Republican and Conservative political analysis and commentary

Trent Lott, perhaps the greatest Republican politician of recent decades, has announced today that he will resign before the end of the year.

Lott, the current Senate Minority Whip and former Senate Majority Leader, is best known for his remarks that "we wouldn’t have had all these problems over the years" if Strom Thurmond had been elected President when he ran as a segregationist.

Lott was personally affected by Hurricane Katrina losing his home in the storm, and almost didn't run for reelection. While Lott hasn't made an official statement on the reasons for the resignation, an adviser says he's ready to move on and has done what he could for Mississippi in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

However, the more likely reason is that tighter restrictions on former members of Congress becoming lobbyists is set to take effect next year, and Lott doesn't want to wait to cash in on his experience. By resigning early, he is essentially able to skirt the law.

Good luck to you, Senator Lott.