Scholars around the country, whether reared and educated in the Northeast or not, do not castigate LBJ out of regional prejudice but based on the facts of the historical record. The abomination of Vietnam and its 58,000 plus death toll (not counting the disabilities and ruined lives of many more US soldiers nor the the 1-2 million innocent Vietnamese civilians killed) will always be the greatest "legacy" of Lyndon Johnson. He destroyed an entire generation to invade a country that never attacked us and never threatened us. Similar to another recent president from Texas. No matter how fashionable the rehabilitation of LBJ is by today's revisionist historians, the facts of Vietnam do not change. Health care and voting rights don't help much for the dead black men mowed down to satisfy the profit drive of executives at Bell Helicopter and Lockheed-Martin.
1
While it's hard to know what would have happened if JFK had lived, I don't think any likely president in the mid-60s would have withdrawn from Vietnam, but I also think very few could have passed Civil Rights, Voting Rights, Medicare/Medicaid or the Fair Housing Act.
7
I agree. Johnson used his knowledge of the Senate and its history. He knew where the bodies were buried, and he knew what to offer. He also had a working friendship with Everett Dirksen. He was a master politician who came up under Sam Rayburn. The Civil Rights Bill was a credit to both Johnson and Dirksen. I think he would have taken this worthless 114th Congress down, as would Truman.
1
Chris and Pete, he certainly knew where the bodies were buried. In fact, his hit-man Mac Wallace helped bury plenty of bodies back in Texas on his behalf. The Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act are great positives in American history and LBJ deserves credit for them. But America and its historians should not white-wash his legacy. These legislative acts are not a "get-out-of-jail-free-card" for Vietnam. LBJ was extremely corrupt, worse than Nixon & JFK, and never should have risen to become Senator in the first place. As for what would have happened with Vietnam, we will never know although, as documents declassified in the last 2 decades strongly suggest, JFK was planning for complete withdrawal if he was reelected in 1964.
The ability of our country to agree to (however begrudgingly) to share in the expense of providing healthcare to all of America's grandparents signified a true advance in humanity.
Standing in the clear light of that goodness, a too-good percentage of our politicians attack the extension of that humanity (Obamacare) as the single largest affront to American freedom since... God knows what.
The average paycheck suffers 1.45% from the luxury of providing America's elderly with dignity and humanity in their final years, irrespective of the hand which fate dealt to the codgers.
Is it really such a nightmare that all Americans could receive quality healthcare irrespective of their circumstances?
If you're simply against throwing another 1.45% into the community chest- for God's sake, just admit it.
Standing in the clear light of that goodness, a too-good percentage of our politicians attack the extension of that humanity (Obamacare) as the single largest affront to American freedom since... God knows what.
The average paycheck suffers 1.45% from the luxury of providing America's elderly with dignity and humanity in their final years, irrespective of the hand which fate dealt to the codgers.
Is it really such a nightmare that all Americans could receive quality healthcare irrespective of their circumstances?
If you're simply against throwing another 1.45% into the community chest- for God's sake, just admit it.
9
Obama and DC Democrats would have been much further ahead by expanding Medicare rather than the Rube Goldberg extension of for-profit private health insurance. Voters understand and strongly support Medicare. The Supreme Court would be mute when addressing expanding Medicare to the entire population, which was part of the Johnson/Truman plan when Medicare passed 50 years ago.
The Anti-New Deal Democrats running the show today are not only incompetent, but an embarrassment to the FDR/HST/LBJ legacy.
The Anti-New Deal Democrats running the show today are not only incompetent, but an embarrassment to the FDR/HST/LBJ legacy.
6
Thank you so much for that information. I often wondered when and how that began.
3
Thank you, NYT and Mr Bechloss, for these snippets of our history. I remember the signing of the Medicare Act.
1
Every POTUS carries the weight of the world on their shoulders so that they can provide American citizens with the best lifestyle. They can't provide the US lifestyle without looking after world politics. The camaraderie between Lyndon and Truman is a wonderful presentation of two men who understand and appreciate the power and glory of their office.
2
Despite all the criticism, LBJ did made an enormous difference for the common good in America. Today, there's no politician even remotely close to being in his league. I dunno, maybe Johnson was motivated by a higher calling, for doing what's right.
9
He grew up in poor Texas hill country, and he knew what poverty looked like. His legacy on health care and voting rights far outweighs his decision to continue Kennedy's misadventure in Vietnam. I don't believe Kennedy would have continued that mess; he would have finessed his way out, as he did with the Cuban missile crisis. He worked out a solution through backdoor diplomacy.
