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The Passage of Power
PRESIDENTIAL SERIES
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7. Presidential Series: PASSAGE OF POWER ~~ Oct. 29th ~ Nov. 4th ~~ Chapters ELEVEN and TWELVE (307 - 338); No Spoilers Please
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Chapter Overviews and SummariesChapter Eleven: The Cubicle
As reporters continue to dig into LBJ's fortune and the Rules Committee talk about Baker, JFK orders O'Bien to get LBJ and Senator Yarborough in the same car. The press had picked up the story, embarrassing the president.
JFK drew big crowds in Dallas. LBJ heard cracking sounds and Secret Service Agent Youngblood pushed LBJ down to the floor. The car races to Parkland hospital.
LBJ's group found a cubicle work space to wait it out. LBJ refused to leave until he heard about JFK. Ken O'Donnell came into the room and told LBJ that JFK died. Once the news began to spread, all investigations into LBJ stopped.
Chapter Twelve: Taking Charge
LBJ was calm as he began to figure out the next steps to take. It was unclear if the assassination was a conspiracy. They decide to drive in secret to Air Force One and wait for Jackie and JFK's body. LBJ called RFK to discuss the swearing in ceremony. There was no record of the phone calls, but after the first LBJ call, RFK called Katzenbach and agreed a ceremony done quickly was better. RFK told LBJ to do it immediately and will send the oath to him via Katzenbach. LBJ wanted Judge Sarah Hughes and Jackie there, as well.
The Kennedy group boarded the plane. They were shocked to see LBJ there, thinking he was on the other plane heading to D.C. LBJ was sworn in and asked O'Donnell and O'Brien to stay on. They did not commit.
These two chapters were really exciting for me. I was really riveted to my seat and flew through them. I found LBJ's call to RFK a little strange. I think he wanted RFK's blessing to assume the Presidency but it came off wrong. I understand LBJ's reasoning for being sworn in so early but he didn't do it very tactfully, in my opinion.
These are interesting chapters. I am impressed by LBJ's coolness in the car once he heard the shots.What do you think he could have done differently to be more tactful?
I was totally taken back by the botched bedroom scene that displayed a lack of class and manners on Air Force One. Jackie comes onboard with the coffin and goes to her bedroom only to find LBJ in shirtsleeves “…in the hallowed ground…We, of course, scurried out of that bedroom. It was really embarrassing.” (pg. 330).
It was regrettable, Mark. You have to figure there are some miscommunications going on. I guess LBJ was in the bedroom due to lack of some privacy to make phone calls. He did apologize and got out there quickly. It became part of the lore. Do you think it detracts to the overall story of LBJ's strong sense of calm in taking over the office?
One book was not part of the bibliography. One thing it details is that O'Donnell was not the first to tell LBJ that Kennedy was gone. Apparently, he came after Emory Roberts who told LBJ the news at 1:13 pm, about 5 to 7 minutes before O'Donnell. The Kennedy Assassination-24 Hours After: Lyndon B. Johnson's Pivotal First Day as President
Steven M. Gillon
I guess with the re-telling of the circumstances that occurred after the shooting one might imagine that the actions of LBJ were a confirmation to himself that he had finally reached the position to which he had worked all his life. I have a friend who believes that he was actually involved somehow in setting those actions in motion. In reading the first vol. of this series and understanding his history . . . I find it difficult to imagine that happening.
I do believe that he had ability to size up the circumstances and find the reserves within himself to be able to make the decisions necessary. It must have been total chaos at the time . . and even though people train for such eventualities . . . when they actually occur . . you kind of step outside yourself to do the things that need to be done.
In my profession as a nurse . . . I have experienced that many times. It's called compartmentalism . . . you don't allow your emotions to interfere with what needs to be done. You put your feelings on hold until you have time to feel them.
Bryan, I think if he was going to call RFK it should have been to offer condolences rather than asking his advice on the swearing in. It was so close to when he received the call about JFK poor Bobby was in No position to think clearly. I can't imagine getting two calls like that back-to-back.
Thanks, Tomerobber and Theresa. It would be very hard to put yourself in LBJ's shoes.
