Interviews of Dr. William O. Baker

NOTE: The following are transcripts of interview of Dr. Baker. The material is drawn from interviews conducted of Dr. Baker by Prof. A. Michael Noll during 2003. Prof. Noll’s questions in the interviews have been omitted so that Dr. Baker’s responses could be edited into a cohesive commentary. All words, other than those in square brackets, are direct quotations of Dr. Baker, transcribed by Prof. Noll from the tape recordings of the interviews. The topics were chosen because of their potential broad interest.

DATE TOPIC SUMMARY
October 2, 2003 President Nixon. An afternoon with President Richard M. Nixon and Clark Clifford. Assessment of Nixon and role of his senior staff.
October 5, 2003 Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy. Personal assessment of Dr. Baker's relationships with Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy.
October 15, 2003 President Johnson. Comments about President Johnson's decision not to seek reelection.
October 19, 2003

Cuban missile crisis.

 Dr. Baker carried the message to President Kennedy that the Soviet ships had turned around on October 24, 1962.
October 19, 2003 Assassination of President Kennedy. Dr. Baker was at the White House on November 22, 1963 when he heard that President Kennedy had been assassinated.
November 4, 2003 Defense Communication Agency. Explanation of Dr. Baker's role in the formation of Defense Communication Agency
November 9, 2003 Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Explanation of Dr. Baker's role in the formation of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the resolution of the Mellon Institute.
November 23, 2003 Literacy. Role of government in education reform.