MacDonald, Clyde, Jr. oral history interview

Authors

Andrea L'Hommedieu

Document Type

Oral History

Publication Date

5-12-1999

Interview Number

MOH 090

Abstract

Clyde MacDonald Jr. was born in 1929 in Old Orchard Beach to Nellie MacDonald and Clyde MacDonald Sr., who were both of Canadian descent. The oldest of four children, MacDonald enlisted in the Army and served during the Korean War in Germany. After he left the military, he became interested in politics at the local level. He attended Portland Junior College for two years and then Bates for two years. He later earned a doctorate at the University of Maine while teaching undergraduate classes there. Meanwhile, he was becoming active in local Democratic politics. As he became more involved with politics, MacDonald found himself in more regular contact with Senator Muskie. Despite occasional policy disagreements, notably about the Vietnam War, which MacDonald opposed, MacDonald eventually went to work with Muskie, becoming an aide and close personal adviser.

Scope and Content Note

Interview includes discussions of: family history and social and political views; early political awareness and activism; other political influences; education; ethnic composition of Old Orchard Beach; first jobs; marriage; early involvement with Senator Muskie; McCulsky Commission; involvement with George Mitchell’s gubernatorial campaign; first job interview with Muskie; issues in Aroostook County; Muskie and Mitchell; Dickey Lincoln power project; Maine-Canada labor issues; Aroostook politics; Floyd Harding; Muskie’s ‘76 campaign; Muskie ice fishing; Bangor Daily News; Republican competition in ‘76; Republicans who supported Muskie; Muskie and Cohen upstaging each other; Muskie’s following in Northern Maine; and changes in news formats.

Use Restrictions

Copyright Bates College. This transcript is provided for individual Research Purposes Only; for all other uses, including publication, reproduction and quotation beyond fair use, permission must be obtained in writing from: The Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, Bates College, 70 Campus Avenue, Lewiston, Maine 04240-6018.

Recommended Citation

L'Hommedieu, Andrea, "MacDonald, Clyde, Jr. oral history interview" (1999). Edmund S. Muskie Oral History Collection. 227.
https://scarab.bates.edu/muskie_oh/227