Interview with Carl T. Curtis, January 26, 1981

Interview Summary

Carl T. Curtis served in the House of Representatives and was elected to the Senate in 1954. Curtis recounts experiences from this time wherein he got to know Senator John Sherman Cooper. Curtis details his role in the 1963 Bobby Baker investigation. Cooper's ability to get Senators to vote for his positions is examined. Additionally, Cooper's habit of voting against the Republican position is discussed. Curtis compares and contrasts Cooper and Thruston Morton. The interviewee also compares himself to Cooper, mainly on domestic issues, including agriculture and social programs. Curtis reflects upon the race between Everett Dirksen and Cooper in 1959 for Senate Minority Leader. Curtis mentions his and Cooper's views on civil rights, the Warren Commission and anti-ballistic missiles. Curtis was always impressed by Cooper's rather judicial and fair-minded approach to politics. Cooper's hearing difficulties in connection to his work in the Senate are considered. The interviewee details the Republican position on Cooper's independent voting beliefs. To conclude the interview, Curtis lists some of the considerations presidential nominees take into account when selecting a running mate (a vice president) for the campaign.

Interview Keyword

U.S. Congress John Sherman Cooper U.S. Senate Republicans Bobby Baker Thruston Morton Social programs Social issues Civil rights legislation Warren Commission Anti-ballistic missile system Foreign policy Vice presidents Richard Nixon Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.

Interview LC Subject

Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991 Curtis, Carl T. (Carl Thomas), 1905-2000 Curtis, Carl T. (Carl Thomas), 1905-2000--Interviews Politicians Politicians--United States Politics and government United States--Politics and government Kentucky Kentuckians Washington (D.C.) Agriculture Federal government Civil rights Civil rights movement Cold War Missiles Nuclear weapons Weapons of mass destruction Character Hearing Hearing disorders

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.