Interview with George Joplin, III, September 24, 1980

Interview Summary

George Joplin, a journalist and newspaper owner in Somerset, Kentucky, begins the interview by discussing his background. Joplin recalls working for John Sherman Cooper in the Senate in the late 1940s. Joplin talks of his father working on Cooper's campaign for circuit judge while the candidate was serving in the Army during WWII. As a county judge during the Great Depression, Cooper was very generous with people in need. Additionally, Joplin describes some of Cooper's more memorable campaigns. Cooper's reputation in Somerset is also mentioned. Despite not being a great speaker, Joplin claims that Cooper was so well-respected in the Senate that all of the Senators listened intently whenever he spoke. Cooper's campaign style is examined. The Joplin family's friendship with Tom Underwood and his family is detailed. Joplin discusses Cooper's campaigns of 1948, 1952, 1954, and 1956. The interviewee characterizes how the dynamics between Kentucky journalists and politicians has changed throughout the years. Additionally, Joplin compares Cooper to Alben Barkley. How people in Somerset reacted to Cooper becoming the U.S. Ambassador to India in 1955 is explored. Reasons for Cooper's popularity in Kentucky are given. Joplin illustrates Cooper's role in the civil rights movement. Joplin also recalls how most people in Somerset felt about Cooper's political views in the Senate. Joplin also highlights Cooper's relationship with the state and national Republican parties. How Cooper contributed to his hometown as a Senator is also considered. Joplin talks of Cooper's brothers and their role in local politics in Somerset. Joplin then gives his opinion on Cooper running for governor. Joplin articulates his experiences at the 1948 Republican National Convention, which he attended with Cooper. Cooper's character is assessed. Cooper's close ties with Democrats are described. To conclude the interview, Joplin lists some possible interviewees for the project and discusses Cooper's uncle, who was a circuit judge in Pulaski County, Kentucky.

Interview Keyword

John Sherman Cooper U.S. Senate Senators County judges Campaigning Tom Underwood Alben Barkley U.S. Ambassador to India Integration Republicans Kentucky Republican Party Governors 1948 Republican National Convention Democrats Uncles Great Depression

Interview LC Subject

Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991 Joplin, George, III Joplin, George, III--Interviews Politicians Politicians--United States Politics and government United States--Politics and government Centre College (Danville, Ky. : 1918- ) Washington (D.C.) Kentucky Kentuckians Somerset (Ky.) Pulaski County (Ky.) Families Fathers Friendship Journalists Newspapers Popularity Civil rights movement Civil rights Segregation Reputation Brothers Philadelphia (Pa.) Character Judges Depressions--1929--United States

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.