TRENT LOTT BADMOUTHS SANTA CLAUS!
Tuesday • December 10, 2002

WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate majority leader Trent Lott (R-MS) thinks the nation would be "better off" without Santa Claus.

The conservative senator voiced his opinion at a birthday party for his longtime collegue and close friend, The Grinch. "Let's face it, folks," Lott said. "We'd all be better off had The Grinch managed to cancel Christmas when he had the chance all those years ago."

Santa Claus could not be reached for comment, but sources close to the jolly gift giver say he was not surprised by Lott's comments.

"Santa's been giving that guy chunks of coal for years," said one elf, on condition of anonymity. "And he can probably expect more of the same this year."