Do remember that what LBJ and other progressive politicians in 1965 really wanted was "Medicare for all"--a de facto system of national health insurance. But they were thwarted by Southern white politicians who just couldn't stand the idea of blacks being able to access social welfare benefits. So the end result instead was Medicare--admirable in its own right, but less than what could have been attained. Remember, Social Security when passed in 1935 initially excluded domestic household and agricultural workers from being eligible--an insertion deliberately designed to block access to such benefits for blacks (who were overwhelmingly employed in those sectors in the South in the 1930s).
Thanks a lot for the centuries of slave labor done by your ancestors which generated the economic surplus necessary for America's initial drive towards industrialization, but NO we don't want you people collecting jack squat until you are old. That basically sums up the attitude of reactionary southern white politicians in the United States since forever. Not even Lyndon Johnson had the power to cajole such people.
Thanks a lot for the centuries of slave labor done by your ancestors which generated the economic surplus necessary for America's initial drive towards industrialization, but NO we don't want you people collecting jack squat until you are old. That basically sums up the attitude of reactionary southern white politicians in the United States since forever. Not even Lyndon Johnson had the power to cajole such people.
15
Agree.
4
I cannot help but wonder if a demonstrable nod by the President to the Clinton's and to their efforts to begin the discussion regarding healthcare for all would go a long way with the people. Those who are undecided about making choices advocated by these public servants, would gain confidence and put that confidence into their voting rights.
2
It is right and good to remember these two giants who lived in the shadow of their predecessors. As a strong opponent of LBJ at the time over Vietnam, the revealation that LBJ was secretly seeking a negotiated settlement with Ho, but Richard Nixon was consorting with the "enemy" to prolong that war through the 1968 Election, caused me to re-evaluate LBJ. As well as Ev Dirksen who was working with LBJ to bring Nixon to heel. RMN, not just a crook, a Traitor. But, let's not forget the role of a functional House and Senate in bringing MediCare in to existence. We had an effective Speaker of the House and Majority Leader in John McCormack (D-MA) and Carl Albert (D-OK), who designed the playing field in the House, and VP Hubert Humphrey (D-MN), Mike Mansfield (D-MT) and Russel Long (D-LA) orchestrating the Senate, while LBJ worked the phones and sent White House invitations to 'old friends' Not only were they travelers pursuing the dream "to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity", they had the conviction, perseverance and guts to make it happen.
13
In the immediate aftermath of Kennedy's death Truman was quoted as saying "If Mr. Johnson needs help he'll ask for it."
Imagine what it must have been like in America when patriots and statesmen, each with a partisan point of view, put the collective interest of America first and foremost.
Imagine a new president today being able to get political and governing advice from guys with the experience of a Truman or an Eisenhower.
Imagine what it must have been like in America when patriots and statesmen, each with a partisan point of view, put the collective interest of America first and foremost.
Imagine a new president today being able to get political and governing advice from guys with the experience of a Truman or an Eisenhower.
6
An unlikely great president who carried the 1948 election on his back by whistle-stop straight talking.
It became 'entertainment tonight' after that.
It became 'entertainment tonight' after that.
4
LBJ was certainly no Harry Truman. Poor Harry must be spinning in his grave from this analogy!
1
A poignant recollection by a renowned presidential historian, and indeed they shared parallel populist policy perspectives. HST was the last non-college educated president, and LBJ may be the last Texan in the White House.
We can only hope your two 'predictions' hold true.
3
Hmmm.... . George HW Bush was an adopted Texan, and George W Bush was a native. Not that either was much of a president -- in fact both were pretty bad, George W worse than his father. But both were (are) Texans.
4
memyselfandi,
George W was not a native Texan. I believe he was born in Connecticut. I'm not suggesting he wasn't a Texan, just that he wasn't a native.
George W was not a native Texan. I believe he was born in Connecticut. I'm not suggesting he wasn't a Texan, just that he wasn't a native.
1
I'm a great admirer of Eisenhower's but his shabby treatment of Truman has always diminished him in my eyes.
4
At least the Democratic leaders during this time were not a blatant with deceptive messages from their staff, unlike today with Susan Rice and John Kerry change the message of the President only days apart.
2
Medicare Insurance brought more elderly out of poverty than any other social program in the history of America.
Unfortunately, Medicare has become less cost and health outcome effective due to Medicare subsidies being brokered to private insurance companies (Medicare Advantage :Plans) and private drug companies and prescription services (Part D Medicare).
