Interview with John Sherman Cooper, April 26, 1980

Interview Summary

Cooper begins the interview by discussing his campaign efforts for Charles I. Dawson, who was running for the Senate in Kentucky in 1950. Cooper denies rumors of his consideration of running for Governor of Kentucky in 1951. Additionally, Cooper discusses rumors of his potential appointment to the Supreme Court by Presidents Truman and Johnson. Cooper weighs in on important issues of the early 1950s, including sending troops to Europe, and the firing of General MacArthur by President Truman, both in 1951. Cooper's work with the Truman administration gave him some difficulty in dealing with the Republican Party during his 1952 Senatorial campaign. Partisan politics were always an issue for Cooper despite his independence from party affiliation when making decisions and voting on issues. Cooper's support of Dwight Eisenhower during the 1952 Republican National Convention is emphasized. Cooper describes some of the more salient issues during the 1952 Senate race, including price supports for tobacco. Cooper discusses his opponent in his 1952 Senatorial campaign, Tom Underwood. Joint campaigning efforts between Cooper and Eisenhower in Kentucky during the 1952 elections are explored. Cooper's work on the Senate Armed Services Committee in the early 1950s is examined. Cooper illustrates his stance on the Tidelands Oil bill, the appointment of Charles Bohlen as U.S. ambassador to Russia, and finally the Bricker amendment, all in 1953.

Interview Keyword

Charles I. Dawson Governors Supreme Court Troops Douglas MacArthur Harry Truman Senate Senators 1952 Senatorial campaign 1952 Republican National Convention Dwight Eisenhower Law firms Tom Underwood Alben Barkley Price supports Senate Armed Services Committee Tidelands Oil bill John F. Kennedy Lyndon Johnson Charles Bohlen Robert Taft John Bricker Bricker Amendment

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 Washington (D.C.) Kentucky Korean War, 1950-1953 Kentuckians Rumors United States Military Europe Soviet Union North Korea South Korea Vietnam Cold War United Nations International affairs Tobacco Tobacco farmers

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.