Republican critics call it a deathwatch.
Old friends say they have never seen Thurmond in such poor shape. His physical condition seems to be deteriorating, with diminishing hope for a recovery. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, in conversations with colleagues, has been particularly concerned that he will soon be minority leader. That would be enough to turn the Senate to a 51-49 Democratic edge, at least until the 2002 South Carolina Senate election, in which Republican Rep. Lindsey Graham is the early favorite. They complain that Specter's comments tend to eclipse Clinton's post-presidential antics and make the former president an object of sympathy rather than scorn.