Interview with Colgate S. Prentice, November 13, 1979

Interview Summary

Colgate Prentice, a former administrative assistant in Senator John Sherman Cooper's Washington D.C. office during the early 1960s, begins the interview by providing an overview of his educational and professional background. Prentice explains how he was hired at Senator Cooper's office. Prentice also recalls his time spent working in Richard Nixon's office. Prentice recounts his experiences as a Cooper staffer and speech writer. Several episodes are recalled that typify the difficulties of coordinating Senator Cooper's diverse office staff. Mailings were often sent out without the Senator's approval, occasionally producing embarrassing results. Prentice remembers Cooper's daily routine and habits. He talks about the campaigning advice given to John F. Kennedy while running against Humphrey in West Virginia in 1960. The interviewee characterizes the working relationship between Cooper and Thruston Morton. How Cooper was able to become a successful politician is also mentioned. The publicity habits of Senator Cooper's office are explored. Prentice details Nixon's possible selection of Thruston Morton as his vice presidential running mate during the 1960 campaign. Prentice talks of Senators that Cooper got along with the most, as well as how Cooper interacted with Kentucky politicians on Capitol Hill. Prentice considers Cooper's involvement with civil rights legislation in the early 1960s. Cooper's role in Thruston Morton's 1962 Senatorial campaign is explored. Prentice describes Cooper's tendency to be indecisive when making decisions. Additionally, Prentice talks of Cooper's second wife, Lorraine, and his closest friends. To conclude the interview, Prentice describes Cooper's personality.

Interview Keyword

John Sherman Cooper Bailey Guard Bush Brook Clancy Adame Louisville Courier-Journal Dwight Eisenhower Burke Marshall Jeff Drummond Joe Brook Kitty Florence Lee White Peter Frelinghaus James E. Carter Richard Garrish Roscoe Drummond Ruth Midthun Sam Zagoria U.S. Senate Swarthmore College Ted Sorenson Virginia Washington Post William S. White Senators Richard Nixon Schedules Thruston Morton James B. Pearson Jacob Javits Kentucky politicians U.S. House of Representatives John F. Kennedy Hubert Humphrey Indecisive Lorraine Cooper Friends

Interview LC Subject

Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991 Politicians Politicians--United States Politics and government Prentice, Colgate S. Prentice, Colgate S.--Interviews United States--Politics and government Personality Princeton University Washington (D.C.) Staff Office management Organization Letters Character Publicity Press Public relations West Virginia Civil rights movement Civil rights Procrastination

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.