Interview with Ward Sinclair, January 27, 1981

Interview Summary

Sinclair, a journalist for the Louisville Times, begins the interview by describing his background and career. Sinclair explains how he got into contact with John Sherman Cooper through letter writing as a concerned citizen during the Vietnam War. Sinclair recalls Cooper's 1966 Senatorial campaign. Despite the fact that Cooper did not have a press aide, Sinclair claims that his office staff was always very accommodating and that reporters had easy access to the Senator. The interviewee comments on Cooper's staff and their accomplishments. Sinclair also talks of Cooper's work ethic. Cooper's influence in Senate, including during the anti-ballistic missile debate is explored. Sinclair reflects upon Cooper's support of civil rights legislation. Cooper's public image in comparison to his privileged background is evaluated. Sinclair criticizes Senator Cooper for retaining exemptions for small coal mines from federal safety regulations. Cooper's interactions with Kentucky politicians are considered. Cooper did much to abate Sinclair's cynicism about politicians and several examples are given. Sinclair discusses Cooper's campaigning abilities, his personality and integrity. The interview concludes with Sinclair explaining that tobacco is a difficult issue for Kentucky and the U.S. as a whole, in terms of the conflict between health and the future of tobacco farmers.

Interview Keyword

John Sherman Cooper U.S. Senate Senators William Miller Anti-ballistic missile system Influence Image Lorraine Cooper John F. Kennedy Republicans Constituents Marlow Webster Cook

Interview LC Subject

Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991 Politicians Politicians--United States Politics and government Sinclair, Ward Sinclair, Ward--Interviews United States--Politics and government Journalists Washington (D.C.) Press Staff Work ethic Nuclear weapons Missiles Weapons of mass destruction Civil rights movement Civil rights Wealth Voting Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Conservative Coal mines and mining Coal miners Kentucky Kentuckians Personality Character Tobacco Tobacco farmers Mine safety

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.