This redistribution of Medicare funds during the past 25 years away from patients and their doctors into the pockets of the insurance company bondholders, shareholders, executives and pharmaceutical industry has resulted in increased costs and less accessible health care for the elderly.
Unfortunately, Medicare has become less cost and health outcome effective due to Medicare subsidies being brokered to private insurance companies (Medicare Advantage :Plans) and private drug companies and prescription services (Part D Medicare).
This redistribution of Medicare funds during the past 25 years away from patients and their doctors into the pockets of the insurance company bondholders, shareholders, executives and pharmaceutical industry has resulted in increased costs and less accessible health care for the elderly.
20
Both presidents changed the way ordinary and average Americans live in very positive and long-lasting ways.
With regard to the two wars, Truman upheld an important principle of collective security and sustained the power and prestige of the United Nations. Although the Korean War was costly and unpopular, South Korea has gone on to be a great success. So the Korean War, like the Battle of the Coral Sea in World War II, involved taking some costly hits, it was a strategic victory in the longer term.
In contrast, Vietnam was just a loser, a costly setback of no lasting benefit, an example of wooden-headed policy making by a Washington elite detached from distant realities.
With regard to the two wars, Truman upheld an important principle of collective security and sustained the power and prestige of the United Nations. Although the Korean War was costly and unpopular, South Korea has gone on to be a great success. So the Korean War, like the Battle of the Coral Sea in World War II, involved taking some costly hits, it was a strategic victory in the longer term.
In contrast, Vietnam was just a loser, a costly setback of no lasting benefit, an example of wooden-headed policy making by a Washington elite detached from distant realities.
7
Presidents have their best source of everyday coping skills in office from those who have previously been in that position, as BHO has used Clinton and others willing to share their insights. Truman learned very late about the Manhattan Project from FDR, but was in-charge throughout his time in office and deserves our thanks for so many things. It's a tough job and our historians too often get paid to launch post-presidential favorites to the top rungs of our our history, but both Truman and LBJ both deserve top rung status.
6
Though I resisted the Vietnam Conflict and chose school near the Canadian border, I loved LBJ for acknowledging his civic responsibility in civil rights and responsibility.
10
Larry
Lancaster
I can't say I was a great fan in 1968 for reasons you might divine but in retrospect it's clear LBJ is one of the three presidents of the last 115 years who has done most to shape the country as it is today. To some extent he (as Bismarck said) grasped the tail of God's coat but then that is what politics is all about and he had the vision to do so despite his background.
Lancaster
I can't say I was a great fan in 1968 for reasons you might divine but in retrospect it's clear LBJ is one of the three presidents of the last 115 years who has done most to shape the country as it is today. To some extent he (as Bismarck said) grasped the tail of God's coat but then that is what politics is all about and he had the vision to do so despite his background.
8
But, now we know that behind the scenes, LBJ was trying to negotiate a settlement with Ho, while Nixon was trying to scuttle those negotiations in a craven effort to win the 1968 nomination and Election.
My view of LBJ quickly changed.
My view of LBJ quickly changed.
7
enjoyed the read with a smile on my face............LBJ---so so very interesting!! like him or not.
3
Mr Beschloss, I hope you will continue to write these insightful studies of US presidents. Lyndon Johnson definitely served a principal, guiding role when speaking of the social legislation that was passed in the second half of the 20th century. Until reading your critical essays, I could not fathom why LBJ was not recognized and praised for the legislation passed during his presidency. That Pres. Johnson was gracious and respectful of President Truman, sheds more light on his civility and respect for the office of President.
10
A pleasure to read Michael Beschloss' good article. My second daughter, Rebecca, is named in honour of LBJ's mother, Rebekkah in her spelling.
The conscience behind a good man as President.
-dlj.
The conscience behind a good man as President.
-dlj.
5
I found the article quite moving but why did the author have to ascribe negative ulterior motives to LBJ for acknowledging, appreciating Truman's contributions?
2
He may have admired Truman, but when Truman vetoed the racist McCarran-Walter act in 1952, Johnson voted with the Republicans to override Truman's veto. Congressman John F. Kennedy supported Truman on that issue and voted against the override.
7
Johnson later realized that he belonged on the other side of the civil rights issue--as early as 1957. Lots of political leaders will not admit errors or take corrective action, but Johnson did.
8
Harry Truman is the President that Republicans love to quote to convince voters they understand ordinary folks. He's many Republicans favorite Democrat. One of the differences between Truman and Johnson is that HST embraced, recruited and used eastern elites while LBJ felt intimidated by them.
