Hotline After Dark: Lott-A Shakin' Goin On

A lot of focus last night on the situation in Iraq and the kidnappings there. On the politics side there was some leadership talk along with a side of WH '08:

Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO), on the minority whip's race: "Many Democrats that were elected on Tuesday ran as Republicans, essentially, at home. They just said they were better than the Republican they were running against. The right kind of whip operation won't allow that to happen. When you look at any criticisms of leadership in the last few years, I don't think there's ever been one of how the majority whip's operation ran."

On reports he should step down and let Eric Cantor take the job: "I don't know about that. I know he's helping me win. He's running my campaign. He's a great friend of mine. I'm glad I brought him into the whip team as my deputy. I think Eric Cantor is going to be the whip in the House someday, maybe the speaker of the House someday. But right now we're working together to get this job done."

Asked if he'll be able to work with Pelosi: "We'll see" ("Situation Room," CNN, 11/14).

CNN's Bash, on the GOP SEN leadership race: "There could be a surprise inside the Senate's Republican ranks. Four years after his own GOP colleagues forced him out as majority leader, Trent Lott is plotting a comeback, running to become the No. 2 Republican in the Senate" ("Lou Dobbs Tonight," 11/14).

FNC's Garrett: "Republican Senate sources tell Fox that they very much expect Lott to win that race. Returning to a leadership table that the White House pressured him out of several years back. If Lott wins, it will be a testament not only to his ability to count votes, but also a signal Republicans will be sending the Bush White House that they're no longer going to follow their lead in all matters" ("Special Report," 11/14).

ALL ABOUT '08

FNC's Colmes to John Edwards: "Everybody, of course, wants to know about your future ambitions."

Edwards: "Yes. I'm not sure everybody wants to know."

Colmes: "How can I ask the question to get a definite answer?"

Edwards: "Anyway you ask it you're going to get a maybe."

More Edwards: "Listen, I don't need to be cute about this. I'm very seriously thinking about running for president. I'll decide in the next few months. Probably the single most important factor for me personally is to make sure that my wife Elizabeth continues to do well health wise. And right now, knock on wood, you know, you know, she had breast cancer. She's doing great. She's cancer-free. So that all looks good."

Asked what he'll do if John Kerry runs: "It doesn't matter in my decision what other people do" ("Hannity & Colmes," FNC, 11/14).

Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), on WH '08: "It's possible at some time before the end of the year we'll have an exploratory committee to do some of the things that only an exploratory committee can do. But I wouldn't look to make a final decision or some sort of formal announcement until after the holidays. You're interested in this, I'm interested in this, some of your viewers are, my guess is that a majority of Americans would like a little rest from politics for the time being."

CNN's Blitzer: "Is Hillary Clinton, your colleague from New York State, too polarizing to be elected president from a Democrat's perspective?"

Bayh: "No, and I should make clear that I like Mrs. Clinton. But the question is, who maximizes our chances of being successful. Of course, she can win, but the question is who gives us the best chance."

Asked if he's suggesting that it's him: "No, I'm not. Perhaps that's a discussion for another day" ("Situation Room," CNN, 12/14).

ONCE MORE WITH FEELING

Once again, "Scarborough Country" aired the portion of the "LKL" interview where Bill Maher made accusations against Ken Mehlman. After the clip aired, MSNBC's Scarborough: "We upset a lot of people when we ran that clip last
night. And some of Ken Mehlman's friends wanted us to know that Mehlman actually has denied being gay" (MSNBC, 11/14). [EMILY GOODIN]