Interview with John Sherman Cooper, May 31, 1986

Interview Summary

Cooper begins the interview by giving an overview of the history of the anti-ballistic missile system and the justification for its use in U.S. defense policy. Cooper considers what got him interested in the anti-ballistic missile system issue. Cooper's position on the Sentinel nuclear system is detailed. Cooper discusses the debates in the Senate over the anti-ballistic missile system during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The re-emergence of the anti-ballistic missile system as an issue of concern during the 1984 presidential race between Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale is also mentioned. Cooper's work with Philip Hart on the anti-ballistic system issue, including the Cooper-Hart amendment is explored. Cooper analyses the differences between Nixon and Johnson on the anti-ballistic missile system debates. Additionally, Cooper recalls critics who questioned his motives on his preference of U.S. withdrawal from the Vietnam War. Cooper reflects upon going to the Kentucky Derby with President Nixon in 1969. The nuclear defense systems of the Soviet Union and the U.S. during the Cold War are considered. To conclude the interview, Cooper focuses on the status of the anti-ballistic missile debates during the Nixon administration.

Interview Keyword

Edward Teller Gerald Smith Anti-ballistic missile system Melvin Laird Ted Kennedy John C. Stennis Philip Hart Sentinel system Senate Lyndon Johnson Richard Nixon Senators Robert McNamara Margaret Chase Smith Cooper-Hart Amendment Military procurement bill

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 China Washington (D.C.) Cold War Soviet Union International affairs National security Nuclear weapons Missiles Weapons of mass destruction Communism Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Kentucky Derby

Interview Rights

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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.