6
Tip O'Neil said Truman was the best President with whom he worked, most knowledgeable about the Federal government, Reagan the worst without knowledge or interest in government workings, and Ford second best.
13
Our country is drowning is a sea of debt created in large part by social engineering / social welfare programs. This article is propaganda to help shape public opinion before SCOTUS considers King v Burwell.
We are on a trajectory that is unsustainable.
We are on a trajectory that is unsustainable.
2
It would be nice if those who bemoan the federal debt would consider the facts and recent history. Recall the Gore/Bush debates? The topic of the day was "how to spend the surplus." Under Bush, it was spent funding a trillion dollar war in Iraq, chasing nonexistent WMDs - a knee jerk reaction to domestic terrorism that accomplished nothing but the destruction of Iraqi society and the destabilization of the Middle East, which in turn created a breeding ground for the extremist movements and global terrorism of today. We are now drowning in debt largely because of the cost of flattening Iraq and then attempting to rebuild it, while our own neglected and aging infrastructure was rotting away. We also bear the ongoing expense of caring for the tens of thousands who came home with permanent injuries, physical and psychological. We also have a heavy debt burden as a result of the illogical economic dogma of the Right, which insists that lowering taxes and eliminating financial regulation will miraculously grow the economy and create jobs - when, in fact, it merely concentrates wealth in the hands of the few and hamstrings government efforts to provide basic social services for the many. If you would like to see a government 'drowning in debt,' you need look no further than Bobby Jindal's home state to see the inevitable results of the Right's morally and economically bankrupt fiscal theories. To think he is now touted as a potential conservative presidential candidate! Ludicrous.
16
Baloney, JD. The reason for the huge national debt is that three Republican presidents and their acolytes decided to stop for the programs that have been enacted over the past 75 years "to promote the general welfare" of all Americans, as per the U.S. Constitution. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, support for public education, roads and bridges and other infrastructure--all have taken massive hits because Republicans, acting at the behest of their powerful backers, have gutted the revenue stream by slashing top tax rates and pouring off-budget money into wars and military programs that benefit none but the military industrial complex--and its owners, those same GOP backers.
The trajectory of the Laffable curve's long-term arc is clear to all who don't have ideological blinders on. The proof of the failure of Reaganomics is visible in the economies of failed states led by right-wing radicals all over the country: Wisconsin, Kansas, Florida, North Carolina all face half-billion-dollar deficits after 2 to 6 years of Republican policies. They all followed the same path: cut taxes on the rich, gut the unions, blame educators and liberals, and walk away leaving their states broke. Just as Ronald Reagan and George Bush left America.
The trajectory of the Laffable curve's long-term arc is clear to all who don't have ideological blinders on. The proof of the failure of Reaganomics is visible in the economies of failed states led by right-wing radicals all over the country: Wisconsin, Kansas, Florida, North Carolina all face half-billion-dollar deficits after 2 to 6 years of Republican policies. They all followed the same path: cut taxes on the rich, gut the unions, blame educators and liberals, and walk away leaving their states broke. Just as Ronald Reagan and George Bush left America.
10
Our red ink stems from all of our spending decisions, not just those for social programs, and from all our revenue decisions. Our most expensive housing program, for example, is in the Internal Revenue code (all the deductions for home mortgages, property taxes, etc.). In addition, two of our most expensive social benefit programs, Medicare and Social Security, generate a great deal of revenue.
3
Hard to believe that BHO is a Democrat. Certainly not in the same league as these two giants!
3
You don't make that judgement, history does. And not now but in 40 or 50 years. T
he first president to propose a system of public health insurance was, surprise, a Republican, TR. The next was FDR and health insurance was considered in construction Social Security but the president thought it was not going to be attainable along with a system of old age income security so it was dropped from the program.
Then came HST, who tried hard but could not get it done. Then LBJ, who got Medicare for older Americans and Medicaid for the poor.
And lately comes Barack Obama who got the Affordable Care Act that is providing health coverage and therefore reliable health care to 12 million people at most recent count; that has beneficially affected, by various estimates, as many as 30 million people and that is changing the economics of health care in ways that reduce cost and rationalize the system.
So history will be the judge -- and history is in part the perspective of time and not you or me or some lunatic Republican who knows nothing of any of this -- and most Republicans know nothing because knowing nothing is their stock and trade.
