The Triumph and Tragedy of Lyndon Johnson: The White House Years by Joseph A. Califano Jr.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book popped up in a Kindle fire sale so despite the fact that I am patiently waiting for Robert Caro to deliver the last installment of his magnificent series on LBJ I could not resist this book at the price.

Joe Califano had an up close look at how LBJ operated as President, serving as a chief domestic advisor to Johnson. Califano was named in 1965, serving at a time when the most activist Administration in history was enacting the most sweeping legislative program since the New Deal. The legislation enacted during this period changed the country forever. The Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, and so much more. Johnson, in his sweeping victory in 1964, brought massive Democratic majorities into the Congress. If there was one man who knew how to use legislative majorities it was Lyndon Johnson.

Califano was strictly on the domestic side and hence had no real access to the detail involved in decision making on the Vietnam War. Despite that he could see the exhaustion that came to Johnson as a result of the workload he put onto himself. LBJ’s way was to get involved directly in many matters where there was a need for his people to be guided by his expertise. Even where the outside world may not have perceived Johnson as being involved in so many cases he was directing the action in a way that likely has not ever been matched. Nixon essentially outsourced domestic policy, having no real interest in it. Johnson, having an intimate knowledge of both the institution of Congress and the players serving in Congress, in many respects served as his own Congressional liaison. LBJ did not have a Chief of Staff, so he served as his own Chief of Staff as well. For better or worse LBJ ran the program, and he drove his staff, Califano included, mercilessly.

LBJ has been well covered but no matter how much has been written some great new (to me) LBJ stories always manage to come through. This book has its fair share of them. When LBJ sent Califano over to see wily Senator John McLellan to work out a deal on creating the federal Transportation Department (McLellan was holding out and was a Chairman.) Califano reported back directly to LBJ on his progress, which was non-existent. He reported that McLellan was indicating that he was having serious trouble getting a Committee quorum for the bill markup. After getting fed up with McLellan Califano phoned some of the other committee members, who informed him that McLellan had assured them that their presence was not needed for this matter in Committee. Johnson told Califano that:


“Johnson laughed. “You know something,” he said, “John McClellan is teaching you more about politics in two months than your old boss Tom Dewey III learned in two presidential campaigns.”

Califano Jr, Joseph A.. The Triumph & Tragedy of Lyndon Johnson: The White House Years (p. 157). Atria Books. Kindle Edition.

When Califano finally reached agreement with McClellan on this matter he rushed back to tell LBJ that he had achieved success. He was very proud of himself, and reported the terms of the deal to Johnson. His pride in the deal was soon over:

“When I finally came to an agreement with McClellan on easing standards for Corps of Engineers water projects, I returned to the Oval Office and proudly reported to Johnson that I had a deal and McClellan would move the bill. As I described the agreement, Johnson was sitting behind his green leather-topped desk and I was standing to his left, leaning on the cabinet that encased the AP and UPI wire-service tickers that constantly clicked away in his office. “Open your fly,” Johnson ordered. I just smiled, knowing he wasn’t serious but surprised nonetheless. “Unzip your fly,” he said rising from his green chair, “because there’s nothing there. John McClellan just cut it off with a razor so sharp you didn’t even notice it.” Johnson hit a button on his phone. “Get Senator McClellan for me.” As Johnson was telling me what a bad bargain I’d struck, McClellan got on the phone. ‘John,” the President said, “I’m calling about Joe Califano. You cut his pecker off and put it in your desk drawer. Now I’m sending him back up there to get it from you. I can’t agree to anything like that. You’ve got to realize that the transportation system of this country needs something besides more highways in Arkansas.’ ”

Califano Jr, Joseph A.. The Triumph & Tragedy of Lyndon Johnson: The White House Years (p. 157). Atria Books. Kindle Edition.

For those that might tell you that LBJ was not directly involved in legislative matters that story is but one of so many that show how involved he really was.

LBJ was not only a master legislative technician but the famed “Johnson treatment” made it very difficult to say no to him on matters where folks really did want to say no. When LBJ was putting together the Washington DC local government he ran into a refusal from John Hechinger to accept the City Council Chairman’s position. Johnson put Califano on it, and after Califano reported the refusal LBJ ordered Califano to bring Hechinger to the White House and persuade him. Califano tried to beg off, to no avail.

“At about 4 P.M., Christopher called to say Hechinger would not take the job. When I reported to the President, he told me to get Hechinger over to see me immediately in a White House car, so that he would have no opportunity to talk to anybody between Christopher’s office and mine. I told LBJ that I didn’t know whether Hechinger would come. “You get him to,” Johnson said as he hung up.”

Califano Jr, Joseph A.. The Triumph & Tragedy of Lyndon Johnson: The White House Years (p. 282). Atria Books. Kindle Edition.

Despite Califano’s best efforts Hechinger was dug in pretty hard. With Johnson ringing Califano’s phone every five minutes for progress reports Califano finally had to report failure. Johnson directed Califano to immediately proceed, with Hechinger, to see him.

