Ambition and Achievement: The Senate Republican Leadership of Trent Lott

With hindsight, the U.S. Senate under the leadership of Trent Lott (R-MS) appears as a high point of bipartisan cooperation in a chamber that has become increasingly partisan and polarized over the past half-century. Despite his highly conservative voting record, Lott proved to be a highly effective majority leader during the second term of President Bill Clinton, forging several critical bipartisan compromises with the White House as well as a good working relationship with his Democratic counterpart, Tom Daschle (D-SD). Lott also played a critical role in conducting the highly contentious impeachment trial of President Clinton in a manner that did not detract from the reputation of the Senate and maintained important cross-party relationships. With Daschle, Lott also managed the 50/50 Senate in 2001 and succeeded in building bipartisan majorities for several important elements of the legislative agenda of President George W. Bush. Lott’s successes as Senate majority and minority leader were due to his mastery of several of the critical skills essential to the position, such as a solid grasp of Senate norms and procedures, an understanding of the importance of a good working relationship with his Democratic counterpart, an aptitude for counting votes, and strong communications skills (a critical asset for contemporary congressional party leaders).