Interview with William Harold Greider, April 22, 1980

Interview Summary

William Greider, a journalist, begins the interview by recalling his initial impressions of John Sherman Cooper. Greider then talks of how other Senators viewed Cooper. Subsequently, Greider explains that Senator Cooper's flexibility on the Red River Gorge and Cumberland River issues typifies his methods as a politician. The interviewee describes Cooper's efforts to use Highway Trust Fund money on mass transit for northern cities. Greider recalls that in interviewing Cooper, he seemed to be rambling in an answer to a pointed question but was really giving a logical and well thought out response. Greider characterizes Cooper as an intellectual. Cooper could be intellectual about the most practical issues, such as Depressed Areas legislation. Greider details Cooper's stance on the Great Society programs of the 1960s. Greider provides an overview of the two primary types of federal social programs in the 1960s, as well as Cooper's preferred approach. Cooper's progressive views on civil rights are shared. Cooper's staff and their respective accomplishments are explored. Greider contrasts Thruston Morton and Marlow Cook as Senators with Cooper. The 1967 Kentucky Republican primary is examined. To conclude the interview, Greider discusses Cooper's position on the Vietnam War and his interview wherein he announced his retirement.

Interview Keyword

John Sherman Cooper Senators Lyndon Johnson Social programs Carl Perkins Thurston Morton Foreign policy Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Marlow Webster Cook

Interview LC Subject

Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991 Greider, William H. Greider, William H.--Interviews Politicians Politicians--United States Politics and government United States--Politics and government Washington (D.C.) Kentucky Kentuckians Red River Gorge (Ky.) Cumberland River, Big South Fork (Tenn. and Ky.) Personality Great society Poverty Rural Appalachian Regional Commission Civil rights Staff Civil rights movement Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Retirement

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.