Interview with Louie B. Nunn, March 31, 1994

Interview Summary

Nunn begins the interview by discussing his early involvement in politics with his father. Nunn recalls his first memories of Cooper and Charles I. Dawson in Kentucky politics. Nunn also shares some anecdotes of Cooper on the campaign trail. Nunn illustrates Cooper's personality, including his habit of being reluctant to run for office. Additionally, Nunn discusses Cooper's 1952 Senatorial campaign. Nunn discusses changes in standards of acceptability in politics over the years. Cooper's habits and family involvement in politics are examined. Nunn describes Cooper's campaign style. Nunn details Cooper's lack of organizational skills and some of his most important characteristics. Nunn provides his opinion on if Cooper wanted to be the Governor of Kentucky. Nunn remembers his earlier bids for governor in the late 1950s. Subsequently, Nunn reflects upon Cooper's 1956 Senatorial campaign, in which Nunn was the campaign manager. Elements of the campaign such as campaign finance, staff, Thruston Morton, and the impacts of the race are detailed. James Graham Brown, the owner of the Brown Hotel in Louisville and his involvement in Kentucky Republican politics is briefly mentioned. Nunn talks of the results of the 1956 Senate race between Thruston Morton and Earle Clements. Methods of advertising in Cooper's 1956 Senatorial campaign are listed. Cooper's frequent habit of being absent minded is considered. Nunn discusses his 1959 gubernatorial campaign. Nunn details his interactions with John M. Robsion Jr. Nunn recalls when he was interested in a federal judgeship in the 1960s. Cooper's views on the 1960 presidential election are evaluated. Nunn remembers when he detected a change in the nature of Cooper's political campaigns. Nunn assesses the role of Lorraine Cooper in her husband's political campaigns. Nunn provides his opinion of where Cooper falls on the political spectrum. Nunn's 1963 gubernatorial campaign and Cooper's 1966 Senatorial campaign are discussed. Nunn recalls how common anti-Semitism and anti-Catholicism were in 1960s Kentucky. Nunn details his and Cooper's impressions of Marlow Webster Cook. Nunn evaluates how authentic Cooper's public image was in relation to his personality in private. Cooper and Thurston Morton are compared. Nunn comments upon Cooper's polite nature. Nunn considers how his interactions with Cooper changed after Cooper supported Marlow Webster Cook over Nunn in the 1967 Kentucky Republican gubernatorial primary. Nunn gives his opinion of Cooper's political calculus. Nunn articulates Cooper's political legacy and overall place in the Kentucky Republican Party. Nunn recalls attending Cooper's funeral at Arlington National Cemetery in 1991. To conclude the interview, Nunn talks of the impact of Cooper's tense 1956 Senatorial campaign on his professional relationship with Cooper.

Interview Keyword

1952 Senatorial campaign Charles I. Dawson Family Thruston Morton Kentucky Republican Party Republicans Governors 1956 Senatorial campaign Charles Taft Campaign finance Earle Clements James Graham Brown John M. Robsion Jr. Judges John F. Kennedy 1960 presidential election Richard Nixon Lorraine Cooper 1966 Senatorial campaign Marlow Webster Cook Public image Funerals John Sherman Cooper

Interview LC Subject

Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991 Nunn, Louie B., 1924-2004 Nunn, Louie B., 1924-2004--Interviews Politicians Politicians--United States Politics and government United States--Politics and government Kentucky Kentuckians Personality Barren County (Ky.) Staff Character Prejudice Anti-Catholicism Anti-Semitism Legacy Brothers

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.