Interview with Hugh Scott, January 27, 1981

Partial Transcript: The following is an unrehearsed interview with Senator Hugh Scott for the John Sherman Cooper Oral History Project.

Segment Synopsis: Scott shares some of his earliest memories of Cooper, including Senator Cooper's work on the Eisenhower campaign in the 1950s.

Keywords: Alben Barkley; Campaigning; Decisions; Dwight Eisenhower; House of Representatives; Independent; Issues; John Sherman Cooper; John Stennis; Judges; Political campaigns; Problems; Republicans; Robert Taft; Senate; Thruston Morton; Votes; Voting records

Subjects: Denver (Colo.); Kentuckians; Kentucky; Leadership; Politicians; Somerset (Ky.); Speeches; Staff

Partial Transcript: In early '59, just as you came to the Senate, uh, Senator Dirksen was elected Minority Leader in the Senate.

Segment Synopsis: Scott talks of Cooper's failed attempt to secure the position of Senate Minority Leader, which he lost to Everett Dirksen.

Keywords: 1960 Presidential Election; Administrators; Assistance; Characteristics; Colleagues; Conservatives; Dominant figures; Everett Dirksen; George Aiken; Help; House of Representatives; Jacob Javits; John Sherman Cooper; Karl Mundt; Kenneth Keating; Minority leader; Minority whips, Senate (U.S.); Nominations; Political candidates; Republicans; Senator Case; Styles Bridges; Support; Thruston Morton; Tom Kuchel; Trouble; Votes

Subjects: Compromise; Moderate; Politicians; War

Partial Transcript: You played, of course, a prominent role in the Republican Party from early on in your career all the way through.

Segment Synopsis: Scott compares his own active role in the Republican Party leadership versus Cooper's more hands-off approach to party leadership.

Keywords: Elder statesman; John Sherman Cooper; Opinions; Politically conscious; Republicans; Thruston Morton

Subjects: Alliances; Leadership; Politicians; Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ); Respect

Partial Transcript: In terms of civil rights, of course your record, uh, is well known on civil rights.

Segment Synopsis: Scott discusses Cooper's position on civil rights legislation. Scott also discusses Cooper's stance on anti-ballistic missiles.

Keywords: Anti-ballistic missiles; Budget; Debates; John Sherman Cooper; Legislation; Missiles; Social programs

Subjects: African Americans--Segregation; African Americans--Social conditions.; Civil rights movements--United States; Leadership; Nuclear weapons; Politicians; Race discrimination.; Vietnam War, 1961-1975; Weapons of mass destruction

Partial Transcript: Of course, Cooper's role in the Vietnam debate became very important with the Cooper-Church amendments.

Segment Synopsis: Scott details Cooper's position on the Vietnam War.

Keywords: Cambodian bombing; Cooper-Church Amendments; Gerald Ford; Regrets; Reports; Responsibilities; Richard Nixon; Senate

Subjects: Bombings; Cambodia; Leadership; Politicians; Vietnam War, 1961-1975

Partial Transcript: As Minority Leader, did you find a Senator like Senator Cooper to be frustrating sometime in trying to, to organize your, your party votes or--

Segment Synopsis: Scott describes Cooper's relations with Republican Party leadership. Scott discusses Cooper's characteristics and personality.

Keywords: Characteristics; Colleagues; Commitments; Democrats; Foreign aid; Foreign relations; House of Representatives; Impact; John Sherman Cooper; Left wing; Mike Mansfield; Moderate; Problems; Qualities; Republicans; Right wing; Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Senator Case; Senator Church; Senator Javits; Senator McGovern; World War II

Subjects: Asia; Compromise; Integrity; Legacy; Liberals; Personality; Politicians; Press; World War, 1939-1945