Throw the bums out? Not in Mississippi

Whether the Senate seat opened up by Republican Trent Lott's surprise decision to resign before year's end adds to the burgeoning opportunities for Democrats to expand their slim majority in the chamber remains to be seen.

Former state Atty. Gen. Mike Moore, who gained national attention for helping pressure tobacco companies to cough up almost $250 billion for public coffers to pay for treatment of smoke-related illnesses, is a potentially strong Democratic contender. But Mississippi's definite Republican tilt likely means that the GOP will be favored to keep the seat.

Given another of the state's proclivities, whoever replaces Lott won't be looking for another job for decades. To say that Mississippians are inclined to return their senators to Washington is the very definition of understatement.

Lott was first elected to the Senate in 1988, replacing Democrat John Stennis, who had taken office in 1947. So over 60 years, that one seat has been held by all of two men. But turnover for the state's other slot in the Senate has been even less frequent.

Lott's Mississippi colleague, Republican Thad Cochran, was first elected in 1978. He replaced Democrat James Eastland, a legendary foe of civil rights legislation who had passed the torch after serving since 1943.

Cochran is seeking reelection next November. We doubt he's too worried about his prospects.

-- Don Frederick