Lott roasted

By Staff
Feb. 16, 2003
It was all in good fun and for a good cause Saturday night, but the important thing is that U.S. Sen. Trent Lott kept his date with the Mississippi Press Association and retained his sense of humor as he was roasted by reporters. He was the main target at an annual roast sponsored by the press association for the benefit of its education foundation, which helps fund internships and scholarships for aspiring journalists.
Lott, who made the press association date weeks before his well-publicized Dec. 5 comments on the occasion of U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday party, could have ducked out. But, being the astute politician he is, Lott came and subjected himself to another dose of rhetorical abuse. And he did it good naturedly.
In a lighthearted moment with reporters before the event, Lott said he wasn't really concerned about what was going to be said about him during the roast.
Asked what he was going to say in response, Lott said his staff had prepared some remarks, most of which he wouldn't use, which always makes them nervous, because I have learned sometimes when you ad lib, it can get you in trouble.''