| − | After graduating from [[Ole Miss]], Trent Lott was the staffer for Rules Committee chairman [[William Colmer]], a conservative Democrat. When Colmer retired in 1972, Lott ran as a Republican, receiving Colmer's endorsement.<ref>http://archives.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/12/16/timep.lott.tm/</ref>. In the House, Lott achieved prominence, serving as Minority Whip from 1981-1989. In 1988 he was elected to the United States Senate to succeed [[John Stennis]]. In the Senate, he has served as Majority Leader and Minority Leader, and is currently serving as the Minority Whip. | + | After graduating from the [[University of Mississippi]] at Oxford, Trent Lott was the staffer for Rules Committee chairman [[William Colmer]], a conservative Democrat. When Colmer retired in 1972, Lott ran as a Republican for the House and received Colmer's endorsement.<ref>http://archives.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/12/16/timep.lott.tm/</ref>. In the House, Lott defended President [[Richard M. Nixon]] in [[Watergate]] and achieved prominence as Minority Whip from 1981-1989. In 1988 he was elected to the United States Senate to succeed [[John Stennis]]. In the Senate, he has served as Majority Leader and Minority Leader, and is currently the Minority Whip. |
| − | Lott resigned his position as Majority Leader after commenting that things would have been better had [[Strom Thurmond]] won his presidential bid. This angered many people, as Thurmond had run on a pro-segregation platform. | + | Lott resigned his position as Majority Leader after commenting that things would have been better had [[Strom Thurmond]] won his presidential bid in 1948. This angered many people, as Thurmond had run on a pro-segregation and states' rights platform. |
| | In 2007, Lott has come under increasing fire from many conservatives for his support of [[amnesty]] for [[illegal immigrants]]. His seat comes up for election in 2012, and there is speculation that Lott will not seek a fifth Senate term. | | In 2007, Lott has come under increasing fire from many conservatives for his support of [[amnesty]] for [[illegal immigrants]]. His seat comes up for election in 2012, and there is speculation that Lott will not seek a fifth Senate term. |