With the Texas primary upon us what better time to review the Robert Caro LBJ book “Means of Ascent”. Caro has written a series of LBJ books, and is supposedly working on the fourth and final installment dealing with the LBJ presidency. This book deals with a short period in LBJ’s career, but focuses on the single most important event in his life to that point, the 1948 Senate election which Johnson managed to “win” over the hugely popular ex-Governor of Texas Coke Stevenson. Caro’s depiction of these events has been criticized heavily by Johnson partisans (John Connally especially) but from my point of view they appear very well researched. The systemic rigging that occurred in many sections of Texas is undeniable, and a good argument is made that Johnson was out rigged in his first run for Senate in 1941. A very interesting portion deals with the brilliant legal stategy developed by Abe Fortas (later named by Johnson to the Supreme Court) as Johnson appeared to be on the verge of defeat in the legal skirmishing that was occurring after the election. Back in 1948 Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black, sitting in review of a Court of Appeals ruling, issued an order that stopped a federal master from opening and reviewing data that likely would have proved fraud. I guess Bush v Gore was not the first time the Supreme Court had ordered a halt to the count. A great book by a great author.
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Bill Manzi.com 
Caro is my favorite author. It is wonderful to find another Mayor, right in my back yard, with the same fascination for him.
In Means of Ascent, he portrays Coke Stevenson, a white racist segregationist, as some sort of a hero.
Still, as you said, it is a fascinating depiction of Texas politics of the day.
I can’t wait until the next installment– any idea when we can expect it?
Bill, given all that you do as Mayor, when do you find the time to post blogs?
Jim F
The latest polls point to Obama in Texas. The media has decided that he is the candidate.
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Jim,
I read the Caro masterpiece “Master of the Senate” before I read this one, and I find his style very compelling. I agree with your assesment of his depiction of Coke Stevenson. After the read I found myself with some sympathy for Coke, but agree that Stevenson represented some of the most reactionary aspects of Texas politics. (Fascinating that Johnson was able to sow some confusion on the part of Coke’s traditional ultra-conservative friends with his attacks on Stevenson as a lackey for labor) I keep trying to find out what Caro’s schedule is for the final installment, but have not been able to do so. In answer to your question on blogging all I can say is that my wife is ready to kill me.
Bill
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Have you read Caro’s book on Robert Moses, “The Power Broker”?
After reading that, and seeing various rebuttals, including’s Moses’s own rebuttal before he died, I have changed my mind on Robert Caro. I now view him as a well researched, well documented hatchet man.
Robert Moses spent decaded building his reputation. Caro destroyed him in one book.
His books on LBJ are fascinating, but other authors have different views of the 1948 race. What I liked best is the story Landslide Lyndon used to tell himself of the little boy who said that his long lost father had come back to vote.
There is a strong rumor, very strong, that Caro’s next book is not about LBJ at all, it is about some local police department and the efforts of some reform Mayor to change things. Have you heard that rumor?
Jim
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Jim,
After your post my wife just bought me “The Power Broker” for my birthday. I will begin reading this week. I am looking forward to that Police Story book.
Bill
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