Tomerobber wrote about LBJ taking charge: "It's called compartmentalism . . . you don't allow your emotions to interfere with what needs to be done. You put your feelings on hold until you have time to feel them."I think that is an excellent explanation for LBJ's very competent assumption of power. He was a man of action and finally he got his chance to take charge again.
The call to Bobby was probably a misstep, but not a major one in my opinion. As for using the bedroom that had been reserved for Jackie, he needed a place to make calls. There wasn't much space for privacy on the plane.
These two chapters really made me feel what it was like to be there. Well done, Caro.
Bryan wrote: " Do you think it detracts to the overall story of LBJ's strong sense of calm in taking over the office?"LBJ might have been calm throughout, but my take is that he was more on task.
I do feel the bedroom incident reveals one’s character and overall it was a missed opportunity by LBJ. As the saying goes “actions speak louder than words”. The new Commander-in-Chief should have put everything on hold for a few moments to be positioned in a prominent location when JFK’s coffin was placed on AF1. Following this moment of respect it would have been proper to give condolences to Jackie and then either he or Lady Bird should have escorted the former First Lady to her room for a bit of privacy before the official swearing in. Instead of a warm embrace or a shoulder or pillow to rest her head on, Jackie was given a glass of scotch.
Ann wrote: "Tomerobber wrote about LBJ taking charge: "It's called compartmentalism . . . you don't allow your emotions to interfere with what needs to be done. You put your feelings on hold until you have tim..."I think that is a great explanation, Ann and Tomerobber. It was a great description in the cubicle where LBJ just sat there and you see the wheels turning. He was working something out, no emotion interfering.
Mark wrote: "Bryan wrote: " Do you think it detracts to the overall story of LBJ's strong sense of calm in taking over the office?"LBJ might have been calm throughout, but my take is that he was more on task...."
Mark, it is interesting to note that in LBJ's memoir, he says exactly that. He greeted Jackie as she came on the plane and escorted her to the bedroom and left her alone.
But it does not hold up. Apparently, the Secret Service failed to alert LBJ that Jackie had boarded. They scrambled to get their stuff out of the bedroom, but it was too late. He did apologize as he left the room. So, it wasn't his fault. But, he lied later about this incident, and I think this might show a little of his character here.
Lyndon B. Johnson
Bryan,I am reminded of how much Bobby Kennedy hated LBJ's lying when reading your report of Johnson's autobiography.
Ann
So true, Ann. So what would have he gained by lying about this incident? Could it be Kennedy approval, the feeling he was a usurper?
Indeed, Cheryl, it is a troubling. If he is insecure, it makes sense he would paint a better picture of himself re: the Kennedys.There are many self-serving memoirs out there written by politicians.
I truly like Caro’s writing style as he provides much information and lets readers form their own opinion. As with so much history there is not always a definitive answer.
Bryan wrote: "There are many self-serving memoirs out there written by politicians."And then there is the famous Sir Winston Churchill quote: “History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.”
Cheryl, it was one of Kennedy family's darkest day.Insecure...I do sense it is around him. Can he balance the scales, I wonder.
I thought it says something about Kennedy's character in that even though they had lost the baby . . . when Jackie was in the hospital . . . it wasn't JFK who was there to comfort her . . . It was Bobby. Politics and power frequently emphasize the least attractive traits of people.
Fortunately, I'll never have to worry about my dirty linen being dragged out for all to see . . . :-/
There seemed to be a strong bond between Bobby and Jackie.
What did everyone think about the news reporters backing off on the LBJ stories when Kennedy was killed?Could you image that happening today??
It is interesting, Cheryl, that the Rules Committee did not continue. Maybe it was the whole shock of the assassination and LBJ's history in the Senate. I'm not sure. They were willing to give him a chance. You don't see many people giving people a chance as it once was.
Bryan wrote: "What did everyone think about the news reporters backing off on the LBJ stories when Kennedy was killed?Could you image that happening today??"
Actually I could. In general I am not very impressed with the lot of journalists today. So many in the profession fail to dig deep into a story, while other issues receive scant coverage. It’s basic vanilla and that is one reason I believe newspapers are in a decline.
I think the press did the right thing in dropping the LBJ investigations. The country needed to come together after such a terribly traumatic experience. LBJ behaved unethically before he was president, but what Nixon did was much worse. He was president at the time and used the power of his office to try to spy on and undermine his opponents by planting bugs in the Democratic campaign offices. Then his "committee" paid those involved to lie. How low can you go?