I am old enough to remember when the president was Harry Truman and so old enough to remember that by the time he left office in January 1953 the American people thought pretty badly of him. His historical rehabilitation came long after he died. History's appreciation of President Obama will be revealed not in a year or two but decades from now.
he first president to propose a system of public health insurance was, surprise, a Republican, TR. The next was FDR and health insurance was considered in construction Social Security but the president thought it was not going to be attainable along with a system of old age income security so it was dropped from the program.
Then came HST, who tried hard but could not get it done. Then LBJ, who got Medicare for older Americans and Medicaid for the poor.
And lately comes Barack Obama who got the Affordable Care Act that is providing health coverage and therefore reliable health care to 12 million people at most recent count; that has beneficially affected, by various estimates, as many as 30 million people and that is changing the economics of health care in ways that reduce cost and rationalize the system.
So history will be the judge -- and history is in part the perspective of time and not you or me or some lunatic Republican who knows nothing of any of this -- and most Republicans know nothing because knowing nothing is their stock and trade.
I am old enough to remember when the president was Harry Truman and so old enough to remember that by the time he left office in January 1953 the American people thought pretty badly of him. His historical rehabilitation came long after he died. History's appreciation of President Obama will be revealed not in a year or two but decades from now.
20
History is a mercurial mistress.
Your two giants were immensely unpopular when they left the Oval Office. Both were replaced in landslides by Republican presidents. Both rode out of office on the backs of divisive wars. Both were perceived by the majority of the electorate as backwoods rubes who gained the Presidency because of the vicissitudes of history.
Your two giants were immensely unpopular when they left the Oval Office. Both were replaced in landslides by Republican presidents. Both rode out of office on the backs of divisive wars. Both were perceived by the majority of the electorate as backwoods rubes who gained the Presidency because of the vicissitudes of history.
2
Yet, History has cleared their reputations and their records. They have been demonstrated to be great leaders from what used to be the Heartland.
Further, there was no "landslide" that ushered one of History's Great Traitors, Richard Nixon, into Office. His was a marginal and fluke win based only on the fact that the Electorate did not know that his was consorting with the "enemy", North Viet Nam, to prolong the war "just a little", instead of coming to terms with LBJ.
Not to mention, that Ike was hardly a "Republican" ... he'd be laughed out of this current incarnation of the GOP as fast as was Colin Powell.
Further, there was no "landslide" that ushered one of History's Great Traitors, Richard Nixon, into Office. His was a marginal and fluke win based only on the fact that the Electorate did not know that his was consorting with the "enemy", North Viet Nam, to prolong the war "just a little", instead of coming to terms with LBJ.
Not to mention, that Ike was hardly a "Republican" ... he'd be laughed out of this current incarnation of the GOP as fast as was Colin Powell.
2
Nice work. Thank you.
4
President Johnson could have been a bit better. President Truman was terrific.
2
Medicare is 50 this year. This is the program that Reagan derided as socialism. Now everyone who agreed with him at the time is on Medicare, and they defend it ferociously. How funny.
31
And you'll note that Reagan didn't turn down either his social security or medicare benefits when he was eligible either!
5
Ultimately most of the good works we perform remain thankless and unrecognized, if not outright scorned. In the world-at-large, success in popular entertainment and the acquisition of largesse are cause for celebrity. There are those moments, both at the end of the day and in the final moments of life, when we may reflect upon the good we have attempted. I try to judge my own life in this way, with no expectation of external reward. That is not to say that thanks and recognition are not appreciated when offered.
3
Outlanders and outliers indeed, and refreshing ones at that. I wait patiently for the day when a Harvard graduated President threatens to kick a NYT columnist in the nether parts for a nasty review of his daughter's singing performance, or lifts up his shirt to reveal surgical scars. As a young man, I read Merle Miller's "Plain Speaking", an oral biography of HSR - Harry has remained my favorited President ever since.
6
Johnson was best at putting young American men in harms way while politicizing the military effort. Then he came out of the closet and wore his hair in a pony tail. I thought he had lost his mind and was going to invite Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to the LBJ ranch before it was all over.
2
In 1963, Lyndon Johnson, after 30 years in Washington DC was in no way shape or form an "outsider." I don't know where Beschloss concocts that fantasy from. Lyndon Johnson was a criminal of Biblical proportions who shot his way into the White House - caring for the little people was no his priority at all. Taking care of LBJ, insanely grasping for more money/power 24/7 is how LBJ rolled.
"The imperial presidency" - LBJ was its biggest proponent and giving Truman US airplanes to fly around on and a post-presidency privileges was all about how the grafters of today, the Clintons and the Bushes, mooch off the taxpayer with lifetime Secret Service protection provided by the over-burdened taxpayer.
