"If he decides to run for re-election," Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) said last week "itís very likely he will seek to re-enter the ranks of GOP leadership posts opening up after the 2006 elections," Roll Call reports.
"For now, however, Lott is holding back on revealing what post he might shoot for, and five of the six leadership spots are still up in the air after Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) retires at the end of 2006. Majority Whip Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has already secured more than 40 pledges of commitment for that job, well more than necessary to take over for Frist."
"Lottís open musings about entering a leadership race comes as another race ó one the Mississippian may enter himself ó has begun to take shape. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) is running for Whip, in a race that could pit him against Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), who is up against his six-year term limit as Conference chairman and is looking to jump from the No. 3 to No. 2 spot."