Interview with John Sherman Cooper, June 8, 1980

Interview Summary

Cooper begins the interview by discussing some of the most important qualities for an ambassador. Cooper addresses some of the rumors over the years regarding his possible appointment to prominent political positions such as the secretary of the interior. Cooper describes his 1956 campaign for the Senate against Wetherby. Cooper explains the circumstances that led him to run for the Senate in 1956. Cooper remembers the 1956 split within the Kentucky Democratic Party over who to nominate as candidates in the two Senate races. Cooper compares the campaign style of Wetherby to other political opponents he has encountered. The role that Louie Nunn played in the campaign is considered. Cooper discusses 1956 campaign logistics, including travel and campaign finance. Cooper articulates what part his wife Lorraine played in the 1956 campaign. Cooper's divorce was made into a campaign issue by certain opponents. Cooper maintains that he always made attempts to appeal to organized labor during campaigns. Cooper's working relationships with prominent labor leaders Walter Reuther and John L. Lewis are assessed. Cooper remembers how he reacted to Thruston Morton winning over Earle Clements in 1956. Cooper talks of his interactions with Earle Clements in D.C. after the 1956 race. Cooper illustrates the importance of civil rights during the 1956 Republican National Convention. Cooper considers how he became popular with Black voters in 1956. Cooper highlights the committees that he served on during the 1957-1959 session of Congress. Cooper recalls his position on the Filibuster Amendment of 1957. Cooper evaluates why his 1957 Aid to Education bill did not pass the House. Cooper's 1957 bill to provide TVA with the ability to self-finance its own power production is discussed. A 1957 bill to create a dam at the Snake River in Idaho is also mentioned. Cooper concludes the interview with a reflection on the influence and power of Senator Warren Magnuson.

Interview Keyword

Albert "Happy" Chandler Abe Fortas Andrew Duncan Ben D. Smith Political campaigns Carl Perkins Charles Taft Congress Dr. Frank A. "Tommye" Rose Dr. Arthur Allen Earle Clements Ezra Taft Benson Governor Lawrence Wetherby Hell's Canyon Project John W. Gardner John Y. Brown Judge Charles I. Dawson Kentucky Homemakers Labor Committee Power and electric companies President John F. Kennedy Railroad Retirement Act Robert Taft Senator Dennis Chavez Senator Earle C. Clements Senator Thruston B. Morton United Mines Workers Virgil Chapman Walter Reuther Senate Senators Alben Barkley 1956 Senatorial Campaign Republicans Kentucky Democrats Louie Nunn Campaign finance Lorraine Cooper Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare U.S. Ambassador to India John F. Kennedy U.S. Ambassador to East Germany Secretary of the interior Supreme Court John L. Lewis 1956 Republican National Convention Filibusters 85th U.S. Congress Clinton Anderson Aid to Education bill Lyndon Johnson Warren Magnuson

Interview LC Subject

Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991 Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991--Interviews Politicians Politicians--United States Politics and government United States--Politics and government Civil rights Civil rights movement Washington (D.C.) Kentucky Kentuckians Ambassadors Rumors Death Divorce Labor Labor unions United Mine Workers of America United Automobile Workers (A.F. of L.) African Americans Black people Education Tennessee Valley Authority Electricity Snake River Plain (Idaho and Or.)

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

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