Lyndon Baines Johnson: Ferocious but Compassionate

From his humble beginnings in the Texas Hill Country to the Presidency of the United States, Lyndon Baines Johnson was a man of strong character and steadfast inspirations that would fundamentally change this nation. Lyndon would exhibit strength, courage and vigor to accomplish all the amazing feats in his illustrious political career.

At an early age, LBJ was affected by the harsh realities of life, from the wrath of the Great Depression on Johnson City to the power and politics of fear employed by the Ku Klux Klan in the Texas legislature. These events introduced him to the dark side of politics, and from these experiences he was able to better understand politics and politicians.

Before entering the House of Representatives, LBJ briefly taught Hispanic students in an impoverished area. He found great pleasure as a teacher, but the low salaries in the depression and his grandiose political ambitions led to a short career in education. In 1931, LBJ earned a job as an aide to Congressman Richard Kleberg, a friend of LBJ's father in the Texas Legislature.

As an aide in Washington, LBJ worked tirelessly for Congressmen Kleberg. He examined, analyzed, and memorized the Congressman's entire congressional protocol to ensure no matter was overlooked. At this time, he developed a rapport with the media, which helped him secure information before it became available to Congressmen and the public. To gain the favor of the media he would invite them to his apartment for cocktails.

In 1934 LBJ met the girl of his dreams. Claudia Ann Taylor, known later to Americans as Lady Bird, was a member of a wealthy family in East Texas. Claudia did not have a favorable first impression of the tall eccentric man. She spoke of Johnson as "quite a repulsive young man." Lady Bird was a woman of reserved and relaxed nature, and was at first overwhelmed by LBJ's intense and unwavering personality, and eventually became extremely fond of the man. Her calm and graceful presence was the perfect counterbalance to LBJ's eccentric and hyperactive lifestyle. Three months later the couple married.

In 1937, James Buchanan, a U.S. Congressman in LBJ's home district, died. LBJ moved swiftly and graciously to run for his seat in the House of Representatives. At the start of his Congressional career, he became frustrated with his role because he could neither pass nor propose legislation due to his age and status in the House. But his ambition often pushed him to set unrealistic goals. In 1941, LBJ saw an opportunitie to pursue a U.S. Senate seat, and was certain that support from Sam Rayburn would guarantee him the office. However, LBJ was defeated by Lee Pappy "Pass the Biscuits, Pappy" O'Daniel in a close race.

In 1950, LBJ tried again to win a seat in the U.S. Senate. In the Democratic Primary, he faced another tough Texas governor, Coke "Mr. Texas" Stevenson, who possessed great presence and character. LBJ learned much from his previous defeat and ran a ferocious campaign. LBJ fought hard and forced a Democratic runoff election, winning by only 87 votes. He easily won the seat due to a weak Republican Party in Texas.

In his first term as a Senator, LBJ quickly rose in national prominence due to his magnificent political skill. After two years, LBJ became party whip, where he was responsible to gather votes and obtain vote counts to ensure the passage of Democratic legislation. Two years later, LBJ became majority leader in the Senate.

This furious ascent was accomplished through charming senior members of the Senate, positioning himself on the right committees, and working harder than everyone else. LBJ gained the favor of many Congressmen by familiarizing himself with their personalities, beliefs, and concerns. Others believe that Sam Rayburn, the Speaker of the House, extensively and continuously pushed powerful Senators to grant LBJ greater authority in the Senate.

When LBJ became majority leader he shifted his attention from foreign policy to domestic affairs. In an effort to get results, LBJ began to work with President Eisenhower to pass important legislation. LBJ's critics claimed that his cooperation was directly correlated with his desire to run for president. With the help of Sam Rayburn, LBJ was able to pass an array of Democratic legislation. He played a key role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, accomplishing this impressive task through his cooperation with President Eisenhower and through persuading reluctant Southern Democrats who had been hesitant to vote for such a radical social legislation.

LBJ's fierce work ethic and unflinching ambition caused him enormous stress. In his second term, he suffered a massive heart attack in the Virginia countryside. After this near-death experience, LBJ felt that his life must go through a series of changes: he decided to quit smoking lose weight, and delegate work to staff.

In 1960, LBJ declared his candidacy for President. The 1960 campaign was a hard-fought battle for the nomination, and in the end fellow Senator John F. Kennedy out-campaigned him. At the Democratic convention, JFK eased the minds of Democrats when he asked LBJ to join the Democratic ticket. In the general election, LBJ surprised many by accepting the nomination and campaigning hard for the ticket. With LBJ's help Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon to become the 35th President of the United States.

As Vice-President, LBJ was unhappy with what he considered a lackluster role in the Kennedy Administration. JFK did put him in charge of some important issues, however, such as the space program, and equal employment opportunity. LBJ's anger and frustration stemmed from his desire to play a greater role in foreign policy as Vice-President.

After JFK's assassination in November 1963, LBJ was sworn in as 36th President of the United States aboard Air Force One. On a tragic day in American history, LBJ came before the nation and stated, “Our enemies have always made the same mistake. In my lifetime — in depression and in war — they have awaited our defeat. Each time, from the secret places of the American heart, came forth the faith they could not see or that they could not even imagine. It brought us victory. And it will again.”

In the 1964 presidential campaign, LBJ was challenged by Republican nominee Barry Goldwater. Goldwater's refusal to take moderate positions and ineffective campaigning lost him the election. While he won independents and moderate republicans on the west coast, LBJ lost the support of Souther Democrats — who remained resentful of LBJ's and Democrats' role in the Civil Rights Act — and hard-line conservatives.

In his second term, LBJ's legislative agenda's main focus was the Great Society ” the continuation of Kennedy's New Frontier social policies. The Great Society's purpose was to give aid to underprivileged Americans, address inequalities in the educational system, combat poverty, and increase economic development in urban areas. Shortly after he was elected, LBJ's administration helped pass a bill establishing the Department of Housing and Urban Development, pushed funds into colleges for student aid, and established the National Endowment of the Arts.

All of LBJ's great accomplishments, however, would be overshadowed by the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War would forever be connected with LBJ's administration, and the 58,000 Americans lost in the war would forever diminish his achievements at home. Like Truman, LBJ chose not to run for re-election due to massive unpopularity of a war.

In the last years, LBJ remained confined to his ranch in Texas where he prepared his memoirs and oversaw the development of his Presidential library. On January 22, 1973, LBJ's magnificent life came to an end.