Herding Cats, by Trent Lott: on Principles & Values

Bill Clinton: 1996: Legislative alliance with GOP Senate Leader Trent Lott

What Morris proposed was a highly unusual alliance between the president of the US and the majority leader of the opposing party, with himself serving as clandestine intermediary. It may have been unique in the history of American politics.

Morris's plan was stunning in its audacity. He wanted me to forge a working relationship with Bill Clinton to enact a series of landmark bills. As Morris pointed out, both the Republican Senate Conference and Clinton would benefit from a series of legislative coups. Morris embraced my suggestions for major welfare reform, a balanced budget act, that would include Medicare cuts, and immigration reform.

Phil Gramm: Switched party after backlash from Gramm-Latta bill

A professor with a doctorate in economics, Phil Gramm had real authority on the subject; he staked his reputation on the vote, and he lobbied his fellow Democrats endlessly to join him, particularly those from the South.

The voting was tough and close. Gramm, known as "the prophet of free enterprise," was martyred by vengeful Democrats over this vote. They moved to strip him of his committee assignments, and promised to campaign against him in Texas.

Laer he came to my office. "Trent, I'm going to switch parties," he said. "I'm going to fly to Texas, announce that I'm resigning from office, and running for reelection as a Republican." Gramm resigned his seat on Jan. 5, 1983. In a special election less than 6 weeks later, he was reelected as a Republican.

Trent Lott: Resides on Mississippi Coast overlooking Gulf of Mexico

Occasionally the pelicans dive into the Gulf, then soar from the surface with their catch.

Trent Lott: Resigned as Senate Leader over 2002 toast to Strom Thurmond

The ragtag army of press representatives had been there ever since the remarks I'd made about Sen. Strom Thurmond at an affair celebrating his 100th birthday.

The pundits had transformed those forty words into a racial furor ten days earlier. My innocent and thoughtless remark was treated by most of the media as a hanging offense.

The phones had rarely been still. During this morning alone, I'd taken calls of support from three key Republican senators; they all pledged to back whatever decision I made. There also were calls from other GOP senators, terrified that the spreading political brushfire might engulf the Senate as a whole.

After all my editing, the statement came down to one sentence: "In the interest of pursuing the best possible agenda for the future of our country, I will not seek to remain as majority leader of the US Senate for the 108th Congress effective Jan. 6, 2003."

Trent Lott: 1996: Legislative alliance with Bill Clinton via Dick Morris

What Morris proposed was a highly unusual alliance between the president of the US and the majority leader of the opposing party, with himself serving as clandestine intermediary. It may have been unique in the history of American politics.

Morris wanted me to forge a working relationship with Bill Clinton to enact a series of landmark bills. Morris embraced my suggestions for major welfare reform, a balanced budget act, that would include Medicare cuts, and immigration reform.

After thinking it over, I agreed to Dick's unorthodox suggestion [even though it would hurt the GOP's presidential chances in 1996]. Why, you might ask? I've always had a great enthusiasm for making law--and I believe that was why my constituents sent me to the Senate in the first place.