MY BROTHER LYNDON: PART II

How Lyndon got himself in trouble By Sam Johnson EDITED BY ENRIQUE HANK LOPEZ

LYNDON, LADY Bum AND I arrived at the white Kennedy wanted to be the vice presidential candi- penitentiary located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue due in the corning elections, and some of his follow- in a special helicopter on January 5, 1964. Lyndon ers apperendy felt he had a God-given right to his had brought are back to Washington with him after parry's nomination. The well.organized Kennedy Christmas vacation at the ranch. machine was busily engaged in creating a "sponta- That beautiful presidential mansion didn't neous- ground swell for Bobby. No one was more seem like a penitentiary at first sight, but I soon keenly aware of this effort than Lyndon, and he was found that it was. Somewhat amused by the White dead set against it. Not For a single moment did he House security measures, my friend Marie Wilson ever consider having Bobby Kennedy as his running once said, "I'll have to bring you a big cake neat mare. And the reasons were quite obvious. rime—with a steel saw inside it "Marie knew exactly a) Lyndon hated Bobby. whist I meant when I gave the guard at the East Gate b) Bobby hated Lyndon. my favorite signal, raising my two wrists together c) Lyndon didn't need Bobby to win. as if they were handcuffed and yelling, "Back to my d) Lyndon didn't crust Hobby. cell on the second tier." e) Bobby didn't mist Lyndon. f) And each of them knew dunned well he was A FEW VIER-5 AFTER f reached Washington, the hared and mistrusted by the other. Bobby Kennedy problem began to simmer, and it tinder these citcurnsrances, it was naive of the came to a boil in July, 1964 Everyone knew that RFK crowd to think they could force their man on continued OM.. SAM .41,04 .1.1.1111011 ..relte• maw not t.ottntoutiwo ottsm. • Mr ansi.n.en ,rertsce.. TO In 11111.1.103 . Irrt !PDX 11.16M. 43 the President, and their so-called "ground swell" of his potential running mates -(Kennedy, Hum- his big desk, Kennedy in a chair to his right. Ina less 1V-45 being organized against all historical precedent. phrey, Stevenson, McCarthy, Dodd, Pastore, Wag- formal, friendly chat, they would have sar at the Bobby pretended that he disapproved, but I have ner) could add or subtract more than two percent rocking chair and sofa at the end of the Oval Office. never in my life seen a campaign that couldn't ro ot from the probable vote for LBJ. He could pick As Lyndon later recalled, Bobby was rather be stopped by a candidate who didn't want ic. No any partner he wanted. "Look't here," he said one stiff and uncomfortable, politician ever gem drafted against his will. Conse- and he was obviously un- night et the supper table, waving a news clipping happy when he was told he had been eliminated quently, any mild disclaimers by Bobby were simply over his coffee, "I don't need that bale suet to win. from the list of prospective candidates. He gulped an ourward acknowledgment of the time.honoteti I can take anybody I damn well please" like a fat fish pulling in a mouthful of air. Lyndon's rule that no one actively runs for Vice President. He wouldn't have made that kind of imitation of him was pretty amusing. Then, for some I know that the delegates to the ruu-ional con- in public, for beams generally pretty closemouthed reason or other, Kennedy brought up the Bobby venrio a legally nominate the vice presidential andi- about his resentment against any of the Kennel ys or Baker case as if ro show that his name on the Demo- date, but that is all sham. The presidential candidate their clique. If nothing else, his pride wouldn't allow cratic ticket would somehow soften the effect of a —and nerdy he—selects the man. That's the way it him to reveal how much they had humiliated him. passible scandal. Well, that didn't faze Lyndon one should be. A Vice President could raise all kinds of One particular incident char he wasn't likely to bit. He simply reminded Kennedy that there were hell if he should suddenly decide to oppose the forget for a long time occurred when Air Force One too many Republicans involved with Baker, so that President, especially if the President were ill or ab- arrived in Washington just after the assassination. the GOP candidate wasn't likely to harp on it. The sent for other reasons. There are all kinds of oppor- Realizing how important it was to establish a sense flak would hit both patties. tunities for a scheming. dissident Vice President to of continuity, mybrothet naturally wanted to accom- Since Kennedy hadn't volunteered to announce sabotage the President and to wreck all semblance pany the casket (torn the plane to the ground in the his nwn withdrawal, Lyndon asked McGeorge of unity within his administration. A President cargo lift, along with the Kennedy family. But Rohm Bundy, a family friend of the Kenn ed ys, to talk with might alto be double-crossed by a man of his own Kennedy shoved him aside, flatly refusing to let him, him about a simple statement ro the press, announc- choosing, but that is, less likely. thus giving millions of television viewer, the dear, ing he had other plans. DLit Bundy wasn't very suc- Bum though the presidential nominee has the unmistakable impression that he resented the new cessful. In fact, he alienated some of the faithful, final say about his running mate, he mill might feel President as an unwanted intruder. I could feel the who immediately tagged him as a no-good traitor. it necessary to choose som eo n e he doesn't complete- shame and humiliation Lyndon must have felt at that With no recourse left to him, Lyndon called ly want. I seriously doubt that my brother was John moment. I mentioned this to him several months a press conference and told the reporters, "I have F. Kennedy'sperranaf preference (he certainly wasn't later and noticed his mouth suddenly drawn tight. reached the conclusion that it would be inadvisable Bobby's choice), yet JFK had to give so me practical "That's all past," he said. "I don't want to talk for me to recommend to the convention las m y :tan- consideration to the Southern and Protestant vote. about M" I really couldn't tell how much or how ning mate] any member of my Cabinet or any of He also knew Lyndon was better prepared for the long he resented that public snub (or the many those who meet regularly with the Cabinet." Presidency than an yane else,includ ingh irnself. Once other snubs that must have preceded it), because he Later on, my brother told a few reporters chat having made his choice against the advice of certain has always managed to keep such things to himself. he wasn't directing it at Bobby Kennedy, but I doubt bleeding-heart liberals and labor leaders, he ordered that anyone took him seriously. the convention to nominate Lyndon. Shortly before the convention, I came down Four years earlier, when he was nominated for with something resembling the Asiatic flu and re- the second rime, Adlai Stevenson tried a different luctantly checked into the Army hospital at Ft. method: He acruallystve chedelegates a free choice Meade, Md. I had decided not to go to Atlantic on the vice presidential nomination_ The ensuing City, knowing it would be hectic, Ktfavver-Kennedy floor fight may have been a nice Lyndon said that tiring and dull. dramatic couch ac Then, Mar arta the convention got under way, I got at otherwise dull convention, but Gene McCarthy a rail it was mostly a sign of weakness and poor judgment. from Lyndon, asking me to accompany him and Lady Bird, probably on Thursday. Not long after the convention, I heard Lyndon and God "talk Latin to tell- "I've got this damned cold, so maybe ing Sam Rayburn that Stevenson had been a damn I better fool for running such a risk_ Mr. each other: stick around here and rest a while," I told him. Sam agreed. "Well, you might be OK by then., so we'll just We could all rest assured Lyndon wouldn't run MEMOMAL FILM CO John F. Kennedy leave it open," he said. "Bur now that Tve