1967: Early Promise
Graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School; admitted to the state bar.

1969: Political Start
Made an assistant U.S. Attorney by President Richard Nixon; prosecuted bank-robbery cases in Nashville. 

1973: Hot Seat
Became the minority counsel for the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, a.k.a. the Watergate committee; questioned witnesses on prime-time TV.

1975: Spheres of Influence
Began a long career as a lobbyist, representing such high-profile clients as Westinghouse and the Teamsters’ Central States Pension Fund over the years.

1994: Political Breakout
Elected by Tennesseans to the U.S. Senate, where he served until 2003.

2004: Hail to the Chief
Narrated a video tribute introducing President George W. Bush at the Republican National Convention.

2005: Supreme Adviser
Served as an adviser to Supreme Court nominee John Roberts, guiding him through the Senate confirmation process. Roberts went on to win the Senate’s approval by a vote of 78 to 22.