“Choice of words:” From the Nashville Tennessean, a history lesson from Senator Bill Frist, the man George W. Bush would probably like to see replace Trent Lott:

“Senator Lott’s choice of words was insensitive and poorly chosen,” said Frist, a Republican. “Segregationist policies are the saddest chapter in our nation’s history, and comments from any elected official that suggest support for these offensive policies of the past must be condemned.”

Funny, I could have sworn that something called slavery was “the saddest chapter in our nation’s history.” But maybe they don’t teach young Senators-to-be about that down in Tennessee.

(Yes, he really did say Lott’s “choice of words” was “poorly chosen.” More proof that these kinds of statements aren’t much more than ritual speech.) [12:31 PM]