Cooper continued his independence from his party throughout his term , vocally opposing Republican plans to cut taxes despite record national budget deficits and resisting the party 's efforts to reduce funding for the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe in the aftermath of the war . He worked with fellow Kentuckian Alben Barkley and Oregon Senator Wayne Morse to undermine Jim Crow laws enacted by the states and remove obstacles to suffrage for minorities . He also co-sponsored a bill to create the Medicare system , although it was defeated at the time . Although he had voted with the Republicans just 51 % of the time during his partial term – the lowest average of any member of the party – Cooper headed the Kentucky delegation to the 1948 Republican National Convention . He supported Arthur Vandenberg for president , but Thomas E. Dewey ultimately received the party 's nomination . Cooper himself was mentioned as a possible candidate for vice-president , but ultimately did not receive the nomination and sought re-election to his Senate seat instead . Also in 1948 , Centre College awarded Cooper an honorary Doctor of Laws degree
1948 Republican National Convention
1948 Republican National Convention
John Sherman Cooper