Interview with Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler, September 13, 1977

Partial Transcript: This is Professor Charles P. Roland from the University of Kentucky History Department.

Segment Synopsis: Professor Charles P. Roland introduces his interview subject, former Kentucky governor Albert B. "Happy" Chandler. The interview is being conducted in order to obtain information about Chandler's life for a biography.

Partial Transcript: Governor Chandler, I’d like to pick up, uh, a theme--(clears throat)--that, uh, we have, uh, discussed before and continue it for a while this morning.

Segment Synopsis: Chandler talks about his role in the Democratic Party at the national level during his political career. Roland and Chandler discusses the “Dixiecrat” break in the Democratic Party during the 1940s. He talks about his allegiance to Sen. Harry Byrd of Virginia during this break. They discuss the 1952 presidential campaign between Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower and Democrat Adlai Stevenson. Chandler talks about how he did not support or participate in Stevenson’s campaign. He discusses his support of Eisenhower during this presidential election, as he was, at that time, a private citizen and not involved in politics.

Keywords: 1952 Presidential campaign; Dixiecrat break; Dixiecrats; National politics; Personal politics; Political support; Southern Democrats

Subjects: Byrd, Harry F. (Harry Flood), 1887-1966; Politics and government; Politics, Practical; Presidential campaigns; Stevenson, Adlai E. (Adlai Ewing), 1900-1965.

Partial Transcript: Then, of course, in '56--

Segment Synopsis: Chandler discusses his second gubernatorial race in Kentucky, in which he used most of his staff and supporters from his first gubernatorial administration. Chandler talks about his fellow governors, including Earle C. Clements, and strong opposition to his administration during his campaign. He also talks about his strong political influence over Clements and the reputations of Kentucky governors and politics in the United States. He tells some other anecdotes about his second administration and campaign, including how he became the leader of the Democratic National Committee in Kentucky.

Keywords: Anecdotes; Campaigns for governor; Gubernatorial campaigns; Political influences; Political opposition

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.--Interviews; Clements, Earle C. (Earle Chester), 1896-1985; Democratic Party (Ky.); Democratic Party (Ky.). State Central Committee; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Elections; Politicians--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Now, what was your, uh--did you, uh--what was your attitude and role once he was nominated?

Segment Synopsis: Chandler talks about supporting two Democratic U.S. Senators, both of who were defeated in their races in Kentucky. Chandler talks about how he felt not included in Democratic Party events and operations during the latter part of his career. He discusses with Roland the various Democratic candidates he supported in various elections in Kentucky. They talk about Chandler’s participation in the Democratic Party during the 1960 presidential election, in which Chandler supported John F. Kennedy, while the rest of the Kentucky delegation voted for Lyndon B. Johnson.

Keywords: 1960 presidential election; Democratic committees--Kentucky; Democratic senators; Kentucky Democratic committees; Political influence; Political support; Presidential elections

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.--Interviews; Democratic National Convention.; Democratic Party (Ky.); Governors--Kentucky; Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973.; Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963.; Politicians--Kentucky; Presidents--Election

Partial Transcript: What was, what was Kennedy's attraction to you, uh, Governor?

Segment Synopsis: Chandler talks about his relationship with the Kennedy family, particularly the parents of John F. Kennedy. He discusses how he met the Kennedys and his particularly close relationship with Rose Kennedy, the mother of John F., Bobby, and Ted Kennedy. Chandler speaks on various opinions about the Kennedys and their actions, including his opinion of Ted Kennedy and John F. Kennedy’s affairs with multiple women.

Keywords: Kennedy family; Personal opinions; Personal politics; Political families; Political opinions; Political support

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.--Interviews; Governors--Kentucky; Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963.; Kennedy, Rose; Politicians; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics and government

Partial Transcript: So in '60, you supported [unintelligible] Kennedy.

Segment Synopsis: Chandler discusses his role in supporting Kennedy during the 1960 election, talking about the various places he gave speeches in support of Kennedy. Chandler and Roland discuss who the Louisville Courier-Journal supported during the 1960 election and who the newspaper supported in state politics. Chandler talks about how, if Kennedy had not been assassinated, he would have supported Kennedy’s reelection in 1964. After the assassination, Chandler talks about how he supported Lyndon B. Johnson over Barry Goldwater.

Keywords: John F. Kennedy assassination; Kennedy family; Louisville Courier-Journal; Personal opinions; Political opposition; Political support; Presidential elections; Speeches of support

Subjects: Campaign speeches; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.--Interviews; Goldwater, Barry, 1938-; Governors--Kentucky; Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973.; Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963.; Kennedy, Rose; Politicians--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Well let me, uh--(clears throat)--let me get you back now, to, to the '68 campaign.

Segment Synopsis: Chandler discusses who he supported and opposed during the 1968 presidential election. He talks about how he did not take an active part in the campaign, as he did not have any strong feelings about either candidate, Richard Nixon or Hubert Humphrey. Chandler talks about how he believes the American people are fair and just and how this relates to politics.

Keywords: American people; American politics; Political opposition; Political support; Presidential candidates; Presidential elections; Vice presidents

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991--Interviews; Governors--Kentucky; Governors--Kentucky--Interviews; Humphrey, Hubert H. (Hubert Horatio), 1911-1978.; Nixon, Richard, 1913-1994; Presidents--Election.; Vice-Presidents.