Lyndon Baines Johnson: The Master of Political Haggling

Lyndon Baines Johnson, also known as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States. He was a complex and paradoxical figure, a brilliant politician who could charm, bully, and bamboozle his way to get what he wanted.

Early Life

LBJ was born in the small town of Stonewall, Texas, in 1908. He grew up in a modest family, where politics and hard work were the norm. He was known for his cocky attitude and his larger-than-life personality, which led him to become the life of the party and the center of attention.

Political Career

LBJ’s political career began in 1937 when he won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He quickly made a name for himself as a master of political haggling, using every tool at his disposal to gain power and influence.

In 1948, LBJ waged a vicious campaign for the U.S. Senate against Coke Stevenson, a popular Texas governor. LBJ used every trick in the book, from ballot stuffing to bribing, to win the election by a margin of only 87 votes. He earned the nickname “Landslide Lyndon,” despite the fact that there was nothing “landslide” about his victory.

LBJ served as the Senate Majority Leader from 1955 to 1961 and then as Vice President under John F. Kennedy from 1961 to 1963. When JFK was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, LBJ swore the oath of office on the plane and became the President.

Achievements

LBJ’s presidency was marked by significant achievements, including the Civil Rights Act, which banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. He also signed the Voting Rights Act, which abolished the discriminatory voting laws that had disenfranchised black Americans for decades.

LBJ’s commitment to social welfare programs resulted in the creation of Medicare and Medicaid, which provided healthcare for millions of elderly and low-income Americans. He also strengthened the economy by pushing for tax cuts, job training, and increased federal spending.

Legacy

LBJ was a complex and controversial figure, loved by some and hated by others. He was credited with significant achievements but also criticized for his escalation of the Vietnam War.

Despite his flaws, LBJ remains an important figure in American history, a master of political haggling who knew how to get things done. He once said, “The American people want a president who’s on their side, who will fight for them, who won’t let the special interests run roughshod over them.”

LBJ was unquestionably on the side of the American people, but he was also a master of political haggling who knew how to get what he wanted. As one observer put it, “LBJ could charm a snake off a branch, and then turn around and wring its neck.”