| − | 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. | + | 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/ Lott: Tripped up by history], Dan Goodgame and Karen Tumulty, CNN.com, December 16, 2002</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. |
| | Long attacked by the [[liberal]] media, they forced Lott to resign his position as Majority Leader after he praised [[Strom Thurmond]] at his 100th birthday party in connection with his presidential bid in 1948. Media reports implied that it was racist for Lott to praise Thurmond in such a manner, as Thurmond had run on a pro-segregation and states' rights platform. Lott was then replaced as Majority Leader by the Bush-selected Senator [[Bill Frist]], who was inexperienced and less effective in running the [[U.S. Senate]]. | | Long attacked by the [[liberal]] media, they forced Lott to resign his position as Majority Leader after he praised [[Strom Thurmond]] at his 100th birthday party in connection with his presidential bid in 1948. Media reports implied that it was racist for Lott to praise Thurmond in such a manner, as Thurmond had run on a pro-segregation and states' rights platform. Lott was then replaced as Majority Leader by the Bush-selected Senator [[Bill Frist]], who was inexperienced and less effective in running the [[U.S. Senate]]. |
| − | 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. <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312866,00.html Sen. Trent Lott to Resign by End of Year] [[Fox News Channel|Fox News]], November 26, 2007</ref> |