got you that kind of risk—hewasif tabour to let Bobby Ken- (with apersonal introduction by Bobby) on the phone, I might as well get your ideas on who nedy establish an independent power base inside his had been scheduled for the firstevening I should pick for Vice President" Administration. My brothc's only concern was how session of the Democratic National and when to squelch the campaign. Quire obvioual y,, Now, 1 knew damned well be had probably Convention, an arrangement that made up his mind several weeks back, but I decided it would be best ro wait until shortly before the con- could lead to trouble. We all knew to go along with his cat-and-mouse game. As a mat- vention in areAugmst, when it would be coo lace for this highly emotional film could easily trigger a draft the Kennedy people ter of fact, this would be a good chance to smoke to stage a comeback. for RFK as Vice President and that Lyndon might him out the way our daddy would do it. Having al- be forced into crushing the move before millions of ready assumed it was Hubert Humphrey, I tried my HAVING CAREFULLY PUSHED the Bobby problem relevisi on spectators . So Lyndon invited th eA nange- old reverse.elimMarion gambit. onto a back burner, Lyndon could devote himself to menu Committee ro the White House, looked at "1 kinds like Senator Pastore myself," I said. the much more important problem of an overall their proposed schedule and then casually told them "He made a damned good speeds this evening." strategy for the November electron. he preferred to have the Kennedy film shown later He actually snorted when I said chat "God- Some news columnists would argue that the in the week when he could be there himself. They darnmit, Sam Houston, what in the hell's gone voters didn't really love Lyndon—not the way they got the point right away. The film was rescheduled wrong with you? How could an Italian from a dinky did JFK. But I don't think a politician expects people for the evening afire the nomination. state like Rhode Island possibly help me?" ro fall all over him; all he wanes is their vote on That still wasn't enough. Suddenly, rumors "There's Adlai,- I said. "He's got the egghead Election Day, with or without hugs and kisses. And started floating around Washington hinting that vote good and solid." Lyndon could count on the votes. Some polls showed Jackie Kennedy would dramatically appear at the "Don't need him," him getting 77 percent in Maine, with 50 percent said Lyndon. "With Barry convention to "help Bobby." Whether true or nor, Goldwater running, I look Like a Harvard professor of former Nixon supporters saying they would desert Lyndon realized it was time to rake more direct to the eggheads." their Republican ranks and vote for I-BJ. action. Bobby Kennedy would have to be told he "Maybe you oughra get a Catholic like Gene The figures that gave him the most satisfaction wasn't going to be Vice President, and, if possible, McCarthy, He's awful strong in the Midwest." were the ones that showed he could win quire easily he should be persuaded to take himself out of the "He's not exactly what I'm looking for. There's without haring Bobby Kennedy as the eke prarados- race. On July 29, my brother asked Kennedy to meet hal eon:law.% something sort of stuck-up about Gene. You get the According to arty Quayle poll, none him at the White Houten 1 p.m. Lyndon sat behind impression that he's got a special pipeline to God

44 ion. Is-rags and that they talk only 1.-run to each other." ing the flesh" through the telephone wires' in Boston or that he failed to promise diplomatic "How about Mayor Wagner or Daley?" relations with the Vatican at the Baptist Convention. "With Goldwater running, I don't have to POOR OLD BARRY GOLDWATER was the best cam• With that kind of opposition, Lyndon could worry about the big-city vote." he said. paign manager Lyndon ever had. About a month have stayed home without a moment's worry. The "Well, hell. Lyndon." I said with a fake whine before the Republicans' mass suicide at the San Fran- only thing that posed even a mild threat—and it was in my voice, "that leaves only Hubert, and you sure cisco Caw Palace, my brother had told Marianne only temporary —was the Walter Jenkins affair. ain't picking him, are you?" Means that he considered Goldwater the toughest Jenkins had gone to a cocktail party given by That really got him. He didn't expect such a man to bear. and sheet-tuella believed him—quoted the Washington Bureau of N !WM 14 Magazine on negative attitude. "Now what the damn hell have him word for word in her newspaper column. When October 7. Leaving the party alone at about seven you got against Hubert?" he asked. I started to tease her about it later on, Marianne o'clock, he wandered over to the basement of the "Plenty. Lyndon," I said. "I've got plenty blushed a little but insisted that Lyndon was proba- YMCA. The newspapers later revealed that the Y against him. For God's sake, he's been fighting you bly sincere when be said ir. was a fairly notorious hangout for years, No one's bugged you more on civil rights. for homes ex uals, and Knowing how he really felt about Bury, I the District had a kind of and look ar the way he's always harping about the Peeping Tom operation still can't figure out how he managed CO keep a staked out in the basement and steam baths. oil people. He's a damned maverick. Lyndon." straight face when he told her that, even though Although the specific accusation was never Now that was a pretty extreme picture of poor I've seen him bluff his way into winning a big pot made public, Jenkins was arrested and later booked old Hubert, but it really drew my brother our of in a poke game with only a pair of deuces in his (along with an Army veteran) on a rather vague that damned secret shell of his. charge of "disorderly "Dumont. Sam Houston, you've conduct." Of course, Lyndon had ro face 1.7. got him all wrong," he said. "Huberis to the possible political conseq uences of a good man. I've made a goddamned the sudden scandal. Perhaps Christian out of him. He's gone along an instant public-opinion poll would offer some with me on a lot of things. And you can duets to what direction he should take, bet your bottom dollar heain't no Ken- and there was no one he trusted more nedy min. He also happens to be a in such matters than Oliver Quayle. belluva good campaigner." Working through most of the "He talks too much," I said. night, Quayle drafted "Don't worry about zhar."hesaid. the appropriate "I'll get Muriel to keep him short." questions and organized a nationwide telephone poll chat "So you've already made up your got under way the mind." I said, smiling to myself. next morning. By midafternoon. he hail SUIECIellt findings to indicate there had "Nor yet." he said, forgetting I been no visible negative reaction ro the wasn't some stupid reporter he wanted Jenkins case. LB J could resume his to string along. "I'm keeping it open a while. There's mote people I want to campaign without having to concern talk with." The moment he hung up, I himself—at least publicly—with the called my friend Cal. Pere Stalin; and problem of Walter Jenkins. told him ro put all the money he court/ bet that Hubert Humphrey would be Wrtar4 rise votes were finally tabu- Vice President. But Pete couldn't get lated. Lyndon had won by a margin of anyone ro bet him. They all knew he 13,951,320 votes, polling 43„126.218 was my best pal and that I had prob- against Goldwater's 27,174,698. It was ably given him some inside dope. the bat percentage (61 percent) and Meanwhile. Lyndon kept talking the largest number of votes that any to people right up to the last moment, President ever got. Proving that his holding Humphrey in suspense until coattails were exceptionally long, Lyn. the day before he was nominated. And don helped elect 48 new Democratic by "consulting" with everyone about representatives and three new senators. his choice for Vice President (storm of One of them was Bobby Kennedy. governors. mayors, senators