LBJ did not croak because he looked at Truman's corpse in a casket - LBJ abused himself for decades by "smoking like a crazy man" according to Bobby Baker and dumping hundreds of gallons of cheapo Curty Sark poison into his body, not to mention his manic habit of not sleeping except when he was a fit of depression.
LBJ shot his way into the presidency, stole his way into being a billionaire by the time he died (sitting on stolen gold from Victorio Peak) and he thought socialism for everyone else was a good thing.
"The imperial presidency" - LBJ was its biggest proponent and giving Truman US airplanes to fly around on and a post-presidency privileges was all about how the grafters of today, the Clintons and the Bushes, mooch off the taxpayer with lifetime Secret Service protection provided by the over-burdened taxpayer.
LBJ did not croak because he looked at Truman's corpse in a casket - LBJ abused himself for decades by "smoking like a crazy man" according to Bobby Baker and dumping hundreds of gallons of cheapo Curty Sark poison into his body, not to mention his manic habit of not sleeping except when he was a fit of depression.
LBJ shot his way into the presidency, stole his way into being a billionaire by the time he died (sitting on stolen gold from Victorio Peak) and he thought socialism for everyone else was a good thing.
3
Johnson shot his way into the presidency? How did that happen? Invent the imperial presidency? A careful review shows that many presidents, as well as Congresses and federal courts, contributed to that development. You might also notice that the emphasis on lifetime Secret Service protection came after the assassinations of John Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Robert Kennedy, and the attempted assassination of George Wallace, not to mention the attempt on Nixon's life. The Secret Service protection is also a miniscule part of the federal budget. Such hostility!
1
Truman dropped the bomb, Johnson defoliated a country in the process of human slaughter. Hey, nobody's perfect. Whether you are a political accident or an egocentric manipulator makes little difference because the office of the President and the system driving it requires you to kill somebody eventually. So, let's look at the bright side and laud the humanitarian impulses and accomplishments when they so rarely happen. Progress in America is a grinding, unlikely process that only occurs when the timing and opportunity is seized by an imperfect political operator after being besieged by public opinion or crisis. Without these brief, seminal moments of enlightenment, our country would be less hospitable to the unfortunate than it is.
6
Truman is without question the second most important and consequential president of the 20th century which would put him in he top five or six in history. It wasn't without mis-steps, and his administration was attacked with an ugliness quite equal to anything we see today, but he safely guided this country and indeed the world through a period of huge danger; and continued the work of the new deal domestically with actions like desegregating the military (by executive order btw for which he was excoriated just as much as someone else we could mention). Since his retirement, which in itself was a huge testimony to the man's humanity and humility, his reputation has grown steadily and deservedly so. Johnson despite the tragedy of Vietnam probably has to rank amongst the top four or five because of the extent to which he permanently reshaped US society with his civil rights and great society legislation and thereby largely finished the work of the new deal era in which he grew up. He wasn't such an attractive personality and left office under a serious cloud (so did Truman) but he seems to undergoing something of a sympathetic re-appraisal with the passage of time.
28
thanks Mr. Beschloss for a "human" portrait of these two
rough-hewn presidents. Looking at the Republican candidates
we're seeing today; listening to their hatred of one another and
of our President; it's disheartening to see how cynical and really
unpleasant our politics has become. True, these two men were
democrats, but there was a respect, a humanity shown that is
so absent today. Instead of offering ideas and solutions to our
problems, instead mean barbs and hate clouds the air our
politicians breath - Shameful and so discouraging.
rough-hewn presidents. Looking at the Republican candidates
we're seeing today; listening to their hatred of one another and
of our President; it's disheartening to see how cynical and really
unpleasant our politics has become. True, these two men were
democrats, but there was a respect, a humanity shown that is
so absent today. Instead of offering ideas and solutions to our
problems, instead mean barbs and hate clouds the air our
politicians breath - Shameful and so discouraging.
36
It will be interesting to see the extent of magnanimity to be shown by our current President toward his predecessors.
1
I think the current President has shown enormous restraint, given the economic and military misery caused by his predecessor. Recall many people joked "W" stood for worst president ever. So, yes, Obama has given him much more dignity than he deserves, by not reminding us of him.
Of course it is only when two presidents are of the same party that we will get a lot of positive reminders.
Of course it is only when two presidents are of the same party that we will get a lot of positive reminders.
