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Lott says it's 'time to do something else' |
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By Jackie Kucinich
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Posted: 11/26/07 01:35 PM [ET] |
Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott (R-Miss.) announced Monday he will retire from the upper chamber by the end of 2007.
"I'm announcing that I will be retiring by the end of the year," Lott said during a press conference in Mississippi, adding that he and his wife Trisha decided it was "time to do something else."
Lott stressed that he is healthy and is simply ready to move on.
Sources on Capitol Hill said lobbying is Lott's aim and his decision to leave the Senate a year after being reelected was prompted by new lobbying rules that prohibit former senators from lobbying former colleagues or staff for two years after leaving office. The "revolving door" law goes into effect Dec. 31, 2007.
Asked during the press conference about the possibility of landing on K Street, Lott demurred, saying he was keeping all of his options open.
"I'm not really in negotiations with [a lobbying firm]," he said.
Lott joked he also would like to be considered for the University of Mississippi's football coach position.
Lott nearly retired in 2006, but decided to stay in the Senate to help with the reconstruction of areas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Lott famously lost his house during the 2005 storm.
The junior senator from Mississippi was elected in 1988 after serving 16 years in the House. He rose quickly through Senate leadership, becoming the first whip to be elected in the House and the Senate in 1994.
He was elected majority leader in 1996, serving in that capacity until a controversial comment at a 2002 speech for then-Sen. Strom Thurmond's (R-S.C.) 100th birthday party caused him to resign the post.
"I took a few licks, I made some mistakes," Lott said Monday.
He said he anticipated someone young and possibly in his or her 40s would replace him, citing Mississippi tradition.
"I do think that it's time for Mississippi to elect a new person, a younger person," he said. "We have had a very good history in Mississippi of electing young people to office, usually in their 40s, and them staying there 20, 30, 40 years. It’s served us well."
Rep. Chip Pickering (R-Miss.), 44, and Rep. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), 56, have been mentioned as possible successors to Lott.
In a statement, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) spoke fondly of Lott, calling him a "true friend."
"Senator Lott is one of the strongest defenders of the institution of the Senate and one of the most pleasant senators I have ever worked with," Reid said. "I am proud to have worked side by side with such a distinguished public servant as Trent Lott and I wish him well as he leaves the Senate."
Lott said that he called President Bush Sunday to inform him of his decision. Lott had previously suggested that Bush played a role in forcing him to resign as majority leader in 2002.
"We had a good conversation," he said. "He was very generous ... he understood."
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