"GOP Chairman Michael Steele, in appearances on two Sunday news programs, compared Reid’s predicament with the circumstances that led Senate Republican leader Trent Lott to step down from that post in 2002. Lott had spoken favorably of the 1948 segregationist presidential campaign of Strom Thurmond, and in spite of apologies for those remarks at Thurmond’s 100th birthday, Lott was forced out as leader.
"'There is this standard where the Democrats feel that they can say these things and they can apologize when it comes from the mouths of their own. But if it comes from anyone else, it’s racism,' said Steele, who is black. 'It’s either racist or it’s not. And it’s inappropriate, absolutely.'
"Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said in a statement that Reid should step down, calling his comments 'embarrassing and racially insensitive.'
"'It’s difficult to see this situation as anything other than a clear double standard on the part of Senate Democrats and others,' Cornyn said.
"Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein of California and Jack Reed of Rhode Island joined other Democrats in saying Reid’s apology and Obama’s statement were enough. They also rejected comparisons to the Lott episode.
(That is a crock -- Robert)
"I think that’s a totally different context. Harry Reid made a misstatement,' Reed said. 'He owned up to it. He apologized. I think he is mortified by the statement he’s made. And I don’t think he should step down.'"
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