Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), president-elect of the Congressional Black Caucus, said his organization would take a serious look at the Republican voting record in the next Congress and pay close attention to White House judicial nominations. "I think Trent Lott gave the Republican Party an opportunity to look at itself," Cummings said. "If there is a new consciousness, then synchronize this new consciousness with your conduct. Show me that you want progress, that you want a progressive agenda. The words are not enough."

And trying to do it just to win votes is not enough either.