Lott Outta Here?

Mary Katharine Ham | November 26, 2007 8:05 AM

NBC News has learned that Trent Lott's in the midst of informing close allies that he plans to resign his senate seat before the end of the year. It's possible a formal announcement of his plans could take place as early as today.

If he retires, Republican Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi would appoint his replacement to serve before a special election is held. Lott will be the 6th Republican senator to bail on the Senate in light of our impending utter defeat in '08. Ha. I keed, I keed. Sort of. Special election possibilities:

Rep. Chip Pickering (R-Miss.), who announced his retirement from the House earlier this year, would be a leading candidate for the Senate seat in the special election. Another possible GOP contender for the seat would be Rep. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)

On the Democratic side, former Mississippi Attorney General Mike Moore has been mentioned as a strong statewide candidate in an otherwise heavily Republican state.

Update: Speaking of defeat, we're recruiting rich guys to make up the ridiculous fundraising gap with Democrats.

These wealthy Republicans have each already invested $100,000 to $1 million of their own money to finance their campaigns, according to campaign finance disclosure reports and interviews with party strategists. Experts say that is a large amount for this early in the cycle.
In New York’s 20th Congressional District, in the Albany area, Alexander Treadwell, an independently wealthy former State Republican Party chairman, has invested more than $320,000 of his money in a race that Republicans predict will cost each candidate at least $3 million.

God bless 'em.