Lott of Trouble, Support Slipping
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: As you know by now, Trent Lott has apologized several times for what are being called segregationist remarks, but the senator's mea culpa is falling on deaf ears, and his support in his own party is slipping. This weekend, there was a major break with the Mississippi senator. Our Gary Tuchman has details for you.</s>GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A fellow Republican senator calls for a vote for a new Senate Republican leader. Trent Lott learns about it before he heads for church.</s>SEN. TRENT LOTT (R), MISSISSIPPI: It's Sunday morning, and we're going to my hometown church. So, that's what I'm focused on this morning.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just have one quick comment about that, though, Senator Nickles made a point to also say this on Sunday.</s>LOTT: Well, you let him explain that. See you.</s>TUCHMAN: Oklahoma's Don Nickles, former Republican whip, who could become a candidate for majority leader, declared: "I am concerned Senator Lott has been weakened to the point that it may jeopardize his ability to enact our agenda and speak to all Americans. There are several outstanding senators who are more than capable of effective leadership, and I hope we have an ability to choose." Nickles is the first Republican to call for a vote. But if five Republican senators call for a closed-door meeting to discuss the possibility, that such a meeting will be held. And Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel and Virginia's John Warner have now called for that.</s>SEN. JOHN WARNER (R), VIRGINIA: It is our responsibility as a group to come together, make a decision and then go forward. Not to let this thing be dangling out there day after day.</s>TUCHMAN: Trent Lott received an enthusiastic welcome in his hometown church. Congregates at the First Baptist Church of Pascagoula shook his hand and hugged him. All of the 400 plus people there were white, except for a family of five African-Americans who came in late, saying they were visiting the church for the first time. That family also later greeted Trent Lott. The Senate majority leader received a 45-second ovation after the pastor said -- quote -- "Senator Lott, we love you, we accept your apology, and you have our prayers and support." (on camera): But will he get the support he needs to keep his leadership position? It's too early to tell, but these Republican rumblings indicate that Trent Lott might have to gear up for an intra- party battle. Gary Tuchman, CNN, Pascagoula, Mississippi.