Interview with Harry Miller

Partial Transcript: Tell me a little bit about your background.

Segment Synopsis: Miller discusses his family, education, and career.

Keywords: Fayette County; Miller, Griffith, and Marks, PSC; University of Kentucky

Subjects: Lawyers

Partial Transcript: Let's go back to the 1955 campaign.

Segment Synopsis: Miller discusses the politics behind the 1955 primary and why he thought Combs lost. He says that the campaign was over as soon as Combs started talking about a sales tax.

Keywords: Brown, John

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

Partial Transcript: How important is regionalism in Kentucky politics?

Segment Synopsis: Miller discusses how different regions tend to vote for a certain party and why. He points out that parts of Eastern Kentucky have always voted Democrat whereas Louisville offers a mix of politics.

Keywords: Combs, Bert; Eastern Kentucky; Fayette County; Sloan, Harvey; Wetherby, Lawrence

Subjects: Democratic party (Ky.) Elections Kentucky--Politics and government

Partial Transcript: Let's go on to the '59.

Segment Synopsis: Miller says that Combs was better at giving speeches in 1959. He wore white all the time with a hat which was associated with being good.

Keywords: Broadbent; Clements, Earle; Combs, Bert; Martin, Bob; Watts, John

Subjects: Campaign management Democratic party (Ky.) Elections Politcial campaigns Wyatt, Wilson W. (Wilson Wakins), 1905-1996

Partial Transcript: What was your connection with the Combs administration?

Segment Synopsis: Miller says that he had no official role in the Combs administration but would give Combs his opinion. He then discusses the accomplishments and scandals of the Combs administration.

Keywords: Clements, Earle; Combs, Bert; Truck Deal

Subjects: Education--Kentucky--Finance Governors--Kentucky Sales tax State parks

Partial Transcript: In the '71 primary, why was Combs defeated?

Segment Synopsis: Miller attributes Combs' loss in the primary to Ford being more personable and having a better campaign manager. He also says that people could not understand why Combs left his lifetime position of being a Federal Judge.

Keywords: Combs, Bert; Miller, J.R.

Subjects: Campaign management Elections Ford, Wendell H., 1924-2015 Political campaigns United States. Court of Appeals (Federal Circuit)

Partial Transcript: What do you think have been Combs' greatest contributions to Kentucky?

Segment Synopsis: Miller lists the accomplishments of Combs and says he thinks he was one of the best governors that Kentucky has had.

Keywords: Combs, Bert; Merit system

Subjects: Education--Kentucky--Finance Governors--Kentucky Roads--Construction Sales tax State parks