Interview with Robert Bell

Partial Transcript: Mr. Bell, when did you first come to know Judge Combs?

Segment Synopsis: Bell discusses the 1955 campaign and the democratic factionalism that occurred.

Keywords: Democratic factionalism

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

Partial Transcript: Did you have a feeling that Wyatt probably couldn't win without more than Louisville?

Segment Synopsis: Bell discusses the 1959 campaign and the politics behind the merger between Combs and Wyatt.

Keywords: Chandler, Happy; Clements, Earle; Combs, Bert; Courier Journal

Subjects: Democratic party (Ky.) Political campaigns Wyatt, Wilson W. (Wilson Watkins), 1905-1996

Partial Transcript: I guess officially I started work the day they were inaugurated.

Segment Synopsis: Bell discusses the Combs administration, specifically his work in the highway department.

Keywords: Combs, Bert; Highway Department; Ward, Henry; Wyatt, Wilson

Subjects: Governors--Kentucky Roads--Construction Sales tax Toll roads

Partial Transcript: He probably would have been the logical choice.

Segment Synopsis: Bell discusses the 1963 governor race and why Combs chose to support Breathitt.

Keywords: Combs, Bert; Ward, Henry; Wyatt, Wilson

Subjects: Breathitt, Edward T., 1924-2003 Governors--Kentucky Political campaigns

Partial Transcript: Okay, now, you also were in the Breathitt administration.

Segment Synopsis: Bell discusses working as Commissioner of Parks for Breathitt. He says that Breathitt delegated more than Combs.

Keywords: Breathitt, Edward; Combs, Bert

Subjects: State parks

Partial Transcript: In regard to 1967, when Henry Ward became the nominee of the party, in your recollection was there ever any circumstance that suggested former Governor Combs might run again in '67.

Segment Synopsis: Bell talks about the campaigns of 1967 and 1971 and why Combs should not have run.

Keywords: Combs, Bert; Ward, Henry

Subjects: Governors--Kentucky Political campaigns