CNN is now reporting that Jeffords is issuing a statement in Lott's defense.

Does he think that this will get him his committee assignment back? Or support for the dairy compacts? Boy, he sure has a knack for leaping aboard sinking ships.

Sorry for so much Lott posting, and so little else, but this whole incident has really made me realize just how much I've despised Lott for years, particularly since the impeachment trial. Getting him out of leadership of the Senate would be a glorious thing.

"I think Lott's a great guy and should still be majority leader because he pretended not to know I was going to defect until it was too late, despite the fact half his caucus saw it coming a mile away."

[/Jeffords]