The Path to Power

1. Lyndon Johnson's early life shaped his political ambition and tactics

"Lyndon Johnson was a natural born leader," Ben Crider would say. "… And if he couldn't lead, he didn't care much about playing, it seemed like."

Formative years in the Hill Country. Johnson grew up in a region marked by poverty, isolation, and limited opportunities. This environment instilled in him a fierce determination to escape and succeed. From an early age, he displayed a keen interest in politics and a natural talent for leadership, often organizing and dominating his peers in games and activities.

Early political exposure. Johnson's father, Sam Ealy Johnson Jr., was a state legislator, which gave young Lyndon early exposure to the world of politics. He often accompanied his father to Austin and political events, absorbing the intricacies of political maneuvering and public speaking. This early immersion in politics laid the foundation for his future career and shaped his understanding of power dynamics.

2. Johnson's college years revealed his political genius and ruthless nature

"A pretty vicious operation for a while. They lost everything I could have them lose. It was my first real big dictat——Hitlerized—operation, and I broke their back good. And it stayed broke for a good long time."

Mastery of campus politics. At Southwest Texas State Teachers College, Johnson quickly grasped the potential for power in student government. He formed a secret organization called the White Stars to challenge the dominant Black Stars, using tactics such as:

• Vote-counting and manipulation
• Forming strategic alliances
• Exploiting student grievances
• Controlling campus media

Ruthless tactics. Johnson's methods often crossed ethical lines:

• Stealing elections through multiple voting and ballot manipulation
• Blackmailing opponents
• Spreading false information
• Exploiting personal relationships for political gain

These experiences laid the groundwork for his future political career, demonstrating his willingness to use any means necessary to achieve his goals.

3. The Hill Country's harsh reality molded Johnson's pragmatic approach

"The Hill Country was a trap—a trap baited with grass."

Unforgiving environment. The Hill Country's harsh conditions shaped Johnson's worldview:

• Frequent droughts and crop failures
• Poverty and limited economic opportunities
• Isolation from broader cultural and economic trends

Pragmatism over idealism. Growing up in this environment, Johnson learned:

• The importance of adaptability and resourcefulness
• The need to focus on practical results rather than abstract principles
• The value of building personal relationships and alliances

This pragmatic approach, born of necessity in the Hill Country, would become a hallmark of Johnson's political career, enabling him to navigate complex political landscapes and achieve results where others failed.

4. Johnson's relationship with his parents influenced his political style

"She was so shy and reserved all the time," says a girl who lived with them on the Pedernales for several months. "Then she'd hear Sam coming home. Her face would just light up like a little kid's, and out she'd go flying down to the gate to meet him."

Contrasting parental influences. Johnson's parents represented different approaches to life and politics:

• Father (Sam): Idealistic, principled, and politically active
• Mother (Rebekah): Educated, cultured, and supportive

Synthesis of styles. Johnson developed a political approach that combined elements from both parents:

• His father's political ambition and public service orientation
• His mother's emphasis on education and personal advancement
• A pragmatic approach that diverged from his father's idealism

This synthesis allowed Johnson to pursue power effectively while maintaining a veneer of public service and intellectualism, a combination that would prove potent throughout his political career.

5. Johnson's ability to manipulate and dominate emerged in college politics

"If he thought you could help him, he would fawn all over you," star end Joe Berry says. "If you couldn't, he wouldn't waste much time with you."

Mastery of manipulation. Johnson quickly learned to identify and exploit others' weaknesses and desires:

• Flattering those in power, particularly faculty and administrators
• Building a network of loyal followers through favors and promises
• Isolating and undermining opponents

Domineering personality. Johnson's need to control extended to personal relationships:

• Insisting on leading in group activities
• Monopolizing conversations and attention
• Using physical presence and gestures to intimidate or persuade

These traits, honed in college, would become defining characteristics of Johnson's political style, enabling him to dominate political landscapes at every level of his career.

6. Johnson's insecurity and need for validation drove his political ambitions

"He wanted attention. He wanted everyone to know someone had injured him. He wanted everyone to feel sorry for him."

Deep-seated insecurities. Despite his outward confidence, Johnson was plagued by insecurities:

• Fear of failure and poverty, stemming from his Hill Country upbringing
• Constant need for approval and recognition
• Sensitivity to criticism and perceived slights

Ambition as compensation. Johnson's political ambitions served as a means to address these insecurities:

• Seeking positions of power and influence
• Cultivating a public image of strength and competence
• Relentlessly pursuing success to prove his worth

This psychological drive would fuel Johnson's political career, pushing him to ever-greater heights of power and influence while also contributing to his often ruthless and manipulative tactics.

7. Johnson's political tactics at college foreshadowed his later career

"Lyndon was always the string-puller behind the scenes," says Joe Berry. "He found those he could use, and used them, and those he couldn't, he worked behind the scenes to put down."

Behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Johnson excelled at:

• Building and maintaining secret alliances
• Controlling information flow
• Manipulating decision-making processes

Leveraging power. He quickly learned to use his positions for maximum advantage:

• As student worker in the president's office, influencing job assignments
• Controlling campus media to shape narratives
• Using student government to allocate resources to allies

These tactics, refined in college, would become hallmarks of Johnson's later political career, allowing him to accumulate and wield power effectively at the highest levels of government.

8. The contrast between Johnson and his idealistic father defined his approach

His father, even as an infant, had had the "dark eyes, black curls and white skin"—and the large ears and heavy eyebrows—that were "a Bunton inheritance," and it was soon apparent that that inheritance had been passed on undiluted to the son.

Diverging paths. While Johnson inherited many physical traits from his father, their approaches to politics differed significantly:

• Sam Johnson: Principled, idealistic, often ineffective
• Lyndon Johnson: Pragmatic, ruthless, highly effective

Rejection of idealism. Johnson's experiences led him to reject his father's approach:

• Witnessing his father's political and financial struggles
• Recognizing the limitations of principle in achieving political goals
• Developing a more flexible, results-oriented approach

This contrast with his father's idealism shaped Johnson's political philosophy, leading him to prioritize effectiveness and power over rigid adherence to principles.

9. Johnson's talent for flattery and building alliances began in college

"He was a very brilliant young man," Ben Crider says. "The boys his age just wasn't his class mentally."

Mastery of personal relationships. Johnson excelled at:

• Identifying key power brokers and influencers
• Tailoring his approach to each individual's personality and needs
• Building a network of loyal supporters and allies

Strategic flattery. He used praise and attention as tools:

• Lavishing compliments on professors and administrators
• Showing intense interest in others' opinions and experiences
• Cultivating a reputation as an eager and dedicated student

These skills, developed in college, would become crucial to Johnson's later political success, enabling him to build coalitions and navigate complex political landscapes.

10. Johnson's pragmatism often trumped idealism in pursuit of power

"We didn't care if the argument was true or not. We kept trying arguments to find one that touched."

Focus on results. Johnson prioritized effectiveness over principle:

• Adapting his positions to suit the audience or situation
• Using any argument or tactic that would achieve his goals
• Viewing ideological consistency as a potential liability

Flexible alliances. He was willing to work with anyone who could help him:

• Forming partnerships based on mutual benefit rather than shared beliefs
• Quickly abandoning allies when they were no longer useful
• Skillfully navigating between different factions and interest groups

This pragmatic approach, while often criticized as unprincipled, allowed Johnson to achieve significant political victories throughout his career, culminating in his presidency and the passage of landmark legislation.

Last updated: November 28, 2024