The more inclusive Cochran approach contrasted with an embarrassing experience that Trent Lott encountered in his successful 1988 bid to the U.S. Senate. After his opponent, Congressman Wayne Dowdy, had accused Lott of having hired only 2 blacks among the 163 people he had hired since his election to the U.S. House in 1972, Lott responded that he had hired 5 or 6 and that few African-Americans had ever come to him for a job (Coleman, 1993; Shaffer, 1991).
So from January 73 to Summer 88... in 15 years... Lott hired 5 or 6 of them colored folks out of 163 staffers. 3% of his staff in other words. In a state that is 36.6% african american. Does Lott feel shagrined by this? Does it bother him to even hire a few "colored folks" for PR purposes?
No.
In 1999, the Washington Post, during the CCC involvement scandal with Lott, took a look at his staffing once again. He now had 1 black, a mail room worker, on a staff of 65. Or 1.5% of his staff... again in a state with 36.6% black citizens, when the national average is 12.3%.
I am not a proponent of affirmative action, but this is scandalous. Any US company with this kind of record would be hauled into court. Of course Congress exempts itself from civil rights violations.