and jani- Looking back on that joyous. trium- tors got personal phone calls), Lyndon phant night, it's almost impossible to flattered them into thinking their opin- believe that things would change so drastically in die next Pout years. ions really mattered, which is always gocalpolstics."You ought haveapointrhere,George. hand. I wonder if he ever apologized to that sweet, WITH THE INAUGURATION BEHIND HIM, I'll certainly keep it in mind, and I'm much obliged Lyn- trusting woman for pulling her leg that way. Even don resumed to you for telling me." Then George could go tell his man-killing schedule in the more curious than Miss Means' momentary lapse Oval Office. his friends—and the local newspaper—that the Pres- was rhe Republicans' apparent conviction that He channeled a flood of bills ident himself had called him to get his views on through the Barry war the toughest man to beat. Obviously, House and Senator Peewinkle as a potential running mate. Senate and received grudging acknowl- 'hey couldn't have anticipated the kind of campaign edgment for These accomplishments from most news- That's great stuff for people out in the boondocks. he would run: that be would ignore Social Security paper columnists and television commentators. and it works pretty well with a few city slickers from when talking before agroup of retired pensioners in places like New York and Cniatgo. No ones im• think my brother was subjected to greater and dif- St. Petersburg, Fla.; that he would condemn the TVA mune to the glamour of the White House. ferent pressures than most Presidents before him— as communism in Tennessee, which had prospered some of which he brought upon himself and others There were some people on his staff who from cheap electric power; that he would talk that were unjustly and cruelly thrust upon him. thought Lyndon used the phone coo often, that it against the anti-poverty program in West Virginia was some kind of strange addiction. They simply First of all, he was a Texan—and that alone and against reapportionment in a grossly under- was enough to curse him in the eyes of a vast num- didn't understand his technique. They cook all his represented city like Atlanta got to thinking that ber of snob reporters throughout the country. His "trifling" phonecalis at face value, not realizing that his speeches and travel plan., were being prepared sector, his manner, his country-boy candor, all the mere act of calling was often more important by the Democratic National Committee. I'm sur- worked against him. than anything he had to say. It was his way o f "press. prised he didn't propose compulsory birth control Whenever it could, the press deliberately tried continued

LOOK 1.1-4.0 45 to pi cruse him as an uncouth prairie-town bumpkin, press that he had never made any definite ohms to Whatever their final feelings may have been, with no digniry or *Geis' graces. And once in a while, campaign in the aforem ratio ned states. I do n' r know I think you would have to say that Bundy was a Lyndon seemed ro be perzetsely and defiantly court- whatever prompted him to say that, but it was cer- fairly loyal LBJ man. I, for one, can't say the same ing their disdain, as if to my, nHete's what I'm like tainly a mistake. It was, in a sense, an instils to their for McNamara. From the very beginning, Lyndon —just an ordinary joe from Johnson Ciry—and ifyou intelligence and a rather needless fib—especially relied to egress extent upon the expertise and advice don't like it, dust's your problem." since he didn't smile when he said ir. of McNamara, who seemed deeply committed to a So he playfully picked up a dog by its ears, lad That particular incident left him wide open firm and aggressive policy in Vietnam. McNamara offended millions of oversensitive dog-lovers. to charges of (edibility geperir, on a master that seemed to be a rough, pragmatic man who was able He pulled op his shirt and showed some report- wasrer worth lying about. He also annoyed the press ro view the war with the cool eye of a copmorch sys. ers the big scar from his gall bladder operation, no when he was car-and-mousing on his choice of a tems analyst. He made several trips to the battle- doubt distressing a lot of squeamish old ladies. vice presidential running mare in 1964. Having front, flanked by his top aides, and on the basis ofhis He went swimming in the nude in the White already decided on Hubert Humphrey. ha asked personal oissmarions and careful technical calcula- House pool, causing great concern among some both Hubert and Sen. Thomas Dodd to fly back tions, he made some convincing arguments for church groups. from the convention, evidently wishing to give continued escalation of our military effort. He raced along a mammy road at 90 miles an the impression that Dodd was also seriously being Adlai Stevenson once criticized McNamara for hour. sipping hear from a can and scaring hell our considered. Some of the reporters hurriedly filed opposing the so-called "U Thant initiative with of some women reporters in the back seat of his stories on Dodd's background and even speculated Hanoi" in 1964. He told Eric Sevareid that Lincoln Continental sedan. on why LBJ might choose him, They probably felt McNamara "flatly opposed the attempt. He (Mc. Lyndon must have realized that each of these Like fools when they found our it was just I ploy Namarsj said the South Viemamese government incidents would get a negerive public reaction. Any- and naturally resented my brother for leading them would have to be informed and that this would one with his keen sensitivity to popular attitudes up a blind alley. have a demonetizing effect on them; that govern. would know Therefore, I'm convinced that each The Kennel:Lys, on the other hand, have all en- Meat was shaky enough, as it ." episode was a conscious or subconscious acs of de- joyed unusually friendly cream:eat by many of the I think that was a logical assumption on Mc. fiance, a compulsive strain against the right disci- same journalists who bugged LBJ. The news media leamara's parr: Thant's plan would certainly de- pline that is constantly demanded of& President. He have always participated in the Kennedy mystique. moralize Saigon. But then McNamara tried to deny also wanted to show he was nor ashamed ro be him- sometimes to their own chagrin. For years, they he had said it. And that's precisely why I developed self However, the repeated and widespread pub- assiduously pictured Jackie Kennedy as the very my doubts about him and subsequently wrote a long licity given to each of these events simply proves essence of womanhood—the perfect loyal and regal memorandum to rny brach es expressing [hosed oubts. that the news media were all too ready to emphasize presidential wife, then the tragic, still perfect, widow Quite obviously, there were two McNarnaras even the most trifling false step by LBJ. —but when she suddenly married a rich old Greek —a hawk and a dove. It was fairly common knowl- Yet in all fairness to the press, I must frankly who wears funny dark glasses and pants baggier edge amend Washington that when he was around say that Lyndon himself did a great deal to irritate than Lyndon's, some of the press did a complete certain liberals, his Kennedy friends, McNamara them. He was often testy and petulant when there flip-flop. She's probably the sane person she has would reveal all sorts of doubts about our course in was no mason to be Aside from his quick-tempered always been, a very attractive, stylish woman; but Vietnam; but when he talked to Lyndon, he was the reactions to certain piddling entrees tharhe should our news media can't bear it when one of their gong ho advocate of increased military pressure, have ignored or simply joked about, my brother's heroines or heroes quite humanly fails to conform always ready to prove his paint with impressive main problem with the press was the so•ntled to their mystical "image." charts and figures. He wanted it bath ways. He "credibility pp.