I would like to think that Kennedy would have turned away from the Vietnam War, but I doubt that would have happened. The pressures to avoid "appeasing" the communists was too strong.
Nixon took the presidency to a new low.Thanks everyone for the great comments.
At this point Cheryl, his term is in the future, so the reporters didn't know what will pass. I think it was a different time in wake of a big tragedy.
Hmmm, I suspicion that if we made a close study of each of the people who have occupied that office since it's creation . . . we would probably discover that most of them would be wanting in the personal ethics department. And yes laws should be enforced rationally not emotionally . . . but how often does that REALLY happen? With the current elections . . . most all of the media campaigns play to the emotions . . . not the rational facts.
To my own opinion . . . politics is a dirty business . . . and from what I have observed of humanity's attempt to govern and rule itself over the centuries it has always been so . . . .
Let's back to our topic on hand.
A lot of effort went into the oath of office. More than I realized. You think he did the right think having the ceremony in Dallas with Jackie at his side?
Sometimes people do the right thing for the wrong reasons. It was so important for the people of America to feel stability and continuity at that time. Critical in fact considering what had so recently happened in Cuba. Without a clear public statement regarding the chain of succession, who knows what might have happened. Regardless of what the future held, this statement showed continuity. Regardless of Johnsons motivation, the US could not appear vulnerable to the rest of the world. Having Jackie at his side, no matter how callous the reasoning gave proof that the succession was valid (imo (smile))
At first, it seems odd to have Jackie right next to LBJ, but it makes a lot of sense. as you said G. Jackie understood even in her grief and shock.
I agree with G . . . I think it was important to provide that continuity and provide a sense of stability.
LBJ seemed to really understand this and acted quickly. It is impressive.
Bryan wrote: "Let's back to our topic on hand.A lot of effort went into the oath of office. More than I realized. You think he did the right think having the ceremony in Dallas with Jackie at his side?"
Yes, I do. I'm old enough to remember the picture and the event, and I think it symbolized to most people that the Office of the Presidency carried on even in the wake of great tragedy.
I also think Bobby was acting out of emotion when he asked what the hurry was. I believe LBJ did the right thing in this case, taking the oath as early as possible.
What's always struck me as so odd about the iconic image of LBJ's oath of office aboard Air Force One is the angle of the photograph. LBJ had both Lady Bird and Jackie at his side yet the way the photograph was staged we barely see Lady Bird. (and I don't remember Caro addressing this topic in his chapter on the ceremony which otherwise was very thorough)Was the angle of the photograph set up by LBJ to try to keep a sense of continuity in the eyes of Americans? After all, he could have reversed the places where Lady Bird and Jackie were standing or had the photographer in a different location (although Caro does write about the crowded conditions of the plane) and it would not have had the same effect.
Thanks, Steven. It is great to hear from someone who lived through it. Yeah, RFK must have been barely hanging on.
I am not sure, but good question. I think I remember it was very crowded, so the photographer probably had few options. He was standing on a couch, I think. I would think getting Jackie in the photo would be high priority.
The History Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Vantage Point: Perspectives Of The Presidency 1963-1969 (other topics)The Kennedy Assassination--24 Hours After: Lyndon B. Johnson's Pivotal First Day as President (other topics)
The Passage of Power (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Lyndon B. Johnson (other topics)Steven M. Gillon (other topics)
Robert A. Caro (other topics)
The week's reading assignment is:
Week SEVEN - October 29th - November 4th -> Chapters ELEVEN & TWELVE p. 307 - 338
ELEVEN - The Cubicle and TWELVE - Taking Charge
We will open up a thread for each week's reading. Please make sure to post in the particular thread dedicated to those specific chapters and page numbers to avoid spoilers. We will also open up supplemental threads as we did for other spotlighted books.
We look forward to your participation. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders and other noted on line booksellers do have copies of the book and shipment can be expedited. The book can also be obtained easily at your local library.
There is no rush and we are thrilled to have you join us. It is never too late to begin reading this selection and/or to post.
Bryan Craig is the assisting moderator who will be leading this discussion. We hope you enjoy this discussion of another great book in the Presidential Series.
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Notes
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