How Did LBJ Handle His Political Opponents Within His Own Party

[DemocratSinceBirth]

A little background first. IMHO, LBJ was right about everything but the Viet Nam War and Hell old Lyndon truly believed he was doing the right thing on that. He was the most liberal president of the 20th Century cept for FDR.

He gave us Medicare, Medicaid, The Voting Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Civil Rights Act and more.

There is now a battle within the Democratic party between the DLC and the more progressive members.

As Lyndon said "I would rather have my opponents ( insert DLC) in the tent pissing out than outside the tent pissing in."

We need a united front to remove this right wing junta from the White House and the detritus that followed it."

[IDUDOYOU]

1. He gave them the treatment

And why would LBJ oppose the DLC today?
Maybe today, LBJ would be part of it.
How do you know what LBJ would stand for today?
The Great Society got enacted.


Don't imply "progressive" just covers the Dems that are on your side.

Does "progressive" mean an A rating from the NRA?
No freaking way!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

3. It Was A Parable About Dealing With Your Enemies

It was not an endorsement of any poltical position.

It's hard to place LBJ on today's political continuum.

He was a fierce anti-communist.

He was progressive on race

He was progressive on economics

He was for a robust military.

I'll let others place him on today's continuum.

[trof]

2. Read "Secrets"

by Daniel Ellsberg and you may change your mind about LBJ's believing he was doing the right thing.
Having said that...
I think he used carrot AND stick.
"If you do this for me, I'll do that for you. If you DON'T do this for me, I'll do that TO you."
I think he also said "He might be a sonofabitch, but he's OUR sonofabitch".

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. I Don't Want To ReArgue The Viet Nam War

The bottom line was it was a civil war and we underestimated the passion of our adversaires.


I still think LBJ was a great president and a true Texan not like the dime store cowboy we have in the White House now.

[trof]

6. Not "re-arguing" the war.

I've just discovered a lot of information I never had before.
Read the book and draw your own conclusions.
I don't think LBJ was an angel or a devil. I do think he was a master of moving legislation both as a member of congress and in the White House.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. I Agree With Your Assessment

but I would add as a school teacher in rural post WW2 Texas teaching poor Mexicans he did develop an empathy for the downtrodden.

[JayS]

5. He was a master at understanding what made his...

...opponents tick and used this knowledge well. If you ever get the chance, listen to some of the tapes of his conversations. He knew how to trade/call-in favors to get what he wanted.