—these were several things he did— wanted rn be an agonized liberal end a rough prag- some of Willa were purely capricious—char caused matist at the same time. White House cortespoadats ro regard him with a If he really felt this country was on the wrong certain degree of suspicion: he often hinted the course, he wee Obviously deceiving his President and opposire from what he meant, omitted important doing a great disservice to all of us. But if he was elements of some teport, made outright denials of Of Fulbright, Lyndon actually sincere in his advice to Lyndon, he had no things that were obviously true, avoided direcr an- business expressing COntraryvi eve 5 to dovish liberals swers tosimple straightforward questions, needless- said,"1-1e11, in order to marry favo r with the Kenn ed ys. Although ly kept the press guessing about certain things he Lyndon took no immediate action on my memo planned to do. waited until the last minute to tell he can't even park a castigating McNamara for his wish y. wash y, double- diem where he was going and often neared re- bicycle: dealing attitude and his covert loyalty ro Bobby porters as if they were "she enemy." Kennedy, I am sure my brother had increasing He was nor, however, unique in this respect. Y DROTHER NOT ONLY inherited a doubts about him. None of us were a bit unhappy Every President we have ever had, with no excep- going war from Kennedy but he when Lyndon finally greased his path to the presi- tion, has done the same things. Sometimes our na- also inherited Kennedy's princi• dency of the World Bank. donel security has required than to make evasive pal advisers—Dean Rusk, Perhaps history will show that Bundy, Mc- statements or tell outright lies. And sensitive demes- McGeorge Bundy and Robert Namara and Rusk were misraken in their advice to ne issues have also required oblique statements. McNamara—all of whom sup. Lyndon, and Gen. William C. Westmoreland and What the press clearly resented were Lyndon's ported the domino theory and therefore advoomed a Geri Creighton W. Abrams underestimatd the en- occasional lapses on matters of ao consequence M.strong and continuing effort against the Vietcong. emy's will and capacity to fight. But certainly no whatsoever. Back in 1966, for example, be had obvi- From what I heard during numerous breakfast man can say that Lyndon acted arbitrarily, that he ously planned to make certain campaign appear- and dinner conversations with Lyndon and Lady was shooting from the hip like a sheriff. He ances for candidates in California, New York and Bird, I gathered that McGeorge Bundy had coo• not only consulted at great length with his inherited perhaps Illinois. The press knew the Secret Service siderable influence in shaping our policy in Vietnam Kennedy brain trusters. he also sought the outside had been d i sparched to check security measures, and and the Dominican Republic. He was also one of counsel of people like Dean Acheson, Clark Clif- local officials had been informed of his probable the Administrations principal spokesmen for char ford and Abe Forms. Later on, he bad the advice of arrival rime. But when Lyndon got bathc from an ex. policy. Eventually, Lyndon and his -favoricehawk" a brilliant professor From MIT. Walt Rostov,. blazons conference with the South Viernamme had a slight falling out. though not with respect to Believing that his policies would prevent even leaders in the Fat Ease, he decided not ro go through our stand on Vietnam. Some people say Bundy was greater casualties ar some furore date, he was natu- with the campaign schedule. pushing too hard to become Secretary of Stare, but rally hurt and angered by chose who called him a Then, rather than simply saying he was too I imagine it was something more personal than than. bloody warmonger. It wan some comfort to know tired or was getting a cold or Asiatic flu (any such Perhaps, as my Aunt Jessie would say, he was letting Char the public-opinion palls showed heavy majori- excuse would have been acceptable), he cold the his britches ride too high. ries in favor of stopping the COtnentithri now, but continued on page 51

46 Lock 11.11.0. the mass demo:amnions and certain televised Sen- casionally reminded people that Harry Truman had came to mind. It seldom did anygood. His mood re- ate hearings were bound to affect bins- called Fulbrighr "en overeducated sonotab itch." mained somberand uncommunicative. Lyndon natu- His =the family—even I—was exposed to the My brother was never too impressed with Ful- rally couldn't permit himself to show any sign of same flak. Several times. as I was sitting in a restau- bright, probably because he knew him too well and weakness or doubt about Vietnam. He had to be rant or bar minding my own business, someone realized he was naive and inept in the day.to-day outwardly confident, firm and unruffled by the mix. would come up to me and make horrible accusations maneuvering inside the Senate ("Hell, he can't even rum of good and bad news from the front. about my brother. Two or three of them had obvi- park a bicycle"). Buc I'm afraid he was sometimes ously stoked their courage with liquor. "Watch me overly impressed with certain other people who had tell char sonoftb itch off," they would say to a wife or more formal education than he had. girl friend. "I don't give a damn who he is—Presi- Bright, scholarly men like McNamara, Bundy dent's brother or no President's brother." and Forms had a lot of influence on his thinking I was publicly insulted at Williams College by because he regarded them as part of an intellectual Lyndon talked to Pat a grandstanding member of the faculty, whose elite. There was a hint of awe in his attitude hatred of my brother seemed pathological- It was a toward them. He knew he was basically as smart Nugent—a few very tense and embarrassing moment for me and as they were—smarter in some respects—btu their just a bit frightening. When supposedly manure way of talking and their whole educational back- days later, Pat people get that impassioned and virulent, you can ground—Harvard, Yale and all chat—somehow got never tell what may happen. to him more than it should. He had known plenty of volunteered for Vietnam Two or three days later, I mentioned the inci- bookioving ignoramuses with Phi Bens Kappa keys LTHOUGH THE 1968 elections Were sev- dent ro Lyndon, not to point our any personal dan- from fancy colleges, had seen them pull damn-fool eral months away and Lyndon had nor vet gers but merely to let him know about the intensity boners on the s im plest matters, yet he could suddenly announced his plans, I was given office of feelings aroused by the war. "Stay away from be self-conscious about his own limited schooling at space at the Democratic National those meetings,- he told me. You can't tell what a small Texas college. Committee and asked to serve as an kind of nuts are floating around these days." By March, 1968, we were bogged down in informal liaison man between the "It wasn't as bail as you think," I said. "He was what seemed like an endless war. The Bundy. committee and Lyndon. Some of the regular staff just blowing off steam. He's probably the meekest McNamara.Rusk-Rostow policies of semi-escala. probably felt I was a sort of spy or hatcher man. Milquetoast in town... tion had not worked. Lyndon had been caught in Others may have assumed my brother was just find- They can be the most dangerous ones. You limbo between the totally conflicting views of the ing something for me to do. My attitude was that I can't be too careful about rhose quiet little guys. doves and hawks. He didn't want to ruck tail and ought to operate as much as possible in the back- They often carry the deepest grudges—against evecy- run, but he still resisted the advice of some of his ground, because I felt that if I stayed sway from the body. So don't go taking any chances. After all. generals who wanted to bomb Haiphong and esca- Democratic Committee, people could come and tell you're my brother, and that alone