“With a shrug, Hechinger walked over to the mansion with me. We went up to the living quarters, where, having gotten up from his nap and showered, the President was getting dressed, putting on his tie. “Mr. President, this is John Hechinger,” I said as the President emerged from the bedroom. The President grabbed Hechinger’s hand, and walked him toward the magnificent view from the southwest window of the living room, from which the Washington Monument is visible. Hechinger sighed, “Mr. President, that is a beautiful view.” “Mr. Hechinger,” said the President, “it certainly is, and what I’d like to do as President is keep that view beautiful and make this whole city as beautiful as that part of it is. But I can’t do it alone. I must have help. “This past year has brought to all Americans the importance of the city and the terrible trouble we’ve had in our urban communities. Washington should be a model. I want to do something for Washington which will make the whole country take notice. Mrs. Johnson and I know you can do this job. I don’t need a politician. Walter Washington is doing just fine in that area. I need someone who cares about this city and who is an administrator, a businessman, to chair this council. You talk about the District and the cities but now there’s an opportunity to do something. And you don’t have to worry about anyone cutting you up. There are two people in the District who can pick up the phone and talk to me. That’s you and Walter Washington.” The President turned to me for emphasis, “Do you hear that, Joe?” “Yes, sir,” I replied. “And there’s something else,” the President added turning again to face Hechinger as the two men now sat on the couch backed against the window. “I’ve extracted a pledge from each member of the council that they will work closely with you so that this first pilot government gets off the ground properly and we get full home rule here.” Hechinger was overwhelmed. Johnson glanced down at his folder on the coffee table in front of them. It was stamped “top secret.” Johnson looked deep into Hechinger’s eyes. “Mr. Hechinger, I know this is a very difficult decision for you.” Then he picked up the folder in his hand and continued, “Thank God you don’t have to make the decision that I do in a few minutes. You see this folder. I have to go over to a meeting and make some decisions whether to bomb the docks at Haiphong in North Vietnam. I’m trying to fight a war over there, to bring our boys back as fast as I can. I wish I could spend more time on the problems of Washington, but I can’t. I don’t need you in Vietnam. I need you right here to help me make this city the way it ought to be and the way I want it to be and the way every American wants their capital to be.” “I understand, Mr. President,” Hechinger said. Before he could say anything more, the President grabbed his shoulders and almost lifted him up from the couch as he rose to stand and said, “I knew you would, Mr. Hechinger. Thank you. I’m delighted that you’re willing to help me and serve as chairman of the City Council.” Hechinger didn’t know what had happened. The President pointed him toward the elevator and whispered quietly to me: “Call George. Tell him to get the press in his office, so that they’re waiting for you. Then announce this right away before he can change his mind.” Change his mind, I thought. Poor John Hechinger didn’t know what his mind was with this presidential rush. The President continued, whispering: “When you announce him, tell them no questions, just photographs.” The President moved toward the elevator with Hechinger. I went to the phone in the living room, and with a hand cupped over the receiver, I told George Christian I was on the way with Hechinger, and passed along the President’s instructions. I caught up with the President and Hechinger as Johnson turned to him. “John,” the President said, “for some reason Joe wants to make the announcement this afternoon. Why don’t you just go on with him over to the West Wing and take care of that and then you and I can get together soon for a long talk about the District and about what’s got to be done here. Mrs. Johnson and I look forward to seeing a lot of you and your wife.” With that, the President held his arm, shook his hand, and sent us on our way. Just as we were getting on the elevator, the President casually said to Hechinger, “Oh, by the way. On that tax matter Joe will have the bill at your house in the morning so you can pay it before noon.” Hechinger was so dazed he just said, “Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you very much.”

Califano Jr, Joseph A.. The Triumph & Tragedy of Lyndon Johnson: The White House Years (pp. 285-286). Atria Books. Kindle Edition.

The Johnson treatment even included forcing Hechinger to pay a disputed tax amount so that there would be no political dirt that could be dug up on him. A long excerpt, but one that shows the LBJ ability to get people on board for tasks that were not on their radar screen until Johnson asked.

Califano was both admiring, and in many ways, awe struck by Johnson. But even so he managed some criticism. As the Vietnam war expanded and became a financial drain Califano was one of the people charged with keeping the Great Society program moving forward in spite of the finances. LBJ did want guns and butter, and he resisted making adjustments that would take funding from the Great Society. Johnson, reluctantly, was forced to support a 10% income tax surcharge to help fund the war and the Great Society.

Califano had a front row seat for the LBJ withdrawal from the 1968 Presidential race. That withdrawal has been much discussed recently, with the Biden withdrawal spurring many to look back at what LBJ did. Different circumstances, but much similarity.

I did note that Califano expressed his view that LBJ did not like or respect Richard Nixon. While they had been rivals for some time the historical record on LBJ’s true thoughts on Nixon is mixed. Califano brought up the Chenault affair, which without question upset Johnson. While we will never really know the truth it is likely that LBJ understood Nixon, and at some level had respect for his political skills. Nixon most certainly respected those skills in LBJ.

For me an excellent Kindle read. Of course we shall wait on Caro, but this book makes the wait easier.




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