Interview with Bailey Guard, January 31, 1980

Interview Summary

Guard begins the interview with a discussion about John Sherman Cooper's press releases and campaigning in 1960. During the 1960 campaign, Cooper refused the Republican tactic of appealing to the anti-Catholic and the anti-Kennedy vote. Cooper and John F. Kennedy were very close, especially at crucial times, such as during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The impact of Kennedy's assassination on both Guard and Cooper is considered. Cooper took his duties on the Warren Commission very seriously and devoted much of his time to its work. Guard discusses Senator Cooper's work on civil rights, and how he handled angry constituents. The interviewee also details staff diversity in the Washington D.C. office in the 1960s. Cooper's support of the Public Accommodations bill is also mentioned. How Cooper got along with Southern senators during the 1960s is explored. Additionally, Cooper's 1966 Senatorial campaign is described. Guard also talks of Cooper's stance on tobacco and the environment. The dynamics between Cooper and Earle Clements are examined. Guard illustrates Cooper's management of his staff throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Cooper's stance on Clement Haynsworth's nomination to the Supreme Court in 1969 is evaluated. Guard articulates the interactions between Cooper and Marlow Webster Cook. The pressure upon Cooper from Kentucky Republicans to run for governor in the early 1970s is briefly mentioned. To conclude the interview, Guard talks of Cooper's public image.

Interview Keyword

Frank Church John Sherman Cooper Sam Rayburn 1960 Senatorial campaign William Miller Jackie Kennedy Lorraine Cooper Cuban Missile Crisis Assassination Warren Commission Senate Senators Image Public image Gerald Ford Constituents John F. Kennedy Earle Clements Public Accomodations bill The South Marlow Webster Cook Clement Haynsworth Howard Baker Jacob Javits Taft-Hartley Act Governor Tobacco Institute Republicans William Henry Harrison William Jennings Bryan

Interview LC Subject

Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991 Guard, Bailey Guard, Bailey--Interviews Politicians Politicians--United States Politics and government United States--Politics and government Publicity Washington (D.C.) Kentucky Kentuckians Anti-Catholicism Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962 Cold War Civil rights movement Civil rights African Americans Billboards Advertising Tobacco Tobacco farmers Staff Management Pressure

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.