might be enough late the bombing of Hanoi. me things they wouldn't tell me there at the office. to make some crazy bastard go off his rocker." I frankly think his biggest mistake was al- People could come to me very privately and air I couldn't tell to what extent, if any, Lyndon lowing himself to be caught in this nowhere posi- whatever gripes they had without going through the worried about being assassinated, but I must frankly tion. He should have gone with the hawks for an various echelons of Marvin Watson and Jim Rowe say I worried about it occasionally. In an atmosphere outright victory or he should have pulled our. and the campaign staff, or through John Criswell of hatted and violence, anything can trigger a sick Whenever or however I mild. I would con. ac the National Committee. mind, and there was certainly plenty of barred sim- duet my own little public-opinion polls among I dunk Lyndon realized that in me he had mering near the surface during my brother's last taxi drivers, waiters. clerks, insurance adjusters, Goy - someone who had no reason to hide anything. Some three years in the Presidency. Rabid feelings could comment...others, tailors, bartenders, shoeshine boys of his aides felt it was best non to broach any an. easily influence at least one lunatic, one man out of and a few personal friends. The results weren't very pleasant subjects for feat that Lyndon would blow 200 million. That's all it would take. Another Lee encouraging. One bartender expressed a view that I up. My concern was to give it CO him straight and to Harvey Oswald nursing who knows what kind of heard from many other people. "I'm bored with this relay, if possible, any feelings that other people had grudges against the world at large, some small, in- war," he said. "I don't even read about it any more. on their minds—good or bad. There were some ex- significant nobody hungering for the instant promi- We keep fighting over and over again for the same ceptions—a number of gripes against Lyndon him- nence of a presidential assassination. goddamned little villages. We force them out one self that I kept under my hat because they were the One also had to consider the violent mood in day, and the near night the VC are back again. What kind of criticisms he couldn't do anything about. Washington itself. Aside from the periodic inva- the hell kind of war is thee" They would merely irritate him—perhaps make him sions of peace groups who came to picker the White Then, of course, there were people who were mad as hell—without serving any useful purpose. House, the ever-increasing racial conflicts added disgusted by our inability to bear a "dinky little old This was particularly true after the Ter offensive in an atmosphere of explosive tension. More than country nobody ever beard about.- Late January and early February, whets all the Mon- once. when the subject came up at breakfast or dim And there were those who felt we had no day morning quarterbacks in America came forth ner, Lyndon would wearily nod his head and look business being there, who called it an immoral, with the most severe criticism we had ever gotten. away with a baffled expression in his eyes. imperialistic venture. The gloom around the White House was so Some of the anti-Vietnam critics showed the Knowing how depressed he felt about the thick, you could slice it with a knife. Gen. Earle G. same kind of irresponsibility when they insisted on growing discontent among the millions who fully Wheeler, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was calling it "Lyndon Johnson's war.- It was con- supported him back in 1965, I didn't want to tell sent to Saigon to confer at great length with Gen- veniently forgotten, certainly de-emphasized, that Lyndon the remarks I heard in my informal surveys. eral Westmoreland, and he came back with a re- he was continuing a policy set by Kennedy and rely- Actually, I didn't have to—he knew what they were. quest for 200,000 more troops, in addition to the ing on the advice of the same experts Kennedy had As a master politician with long experience in feel- 525,000 aheady authorized. To determine how chosen—Rusk, Bundy and McNamara_ ing the public pulse, he obviously knew that neither Wheeler's new requirement should be met, Lyndon As everyone knows. Sen. J. William Ful- friend nor foe was satisfied with the bogged-down appointed a special task force headed by Clark bright accused Lyndon of going far beyond the in- situation in Vietnam. But public opinion didn't Clifford, who had been designated to succeed tended scope of the Tonkin Gulf resolution, and bother him half as much as the casualty reports MmNamara. Other members of the group were Sec- his Senate Foreign Relations Committee was used from the battlefield. retary of State Dean Rusk, Secretary of the Treasury as a convenient platform for continuous public Sitting clown to breakfast with him and Lady Henry Fowler, Under Secretary of State Nicholas assaults against our Vietnam policy. To say that Bird, I could always tell what kind of news had Kattenbach, Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul my brother was annoyed with the Arkansas Sena- come from Vietnam. Pretending riot to know he had Niece, General Wheeler, Gen. Maxwell Taylor, CIA tor (he was called "Helfbright" around the White had another restless, worried night, I would try CO Director Richard Helms and Walt Rogow. House) would be a gross understarement. He oc- make light conversation about any silly thing that Though they were instructed simply to devise continued

LOCK 11.1,29 51 a mom for training and deploying the additional "Them is no question but what we suffered ■ every light in the White House to celebrate the 200,000 troops, their frank, vigorous discussions in- defeat in New Hampshire, and I do not think there occasion. Had Lyndon seen his home shining in a evitably touched upon the fundamental question of is really anyone to place the blame on. The only blaze of glory with that shameful waste of elec.. the used for this substantial increase. Having probed thing that could have been salvaged was the w•ay tricky, he would have blown his stack. I'm sorry I all the grim aspects of the situation. Clifford wrote the delegates were chosen. Ir appeared that too many didn't tale a picture of it. Had he been disposed to later, . . after these exhausting days, 1 was con- Johnson men wanted to get their foot in the door. poke fun at himself, it would have made a nice vinced that the military course we were pursuing but you cad: really hold anything against them for Christmas card. was nor only endless, but hopeless...." wanting to be MO percent for Johnson. Therefore. Lyndon had heard more optimistic views horn I think New Hampshire served us well, inasmuch ON 'MR AFTERNOON OF MAROS 31, 1968, I rode Rusk, McNamara, Rosrow and some of his generals. as we can profit by the mistakes that were made. over to Baltimore in a White House limousine to but now he was beginning to feel the sharp cutting "Bobby, of course, sent his men up to help meet with some Democrats who wanted me to dis- edge of Clifford's mind. With the McCarthy people McCarthy and probably helped finance the cam- cuss my brother's plans for the approaching cam- hacking away at him from all directions, the hawks paign. McCarthy's people feel they won it without paign. Since Lyndon was scheduled to make a na- demanding more win] bombing, the casualty fig- Bobby and don't want to give up any credit for what tionwide address on Vietnam that evening. I wanted ures mounting day by day, the bad news begot from they did. Bobby has the image of an opportunist, and to eat early so that we might all sec and hear the his old and trusted friend (who had no ax to grind) from here on our will only solidify that image speech. The main body of chat speech was a surprise was all the more depressing. Lyndon's eyes were throughout the Nation. One of the dangers is that in in itself. First of all, he set a ceding of 549,000 almost always bloodshot