Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History

Interview with J. Strom Thurmond, June 25, 1984

Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries
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00:00:04 - Meeting John Sherman Cooper

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Partial Transcript: The following is an unrehearsed interview with J. Strom Thurmond, United States Senator from South Carolina.

Segment Synopsis: Thurmond recalls when he first met Cooper during World War II.

Keywords: Civil affairs; European theater; John Sherman Cooper; Senate; Senators; World War II

Subjects: Character; Europe; Honesty; Integrity; Patriotism; Politicians; United States; Washington (D.C.); World War, 1939-1945

00:02:04 - Cooper's voting patterns / Franklin D. Roosevelt

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Partial Transcript: --(Clears throat)--In, uh--very quickly in the Senate, in, in--he served a couple of short terms in the forties and very quickly acquired a reputation of being a very independent voter.

Segment Synopsis: Thurmond briefly considers Cooper's tendency to vote against the Republican Party. Thurmond also provides his opinion of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Keywords: Adolf Hitler; Delegates; Democrats; Franklin D. Roosevelt; John Sherman Cooper; Joseph Stalin; Political nominations; Political parties; Presidents; Republicans; Senate; Senators; Supporters

Subjects: Articles; Czechoslovakia; Dictators; Ideology; Independence; Liberal; New Deal, 1933-1939; Philosophy; Poland; Politicians; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945; Soviet Union; Soviets; Voting; Washington (D.C.)

00:04:24 - Cooper's influence in the Senate / Cooper's popularity

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Partial Transcript: Would--Thurmond clears throat)--would you characterize Cooper as an effective Senator, influential?

Segment Synopsis: Thurmond discusses Cooper's influence in the Senate. Thurmond also evaluates how Cooper was able to become so popular with Kentuckians.

Keywords: Consistency; Constituents; Democrats; Issues; John Sherman Cooper; Liberal; Marlow Webster Cook; Patriotism; Republicans; Senate; Senators; Votes

Subjects: Character; Friends; Integrity; Kentuckians; Politicians; Respect; South Carolina; Trust; Voting; Washington (D.C.)

00:07:49 - Stories of Cooper

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Partial Transcript: Do you have a, uh, a--a--a favorite story or anecdote, uh, about Cooper in the Senate...

Segment Synopsis: Thurmond shares some stories of Cooper in the Senate, including a time that he tried to stop Thurmond from filibustering (at the request of Thurmond's wife).

Keywords: Filibusters; First wife; Jean Crouch; John Sherman Cooper; Senate; Senators; Voting Rights bill; Wife

Subjects: Civil rights; Civil rights movement; Health; Loyalty; Politicians; Washington (D.C.)