What price did Lott pay for attending and speaking at the meeting? None. He kept on his merry way, speaking his mind in 'safe' places as though he had no worries about keeping his public stance separate from the private. He has done that for years.

The difference this time is that C-Span was there. (Ha! I just realized that soon there will be a ban on allowing reporters into 'private' birthday parties. As though a 100th birthday party for a senator were private.)