now, his face drawn and the long run it will bolster McCarthy's image con- American troops in Vietnam. Wheeler's request for haggard. Nothing seemed ro be going his way. siderably when Bobby tries to rake his delegates an additional 200,000 men was flatly rejected. Sec- away from him. Congressman Resnick is waiting ondly, we would accelerate our training and equip. DURING A V1SIT to Puerto Rico, Lyndon managed with a letter challenging Kennedy to a debate on merit of the South Vietnamese forces so that they to gee in a few rounds of golf with his first soroin. Vietnam the minute Bobby makes his decision, could take over major combat responsibilities pre- law, Pat Nugent. I don't know precisely what they which will be ma hoer than 9C.Vi weed. I think they viously assumed by us. Third—speaking directly to talked about as they strolled across the course at the have bitten off more than they can chew...." Hanoi—Lyndon said we would greatly restrict our air base, yet its interesting to note that a few days My prediction in the memo was right on the bombing of the North as an inducement to an im- lacer, Par Nugent volunteered for an immediate as- button. Four nays after McCarthy's victory, Bobby mediate commencement of peace negotiations. He signment in Vietnam. I'm nor saying that LBJ pres• made a bashful admission of his urge to be Presi- had been strongly influenced by Clark Clifford's sured the boy—or that he pressured Captain Robb. dent Poor old Gene was cheated our of his moment serious misgivings about the war. Clifford's tough his ocher son-in-law, who also went to Viemun —but of triumph. Some of the liberal columnists started skepticism had finally undermined the faltering in. certainly remember telling Lyndon that it was calling Bobby ■ ruthless opportunist. and Mc. and-our optimism of Robert McNamara politically embarrassing to have them both several Carthy's idealistic kids called him every dirty name If Lyndon had gotten rid of McNamara in thousand mica away from the fighting while the they could think of. 1963, replacing him with a man like Clifford, the sons-in•law of other people were getting shot at might have been ended by 1966 or every day. Now if Lynda had married that actor early 1967—and my brother would have been un- named Hamilton (neither Lyndon nor I could ever beatable in 1968. remember his first name), the situation would have My friends in Baltimore clearly hadn't expected gotten rather complicated. He had a special defer- this sodden change in our Vietnam policy, and they ment to support his destitute mother, who would calf Lyndon had gotten most certainly didn't expect the clincher at the end: have had a terribly hard time keeping that huge 'I shall not seek, and I will not accept. the Hollywood mansion without his help. I really door rid of McNamara in 1965, nomination of my parry for another term as your know how my brother nould have handled a touchy the Vietnam war might President.. . ' matter like that. Well, there it was. He had given up politics have ended by1966." for peace. There were tears in my eyes when I heard ASIDE FROM MESE MINOR distractions, Lyndon it—and a smile on my lips, I was so relieved to know Chad ro concern himself with Bobby's bid for Presi- FRANKLY HAD A grudging admiration for Bobby. that he wouldn't have to put up with all the abuse dent. Lyndon was not anxious to buck the Kennedy He had always known that politics was a dirty, he was bound to get during a long campaign, with machine head on. This was especially true during ugly game, and he played it according to the thousands of demonstrators insulting him, cursing the early weeks of 1968, before Bobby announced rules. His instincts cold himhehad toacrquickly him, calling him a warmonger and a murderer. his candidacy. Lester Hyman, the Massachusetts to stop the McCarthy boom, no matter how un- Some Maryland Democrats who were watch- stare chairman, wanted Lyndon to run in the pri- I ethical or ruthless he might appear ro the ama- ing the speech with me couldn't believe he had mary or to allow someone to stand in for him. teurs. As much as I disliked him, I had to admit he withdrawn. "Does he really mean it?" one of them "Otherwise," he told me,"McCarthy will walk away was a teal pro—, tough operator who could play asked mc. "I mean irres-ocably?" with all the delegates." ball with Mayor Daley and still somehow convince "You heard what he said," ' I answered. ''Neither "Well, he can't enter the Massachusetts pri- a few naive journalists that he was a saint. In his re- seek nor accept. That sounds pretty definite to me." mary," I said. "Thor will only antagonize the Ken- cent book, Jack Newfield quotes his hero (RFK) as "Did you know it was coming?" someone else nedy people. In order to oppose McCarthy. my saying: "Gene just isn't a nice person. In 1964, he asked, staring at me suspiciously. brother would have to fight him on the Vietnam was pulling all sorts of strings trying to get the Vice- "Didn't have the slightest inkling," I said. issue. And since Bobby now agrees with Gene, he Presidential nomination. Hubert Humphrey had "You don't think I would drive to Balti- would also have to attack Bobby—in his own State." been his friend for twenty years, and he was trying more to waste your rime and my own if I knew he Kennedy's decision to run was certainly no sur- to screw Hubert. At the sometime, Bob McNamara was pulling out To tell you the God's truth, I don't prise tome. Just after the Tee offensive, I told Lyndon twice turned down the Vice Presidency because he think he decided this rill the very last minute. He's that Bobby would be his chief opponent. -Bobby felt I should get it. This is the difference between been thinking about it—for some time probably— wants Gene to find out how cold the water is before loyalty and egotism." That's what always amazed but I doubt that he'd made a hard -fast decision until he takes a plunge," I said. But in spite of the bad me about Bobby: he could be so self-righteous obou r this evening_" news from Vietnam. Lyndon didn't think that either other people's morals. McCarthy or Kennedy were serious threats. The THS NM DAY, Lyndon insisted that I accompany New Hampshire primary election was a real shock, ONE FRIDAY. LYNDON AND Lady Bird left to him to Chicago, where he WAS scheduled to make a and I saw no point in denying it. As the final results spend the weekend at the ranch, and I had the peni- luncheon speech at the annual convention of the scarred flashing across the TV screen, I dictated the tentiary all to myself. Zephyr fixed us &Spectacular NationalAssociationolBroadcasten.Lraningtoward following memorandum: meal, and I asked one of the servants to turn on me as the plane skimmed over the capital, Lyndon

52 Inca

asked, "What sho uld I tell these b roadces ting [EMI- draw.from the rate for the Democratic nomination. feel. With this thought in mind, I called Warren tires? I haven't decided what to talk about." "I won't bother answering that grandstand- Spannaus, the stare chairman of Minnesota, and "This being the first of April," I said, "I think ing link runt," he told one of his aides. "From asked him to advise Hubert to start a "demand its pretty obvious what you should tell them." now on, I shall refuse to answer or comment on movement" for LBJ. "What do you mean?" any telegram that is given to the press before it "I'm sure it won't change my brother's mind," 'Just cell them "APRIL FOOL! I was only gets to me. And that's a standing order." I said. "He's undoubtedly determined to step aside. joking last night. I'm going to run for President, In that same "ordering mood." he snapped a But I think it would make him feel better to know after all.' Then you turn around and walk off the fetv instructions to people at the air base shortly that thousands of Americans were aftwaruli.vg that platform without saying another word, said. " That after our arrival, and I suddenly noticed they he run again, and it can't hurt Humphrey one way will