8
I think Barack Obama should show magnanimity towards Jimmy Carter. Regarding foreign policy, both Obama and Carter inherited a major mess from their predecessors but did relatively well. preferring diplomacy, while stumbling over Iran and the ever-confusing issues of Afghanistan and North Korea. Both Obama and Carter inherited economies made lousy by their predecessor's administrations.
I can't imagine any President who would have anything more than pity for GW Bush, unless Jeb Bush is elected. Jeb would no doubt honor his father GH Bush.
Hillary Clinton, if elected, would bring Bill Clinton back to the White House, and should honor Barack Obama as she was his Secretary of State.
But, didn't you mean to say that Barack Obama's successors should show magnanimity to him? I think history will look very kindly upon Barack Obama, who has been a good president facing many obstacles, and who could accomplish much more during his 2nd term.
I can't imagine any President who would have anything more than pity for GW Bush, unless Jeb Bush is elected. Jeb would no doubt honor his father GH Bush.
Hillary Clinton, if elected, would bring Bill Clinton back to the White House, and should honor Barack Obama as she was his Secretary of State.
But, didn't you mean to say that Barack Obama's successors should show magnanimity to him? I think history will look very kindly upon Barack Obama, who has been a good president facing many obstacles, and who could accomplish much more during his 2nd term.
5
I have seen nor heard of any evidence that he has been anything but magnanimous towards all of his surviving predecessors. In particular, BHO invited George W. Bush to share the podium with him when bin-Laden was killed, but the latter declined.
6
Lyndon Johnson, in his own rough-hewn way, was gracious, as this Medicare anecdote shows.
And the fact that he didn't have an Ivy League education turned out to be one of his greatest assets. It enabled him to relate to -- and consistently connect with -- the plight of people who were struggling. In short, he had empathy.
Although the tragedy of the Vietnam War will always be a painful part of his legacy, it's important to never lose sight of the fact that if it weren't for all the social legislation that this man made sure was enacted through sheer willpower, force of personality and political skill, our country would be much worse off -- and certainly far less just -- than it is today. He was a giant in a national capital now overrun by midgets.
The list of laws passed between 1964 and 1968 to make America a better place is nothing short of awe-inspiring. LBJ was flawed, as we all are, but he made an enormous difference for the common good. Today, there's no one even remotely close to being in his league.
And the fact that he didn't have an Ivy League education turned out to be one of his greatest assets. It enabled him to relate to -- and consistently connect with -- the plight of people who were struggling. In short, he had empathy.
Although the tragedy of the Vietnam War will always be a painful part of his legacy, it's important to never lose sight of the fact that if it weren't for all the social legislation that this man made sure was enacted through sheer willpower, force of personality and political skill, our country would be much worse off -- and certainly far less just -- than it is today. He was a giant in a national capital now overrun by midgets.
The list of laws passed between 1964 and 1968 to make America a better place is nothing short of awe-inspiring. LBJ was flawed, as we all are, but he made an enormous difference for the common good. Today, there's no one even remotely close to being in his league.
85
Wrong: there's the President.
32
Can't compare LBJ to any President since he left office. What he accomplished, domestically, is nothing short of miraculous. He had the equivalent of the TP/GOP in dixiecrats, but he was masterful in getting legislation passed. Due to LBJ and growing up in the 60s, I believed that govt. could be a force for good (domestically).
2
Bear in mind that, as with Civil and Voting Rights, LBJ had a martyr on his side of the cause. But even so, as an arm-twister extraordinaire he had to put on a virtuoso performance to get through those bills he could.
1
Another dimension of Harry S Truman's post-presidential life took shape during the presidential election of 1960.
Senator Kennedy enlisted former president Truman to go on a barnstorming tour.
Truman made multiple appearance, attracting sizeable audiences, to advance the prospects of JFK.
He spoke with great verve and conviction. Once President Kennedy was installed in the White House, he invited the Truman family for a visit. As it happened this was the first time the former president was in the presidential mansion since his departure on January 20, 1953, when the office passed from Truman to Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Senator Kennedy enlisted former president Truman to go on a barnstorming tour.
Truman made multiple appearance, attracting sizeable audiences, to advance the prospects of JFK.
He spoke with great verve and conviction. Once President Kennedy was installed in the White House, he invited the Truman family for a visit. As it happened this was the first time the former president was in the presidential mansion since his departure on January 20, 1953, when the office passed from Truman to Dwight D. Eisenhower.
17
Extant is the word I meant to use. JG-
Harry became one of my political heroes as I read the McCollough book while laid up after back surgery 'back in the day,' as my students used to like to say. He was more of an astute politician than he is given credit for. He knew where the bodies were, sort to speak.
