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MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2002

Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado) continued to defend Senator Trent Lott (R-Mississippi) even after he stepped down as majority leader on Friday.

In comments to the Associated Press, Campbell, the only American Indian in the Senate, said the White House shouldn't have interfered in the controversy over Lott's racially divisive remarks. "I don't think it was fair. I don't think it was fair for the White House to meddle in it."

Campbell also said Lott was not racist. "I've known Trent a lot of years and I've never noticed one iota of prejudice in that guy," he told the AP. "Not one offhand comment or off-color joke."

On an appearance on MSNBC, Campbell echoed his concerns with Phil Donahue. "I think Trent became sort of a pawn in a bigger picture, because there was a lot of piling on from both sides of the aisle: conservative who wanted to cut the losses and have him out; and the White House, who wasn't offering much support; and, unfortunately, some exploitive Democrats who were angry and trying to paint the whole Republican Party with the comments that Trent made."

But he said Lott made the right decision to step down. "His comments were unacceptable, I think, to all Americans."

Get the Story:
Campbell says Lott was treated unfairly (AP 12/22)
Transcript: Phil Donahue (MSNBC 12/20)

Relevant Links:
Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell - http://campbell.senate.gov
Sen. Trent Lott - http://lott.senate.gov

Related Stories:
Lott faces leadership challenge (12/20)
Lott confident of leadership position (12/19)
Campbell says Lott is not racist (12/18)
Bush hands troubled Lott a death sentence (12/17)
Lott faces ouster as Senate leader (12/16)
Bush calls Lott comments 'offensive' (12/13)
Lott forced to apologize again (12/12)
Lott continues to face criticism (12/11)
Lott apologizes for 'racist' remarks (12/10)