really set them an their ears." weren't responding with their customary alertness or another, hell roll be Vice President if (by some He laughed, of course. And as the idea caught and precision. There was a certain drag in their miracle) the 'demand movement works—or, what hold, we both starred laughing and nudging each runner that made me feel they were already regard- is far more probable, he'll get all the Johnson sup- other. "Wouldn't that be a bitch?" he said, raring ing my brother as a lame duck President. port for making a generous and loyal gesture." He back in his seat with a huge guffaw. "April Fool! It pained me to realize that he htrnself was still asked if Lyndon was aware of my ides, and I said, I can just see their mouths hanging open." unaware o f their changed miriade- He was no longer "Of course not! He would chew my ass if he knew 'You ought to do it," I Aid. ''You really the total boss. To them, he was just another leader I was promoting something like this. But I'm doing ahould." on his way our. Knowing how difficult it would be it anyway. It's not the first time I've acted without Later on, as he was being intro- Isis permission." Spannaus thought it was a duced, Lyndon looked in my direction fine idea and promised ro all Humphrey and gave me a sly wink, a big grin immediately. Hubert never made a move to momentarily crossing his face For a follow my suggestion. Perhaps he thought fleeting moment I actually expected it would queer his chances for the nomina. him to do what I'd suggested. I'm sorry than, or that Lyndon would get angry at he didn't. That would have been a great him. Whatever the reason, my little plan gag and a perfect occasion for it. . died on the vine. Several weeks before they went to Tmoucait I WOULD HAVE preferred the Mexico—prior to Lyndon's withdratetl- April Fool ploy, I thought his speech the Humphreys had come to dinner at the was forceful and effective, much more White House. Hubert seemed a bit nervous natural than the bland, sterile crap his that evening, Iess talkative than usual. Per- speech writers generally produced. He haps he was worried about the poor show- made an even more forceful impromptu ing we had made in the Midwest polls, no talk to a few reporters who came back doubt expecting my brother to make a to Washington with us. Because of the 17; harsh comment about it. (Although he had suddenness of our trip, the arrange. 1 not announced his and idacy for reelection, meets for the press corps were inade- Lyndon's name had been included in the quate, and some of thern had to sit in polls—and McCarthy was doing better than the presidential serrion. Furthermore, expected.; Sure enough, Lyndon did bring the pros bus had broken down on the up the opinion polls, but in a roundabout way to the airport, causing a long delay way. As we were having our dessert, he tut put Lyndon in a grouchy mood. looked at me with a mock-serious scowl. Surrounded by nine or ten torte- He said he had been meaning ro ask me apoodents, he let loose with a scorch. about thesituation in theMidwest. I'd given ing, Si! 01.3t iC let-ture that stunned them, him the idea that it was all tied up for him, some of them, getting tears in their he said, but the polls did nor seem to bear eyes--either in anger r shame. "Well. dillt CUL -Now, j US I & moment.' I smiled to you fellows won't have me to pick on say, knowing damned well he was really any more," he began, referring to his digging at Hubert—that I was a mere foil. surprise withdrawal from the presi- The old LBJ technique: using me to get at dential race. "You can find someone someone else. else to flog and insult. And I want to "Now don't you go making excuses," tell you here and now that this damned said Lyndon, shooting a glance at poor old you've been harping Hubert. He went on to tell me that Span- about is something you've all created yourselves...." for a proud man like Lyndon to accept the lesser naus and others had promised towage a b ig cam Feign It was a rough, bitter scolding that made me status of a lame duck, I went up to my room and out there and that he had expected much better re- squirm as if I were one of them. Knowing how he bawled like a little kid who has just found out his sults. By now, there were EMS in Hubert's eyes, and felt abouttnany of the political reporters, I shouldn't fisher can't lick everybody on the block. his lips were trembling a little. He knew—and so did have been coo surprised, bur l must frankly confess his wife Muriel--chat my brother was actually nee- I was. When I noticed the grim expressions all THE PERSON most- LIKELY to benefit from the dling ides for failing to influence the Midwestern around me, the tightened lips and hard-set eyes, I sudden rum of events was, of course, Hubert Hum. polls by a larger margin for LBJ. After all, Minne- wondered whether he should have allowed himself phrey. Although Lyndon was "officially neutral." sota was his home state, and a Vice President is sup- to vent his long•simmeting tesentment. In retro- we all knew he would throw his weight behind his posed to pull some weight, at least in his own region. spect, I imagine he would have wanted CO apologize loyal Vice President when it became necessary. The Realising that Lyndon might go on in that embar- to them. But that's not his way. . President always controls the machinery of his own rassing vein for another half hour, I decided to cur He was still in a sullen frame of mind when party, unless he's politically naive or indifferent, him short by switching the subject. he was infomaed that Bobby Kennedy had sent and you certainly couldn't say that about Lyndon. Just after dinner, Lyndon excused himself to him a telegram (released CO the press, by chc way, In view of his many obligations to LB). I felt attend to some personal correspondence in his room, before it was received at the White House) asking that Hubert should make some outward gesture and he asked me to accompany him. (Lady Bird for an immediate appointment and expressing his of loyalty to my brother, something dramatic that stayed behind to chat with Muriel and Hubert.) "admiration" of LyndonJohnson's decision to with. would ease the depression Lyndon would inevitably When we got up to his room, I realized that .Liinyndunedn

LOC= II.14.0 53 merely wanted to ger a massage before going to bed. had turned off the sound ro dictate a memo to my to go to Chicago. especially after we saw the tele. "I thought we might calk s little while I'm getting secretary on the ball outcome. Then I saw the sud- vised scenes of angry mobs milling in the streets my rubdown," he said. den frenzy on the screen, the look of horror on around the major hotels. Mayor Daley had sur- "If you're thinking about Rabat," I said, "I everyone's face. I turned on the sound and heard that rounded the convention hell with barbed wire, and want you co know I felt sorry for him, Lyndon. You Bobby Kennedy had been shot. he had also planned for Lyndon to by into the sta- were pretty hard on him." I was driven ro the White House immediately. dium compound by helicopter—but such security "Hubert can rake it," he said, stretching him- There were no lights on in the family Tamers. so measures weren't reassuring enough for Me. One self out on a rubbing table. I assumed Lyndon was sail unaware of whir bad quiet little maniac sifting through that maze per- "I know he can—but it would be easier for hint happened. I was correct in that assumprion: he had haps sneaking a badge from one of the delegates, if Muriel weren't listening." I said. "As a matter of gone to bed an hour before it happened. When he could end my brother's life in a split second. art. I've been wanting to discuss some strategy with was finally awakened, he stared at roe with total But aside from my natural concern for his him, but not while she's with /Ian." disbelief in Ins eyes, "Oh„ my God he said. "Nor safety, I had a vague fear that he might decide to -Call him in here," he said. "Lady Bird can stay again. Don't