Interview with A.B. "Happy" Chandler, November 6, 1978

Partial Transcript: The following--(coughs)--is a non-rehearsed November 6th, 1978 conversation between Tom Syvertsen and former Governor Happy Chandler at Mr. Chandler's Versailles home.

Segment Synopsis: Chandler confirms that there was no history of appeals between him and Clements dissuading him from aligning with the Dixiecratic elements of the party, stating that he was Baseball Commissioner at the time and not involved with politics.

Keywords: "Dixiecrats"; 1945; Appeals; Baseball commissioners; Correspondence; Democratic factions; Earle Clements; Happy Chandler

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Clements, Earle C. (Earle Chester), 1896-1985

Partial Transcript: Uh, what do you know about the repeated rumors and moves in the 1950s, uh, to name Clements, uh, the Democratic Party National Chairman?

Segment Synopsis: After briefly discussing Clements' proposed candidacy for Chairman of the National Democratic Party, Chandler talks about his involvement in Clements' 1947 primary campaign for governor, recalling their early years together.

Keywords: Baseball; Childhood; Democrats; Friendships; Governors; Kentucky; Primaries; Senate

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Clements, Earle C. (Earle Chester), 1896-1985; Political campaigns

Partial Transcript: In, in 19, uh, 46, uh, I imagine you had to make a difficult choice, uh, Harry Lee Waterfield or Earle Clements.

Segment Synopsis: Chandler says he had no trouble supporting Clements over Waterfield in the 1947 gubernatorial primaries. He also describes running for re-election to Senate in 1940, and again in 1942, and who offered opposition and support.

Keywords: Baseball commissioners; Happy Chandler; Harry Lee Waterfield; Keen Johnson; Opposition; Senators; Support

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Clements, Earle C. (Earle Chester), 1896-1985; Political campaigns

Partial Transcript: Uh, were you involved much in, in, in 1946 in the Ardery/Brown contest? And, uh, did you have any, uh, dealings with, with Clements--

Segment Synopsis: Chandler recalls the Ardery/Brown primary for Senate, but denies that it caused any conflict between him and Clements despite their divided support for the candidates. However, he does explain that Clements' support of Combs in 1955 did cause some hostility between them, and speculates on his reasons for doing so. He goes on to discuss some of the other names involved in that campaign year, the state of the Democratic Party factions at that time, and his interest in the open Senate seat in 1951.

Keywords: Bert Combs; Democratic factions; Happy Chandler; Lawrence Wetherby; Opposition; Rivalries; Senators; Support

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Clements, Earle C. (Earle Chester), 1896-1985; Political campaigns

Partial Transcript: Did you see Clements' hand in the redistricting act, uh, under Governor Wetherby, earlier--

Segment Synopsis: Chandler describes the redistricting efforts under Wetherby and himself, as well as the 1956 primaries and their strategic implications against Clements.

Keywords: Committees; Elections; Gerrymandering; John Watts; Lawrence Wetherby; Political tactics; Politics; Primaries; Redistricting; Senators; Support; Woodford County (Ky.)

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Clements, Earle C. (Earle Chester), 1896-1985; Political campaigns

Partial Transcript: Uh, in 1956, of course, Wetherby ran with Clements.

Segment Synopsis: Chandler continues on the topic of political support among his colleagues, stating that he never had the support of Wetherby, but that he did support Clements in his 1956 campaign. He again highlights his opposition to Bert Combs.

Keywords: Bert Combs; Harry Lee Waterfield; Joe Leary; Lawrence Wetherby; Lyndon Johnson; Opposition; Re-election; Senators; Support

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Clements, Earle C. (Earle Chester), 1896-1985; Combs, Bert T., 1911-1991; Political campaigns