Interview with George David Aiken, May 24, 1976

Interview Summary

Republican Senator Aiken from Vermont discusses Alben Barkley as Senate Majority Leader and in opposition to Franklin D. Roosevelt's veto of a tax bill in 1944. Aiken was a close friend of Senator John Sherman Cooper. Aiken recalls how he met Cooper, as well as his reputation in the Senate. They served together on the Agriculture and Foreign Relations Committees. Cooper's political philosophy is considered. The interviewee reflects upon Cooper's bid to become the Senate Minority Leader in the late 1950s. Additionally, the two occasionally stood alone when voting on issues as liberal Republicans. Cooper's tardiness was a charming quality. Cooper is depicted as the most tolerant Senator and diplomat. Aiken remembers co-sponsoring a bill with Cooper in 1956 to extend library services to rural areas. To conclude the interview, Aiken details the end of Cooper's political career.

Interview Keyword

Alben Barkley Robert Taft Charlie McNarry Ernest Gibson Jr. J. Lister Hill John Putney Everett Dirksen Mike Mansfield Ernest Gibson Lorraine Cooper U.S. Senate Foreign policy East Germany

Interview LC Subject

Aiken, George D. (George David), 1892-1984 Aiken, George D. (George David), 1892-1984--Interviews Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991 Politicians Politicians--United States Politics and government United States--Politics and government Vermont Washington (D.C.) Diplomats India

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.