Washington, DC — After the Sunday news programs are over, a handful of plugged-in Georgetowners always heads over to Martin’s Tavern at Wisconsin and N for brunch and political gossip.
Despite the focus on Iraq and foreign policy on this morning’s shows, the big intra-Beltway news was the
fact Mississippi Sen. Trent Lott demurred when NBC’s David Gregory — subbing for Tim Russert — queried the former Majority Leader about now-Majority Leader Bill Frist’s character.
Asked by Gregory whether Frist, who challenged and succeeded Lott as Senate majority leader in 2002, has the character to be president, Lott paused before answering.
“I think I’d have to think about that,” said Lott.
Ouch.
One Martin’s regular, laughing on his way out the door while discussing the public diss with his entourage, observed rather crudely that Lott gave Frist what he deserved for his alleged betrayal: a kick in the groin — although the more common vernacular was what patron’s heard over their eggs benedict, lattes and twin copies of the Times and the Post.