While he may not be on the same level of greatness as his predecessor, Harry is definitely on the second tier in my mind.
While he may not be on the same level of greatness as his predecessor, Harry is definitely on the second tier in my mind.
12
Lyndon Johnson could be crude, could be wrong, could be obstinate, but he had a deep sense of decency and humanity, and concern for those who were unfortunate, dispossessed, despised, and discriminated against.
We know he felt hurt seeing JFK's photo, but never his own, in so many of the black homes in the South, while it was his own civil rights and voting rights legislation which marked the great turning point for black people in the South, but not only in the South. These landmark statutes were the result of his using his unique skills and influence with Congress, and in the knowledge of the huge political prices his party would pay in the South,-- a price which is still being paid.
For these things LBJ indeed deserves from other Presidents the honour he paid to Truman.
We know he felt hurt seeing JFK's photo, but never his own, in so many of the black homes in the South, while it was his own civil rights and voting rights legislation which marked the great turning point for black people in the South, but not only in the South. These landmark statutes were the result of his using his unique skills and influence with Congress, and in the knowledge of the huge political prices his party would pay in the South,-- a price which is still being paid.
For these things LBJ indeed deserves from other Presidents the honour he paid to Truman.
58
That day in Independence was one of the most moving political moments of the 20th Century. It is fitting that two hard-driving, more crude than eloquent Democratic leaders would identify with each other. The passage of Medicare is one of several major achievements that will, eventually, lift LBJ's overall presidency into the Top 10. Truman, arguably, is already there, thanks in no small part to the efforts of David McCullough and others who have given him an unvarnished second look. Truman had a remarkably humble post-presidency, especially by modern standards, but it was actually possible if not probable to see the old man himself on a tour of his library in Independence. Still, for all of their other connections, there doesn't seem to be any doubt that the two men were most linked by their role in overseeing very distant, vague wars that increasingly became less popular. The record suggests Americans held the Korean conflict against Truman for a long time, but they'll hold Vietnam (understandably so) against Johnson for even longer.
25
"That was one reason that Johnson allowed Truman to bask in his aura as he signed Medicare. Remembering that ceremony in Independence, Johnson hoped that, one day, some future president might do the same kind of thing for him." This is a callous view of Johnson, as though Johnson or anybody else has only selfish motives for doing what's right, right for a former president or right for the least fortunate among us, to "give them stuff at other people's expense", in the immortal words of Mr. Romney. Maybe Johnson was motivated by a higher calling, for doing what's right.
57
From what I know and what I have read about LBJ he was never motivated by a higher calling. He was a pure politician through and through and acted to advance his political interests always.
1
Yeah, that there explains both the civil rights legislation that "lost us the South for a generation," and his resignation before the 1968 election.
5
I think Johnson was a horse trader by nature, by which I mean he expected to give something for what he got and get something for what he gave and make the best bargain he could. I think he understood human nature, and so he was good at what he did. He famously got on the phone and wheeled and dealt some very important legislation for those who were left out of the blessings of America by the accidents of race and economic status. His methods were practical and effective, and do not negate his important and well-earned legacy for civil rights, Medicare and poor people. Nor does picking up his beagle by the ears, I guess, or showing off his scar for the cameras in his hospital bed. But the war does tarnish his legacy.
I am glad he reached out to Harry Truman. Whatever his motives were, it was a human and kind thing to do.
I am glad he reached out to Harry Truman. Whatever his motives were, it was a human and kind thing to do.
22
Somehow things were more gracious at all levels of American Society- even though it didn't seem that way at the time. Maybe we'll get back there when we see how much better things can be with some civility extent.JG-
20
Mr. Beschloss, This sounds like a topic that could be expanded into a book. If you write it, I'll read it.
9
Just for perspective: When LBJ assumed the office, Truman had only been out of office 10 years, 10 months and 2 days.
Today, Bill Clinton has been out of office 14 years, 1 month, 7 days.
Today, Bill Clinton has been out of office 14 years, 1 month, 7 days.
5
Congratulations, Michael.
This is one of the most intimate and deeply nuanced pieces on a complex issue, transcending multiple administrations and political generations I have ever read.
There are a precious few who could do it justice.
Nothing like a classical education, with Rudolph as a mentor.
This is one of the most intimate and deeply nuanced pieces on a complex issue, transcending multiple administrations and political generations I have ever read.
There are a precious few who could do it justice.
Nothing like a classical education, with Rudolph as a mentor.
5
What's your point?
8