Interview with William R. Haley, February 1, 1980

Interview Summary

William Haley, a former attorney on John Sherman Cooper's staff, begins the interview by discussing Cooper's position on civil rights in the 1960s. Haley describes Cooper's relationship with Kentucky politicians Thruston Morton and Marlow Webster Cook. Haley recalls Senator Cooper's opposition to Judge Haynsworth's nomination to the Supreme Court. Cooper's views on the nominations of G. Harrold Carswell and Abe Fortas to the Supreme Court and Chief Justice, respectively, are shared. Haley's role in Cooper's 1966 re-election campaign is examined. Cooper's retirement came after a long and successful career in politics. Haley provides reasons as to why Cooper decided to retire from politics in 1972. The Kentucky Republicans believed strongly in Cooper's chances to become governor. Haley recalls that Senator Cooper never criticized other Kentucky Republicans. Despite the fact that they often had more conservative views than he did, Cooper supported them.

Interview Keyword

Barry Goldwater G.Harrold Carswell Lyndon Johnson John Sherman Cooper Clement Haynsworth Nelson Rockefeller 1964 Republican National Convention Robert Griffin Thruston Morton Marlow Webster Cook Supreme Court Abe Fortas Re-election Kentucky Republicans

Interview LC Subject

Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991 Haley, William R. Haley, William R.--Interviews Politicians Politicians--United States Politics and government United States--Politics and government Washington (D.C.) Tobacco Kentucky Retirement Kentuckians

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.