought it couldn't happen)

Wouldn't it be great to have the man who almost brought down big tobacco in the Senate?

[lpbk2713]

4. His major decision revolves around .....

"Have I made enough money yet? And can I still make more by influence peddling?"

[napi21]

5. You COULD be right, but I wonder if there isn't more to it than that.

He's still pi**ed at the Admin. for not sticking behind him to keep his leadership spot, and Shrub's response to Katrina didn't make that relationship any better!

I wonder if there's not just a little anger and payback involved in this decision too?

[lpbk2713]

6. That's true too.

He just might have an axe that needs grinding.

[DanCa]

7. Hopefully frog face'll retire

My hatred for Lott is only seconded to Sanatorum and Denny Hastert

[displacedtexan]

8. Run, Trent! RUN!!!!!!!!!!

I want every damned one of Lott's crimes exposed in public. If he quits and takes his
war chest with him, his sleaze will ooze down the rabbit hole with him.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

9. well, he does have that new porch to build.