Interview with Steve Swain, April 25, 1980

Project: John Sherman Cooper Oral History Project

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Interview Summary

Steve Swain, a former staff member of John Sherman Cooper's Washington D.C. office, begins the interview by recalling how he first met Cooper. Swain then discusses his role in Cooper's office. When Senator Cooper moved from the Agriculture Committee to the Foreign Relations Committee, there was a possibility that his constituency would get the impression that he had lost touch with Kentucky issues. Therefore, Cooper tried to give extra attention to the needs of Kentuckians and to answering mail. Swain evaluates the impact of Cooper's early retirement announcement from the Senate upon the D.C. office. Cooper's work on foreign relations is recalled. Swain also details his work on press coverage for Cooper. Cooper's role in office management is described. The interview outlines Cooper's typical daily routine in the Senate. Cooper was very busy at certain times of his career in the Senate, especially during the Vietnam War. Despite this, his office staff never had trouble getting access to him. Cooper's greatest contributions to public works in Kentucky are also mentioned. Swain recalls that Senator Cooper got along well with most other politicians from Kentucky. The efficiency of the staff is praised. The interviewee explains how he got to know Cooper better through driving him frequently. To conclude the interview, Swain assesses Cooper's opinion of Louie Nunn.

Interview Accession

1980oh062_coop018

Interviewee Name

Steve Swain

Interviewer Name

Terry L. Birdwhistell

Interview Date

1980-04-25

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.

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Swain, Steve Interview by Terry L. Birdwhistell. 25 Apr. 1980. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.

Swain, S. (1980, April 25). Interview by T. L. Birdwhistell. John Sherman Cooper Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.

Swain, Steve, interview by Terry L. Birdwhistell. April 25, 1980, John Sherman Cooper Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.





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Persistent Link for this Record: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7ncj87m029