Insert fork into encased sausage product

Because he's done.

Embattled Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) announced this morning that he is stepping down from his leadership post, just a day after Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) launched a campaign to oust him.

Lott said he would serve the four years left in his term, thus helping to ensure that the Republican Party maintains control of the Senate.

"In the interest of pursuing the best possible agenda for the future of our country, I will not seek to remain as majority leader of the United States Senate for the 108th Congress, effective Jan. 6, 2003," Lott said in a written statement. "To all those who offered me their friendship, support and prayers, I will be eternally grateful. I will continue to serve the people of Mississippi in the United States Senate."

Lott had come under fire for comments he made Dec. 5 in support of Strom Thurmond's pro-segregation presidential campaign in 1948. Since then, the comments have erupted into one of the most remarkable and unusual political storms in recent memory. Lott had battled to keep his leadership job but in the past week a growing number of GOP senators had concluded that if he stayed, he would severely damage the party.

And to think, I believed Lott was going to get away with it. Just call me Mr. Pundit.