(AP) ….The announcement of Trent Lott as the Rev. Al Sharpton’s vice-presidential running mate stunned Washington insiders this week. Nonetheless many analysts said this could be a very shrewd move. “Trent Lott brings to this ticket precisely what Sharpton lacks: appeal to Southern white men, legislative experience in Washington, and less threatening hair,” quipped Norm Ornstein. Others were more enthusiastic. “Truly, the grandchildren of slaves and slaveowners have come together for a better future,” editorialized the New York Times in favor of the move.

Mr. Lott, a late convert to Mr. Sharpton’s civil rights agenda, was an improbable sight last week at Harlem’s Apollo Theater in New York, the location for Sharpton’s announcement. “This is the dream team for justice my brothers and sisters!” Mr. told the cheering audience. Mr. Lott promised to “carry on the fights of Dr. King, Minister Malcolm, and my dear friend Reverand Sharpton.” The loudest applause came when Lott shouted: “You want reparations? I know where the money is burried! Together we can do it!”

Mr. Lott got into considerable hot water late in 2002 for suggesting that things would be better if former segregationist Strom Thurmond had been elected president in 1948. But since then Mr. Lott has worked hard to make amends with the African-American community. He apologized 612 times over the following year, according to a chart on Senator Lott’s website. He hosted a popular weekly televsion program on Black Entertainment Television called, “Trent Apologizes” which allows African-American callers to blame the Mississippi Senator for anything from bad weather to the Masonic symbols on the U.S. dollar.

While most observers were shocked by Lott’s announcement, some suggested they saw this coming. “I knew Lott was up to something when he started talking about how Tawana told the truth,” says Mickey Kaus, who runs a website called “Kausfiles.com.”…..