The Revival of Trent Lott

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The White House is doing its best to mend fences too. Vice President Dick Cheney, an old hunting buddy of Lott's from their days together in the House, called him soon after the Senate vote. And as I was interviewing Lott late last Thursday evening, Rob Portman, the White House director of Management and Budget, patiently waited until I finished so that he could tell me how great he thought Lott was. "He's very effective," Portman said. "He's a skilled tactician and strategist. A rare combination of unparalleled experience."

By then Lott had moved back to the floor of the Senate, where he was working the room, accepting one congratulatory handshake after another for his return to power. When one well wisher added his compliments to the chorus, Lott beamed at him and called out in his trademark baritone, "Hey, hey! I can still count votes!"