cell me it's happened all over again." let the convention nominate him if Hubert should with Muriel." The next few hours were a kind of controlled suddenly fairer. In that strange year of political up- When Humphrey came into the room a few bedlam. Lyndon stood in the tearer of all the fren- heaval, nothing would surprise me any more. I was minutes later, _Lyndon appeared ro be dozing as zied activity, his mouth set tight, his eyes clouded especially fearful of such a development when a Naval petty officer massaged his bank, with concern. "We've got to protect. Ted Keened y, " heard Governor Connally hinting that he might " I 've been talking about the campaign with the he said to Oneof his aides. "That family seems to be nominate LBJ. He was. of course, merely "keeping President," I said to Hubert, "and I've got a few cursed. This may be a plot or just another madman Hubert honest" on the Vietnam question: bur in ideas he thought you might wane to hear." like Oswald, but I'm not taking any chances. I want the hest and emotion of a Democratic convention, Glancing untetrainly at Lyndon, who seemed the Secret Service to provide protection for every anything can get out of hand. I shuddered at the half-asleep, Hubert said, "I'd be glad to hear any candidate—including Teddy Kennedy." notion of Lyndon's waging a difficult, exhausting thing you have to say.- "But he's not a candidate," someone reminded and dangerous campaign and then finally losing. Recalling the days when he had fought my him. What could be more humiliating than losing to brother on civil rights and certain other legislation, "Thar doesn't make any difference," he said. Richard Milhous Nixon? I expressed the convictton that he had a natural -in" "I want him protected anyway," With the tension beginning to build at with all the liberal elements of the Democratic "The laws may not permit it, Mt. President. Chicago, there were certain discomforting signs of parry, that they owed him a special allegiance. They're pretty specific about such-- an incipient revolt that could easily lead Lyndon to "Now, we're expecting Bobby Kennedy to get in "I don't care what the law says? I'm going to drastic action. Mayor Daley, whom the Kennedys this race right wan," I said. "And he's going to be have hint protected ill have to [Salle a special execu- had always courted, let it be known that he wanted telying on .support from these very same people. But tive order to do it. So you call the Secret Service Teddy to run. And Senator McCarthy offered to go you've got a More natural right ro tt—tratept that right away.- along. I kept calling our people at the ranch and you haven't exploited it enough. You've let some As usually happens in such cues, he got his kept hearing their reassurances that Criswell and of those damned fury-brained liberals put you on way without any undue Fuss from the legal people. Rep. Carl Albert, the permanent chairman of the the defensive. Bur you can't let them. You've got convention, had everything under control. With to call in these liberal friends of yours and ger them TRH DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN for the nomination their expert hands on the sound system controls, in line—cell them the flail of life. You're going to was resumed under a cloud of unease and despair- they could cut off any rambunctious rebels from the have to convince them you're still as liberal as they The assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Kennedy-McCarthy suites. The so-called -Teddy are—wirhear pussyfooting on Vietnam. You can't Luther King and the President's sudden withdrawal threat," which was blown up to major proportions abandon Lyndon Johnson an that issue. You've had unsettled the parry. by TV, never materialized. Early this year, Kennedy got to back him and still prove you're liberal...." So long as hestuck with Johasoa OD the crucial cold a Look reporter that he never considered run- Humphrey kept glancing now and then at Vietnam issue, Humphrey had the nomination nine. If that were so, why did he bother to set up a Lyndon, who simply went on pretending he was locked up before the convenrion scarred. Any at- special command post under the skillful manage- asleep. Bur from my angle of vision, I could see a tempt by him to back away from our commitments merit of his brother-in-law Steve Smith? I seriously flickering smile on has lips. in Southeast Asia would automatically work against doubt that they were merely resting their machine "You might point this out.- I continued. "You firm. We all knew he was being tempted, but never- for 1972. But they were practical enough to see might point our that you would be President if my theless felt be would ultimately stay with LBJ. He that Lyndon's people had firm control of every- brother should die. that they would have a proven knew, as did all the news media, that my brother still thing, that they had enough votes ro give Humphrey liberal in the White House...." controlled the parry machinery and that he was nor the nomination on the first ballot. went on in that vein for about a half hour, about to accept the adoption of an anti-Vietnam Although he hated to miss the convention and putting it as strongly as I could, without a single platform or the nomination of a candidate who op- his birthday parry, Lyndon didn't go ro Chicago. He interruption from Lyndon. If f had said anything he posed his views. John Criswell would be handling tried to mask his feelings, but I knew how tuner he didn't Wee, I'm sure he would have broken in with the sound apparatus that's always to crucial in a fair inside. He had hoped to make a graceful, tri- a gruff order for us ro leave the room. "You two are convention. lie could rum on or turn off the micro- umphant exit from public life—he had certainly ruining my rest," he'd say. "Go talk somewhere phones on the door, effectively squelching any earned it—but we all knew that wouldn't be pos- else.' ' His silence was approval of what I was saying, moves by vocal dissiden to disrupt the proceedings. sible in the hostile atmosphere that hung over and Humphrey undoubtedly knew it. He was Still undecided as to whether he would appear Chicago. There were a lot of die-bard LBJ foes in- doubly certain when Lyndon mumbled, "Good It the Stock Yard Inn for the big birthday parry side the convention hell—and a certain meanness night, Hubert—see you, Sam," as we left the room. Mayor Daley bad planned for him, Lyndon Sew in the rrowda never seen before. I was glad my I don't know what steps Humphrey cook to down to Texas to follow decor:mnion activities on brother stayed home. win back the support of his former liberal allies, but television. "I'm not going to let chose smart-alecks I imagine it was easier for him after Lyndon bowed take over chat convention," be said, as we were near- LYNDON HAS BEEN VERY QUIET during what the Out of the race on March 31, even though he had to ing the air hue at Austin. "I haven't worked all my newspapers call his "exile" at the ranch. Wishing co maintain an LW wane. on Vietnam. Once in a while. life just to have my own party repudiate me at the give his successor a fair chance to launch Iris nwn he would falter, and my brother would have to let Isst minute." There had been some talk of his storm- programs, he has wisely refrained from any public him know—directly or indirectly--drat he was un- ing the convection (with Harry Truman at his side) comments on the Nixon Administration. But in the happy with such shilly-shallying. if things should surf to break apart, a sort of melts- early parr of 1970, I would expect my brother dramatic last wand by LBJ supporters. I was frankly Lyndon to come out of hibernation with a number I HAD BEEN we. curt' the returns from the Cali- opposed to any such action, of strong statements an domestic and foreign af• fornia primary on television in my hotel suite, but No one in the Johnson family wanted Lyndon faits. We haven't heard the last of LBJ. END

54 Loot tataar