The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of American Presidents: Part 16

All too often, American presidents are generalized. This one was good, this one was bad, or all of them were bad before or after this point. In reality, each President has positive or negative aspects that may be frequently overlooked. Sometimes what seemed good at the time is not so good in retrospect, or what was controversial would be accepted today. In this series, we'll look at the highlights of each President from the founding of America to today.

In Part 15, we looked at the presidencies of Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhauer. We now continue with two more presidents, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson.

35. John F. Kennedy (in office January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963)

Graduated cum laude from Harvard University

Worked at the American Embassy in London in 1938, when his father was the American Ambassador to the UK.

Joined the U.S. Naval reserve. When WWII broke out he was initially assigned to the Panama Canal, but he appealed to Senator David I. Walsh of Massachusetts, who arranged for Kennedy to be assigned to duty in the Pacific.

In WWII, became a war hero when the boat he served as commander on, P.T. 109, was rammed in the Pacific, cutting it in half. Kennedy personally rescued members of his crew and with them, clung to the wreckage for 12 hours, awaiting rescue. When rescue did not come, and the wreckage was sinking, Kennedy and the survivors swam 3.5 miles to shore, with Kennedy towing one of his injured crewmen by a strap held in his teeth. The incident, and other events during the war, further injured Kennedy's back, which already was frequently plagued by chronic pain.

After the war, started working as a special correspondent for Hearst Newspapers, a job arranged by Kennedy's father, who was a friend of William Randolph Hearst.

Elected to represent Massachusetts in both the House of Representatives and Senate. As a Congressman, Kennedy had one of the worst attendance records in Congress, showing more interest in being a writer than a member of Congress. His staff said he had little interest in his constituents or his staff, and the arcane rules of Congress clearly frustrated him.

When pondering, as a member of the House of Representatives, whether to run for the Senate or for Governor of Massachusetts, Kennedy decided to run for the Senate because he thought the governor "sat in an office, handing out sewer contracts."

Defeated three-time incumbent Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., a Republican to narrowly win election to the U.S. Senate.

While a Senator, published his book, "Profiles in Courage", which won the Pulitzer Prize. The book provides profiles of eight different Senators in history who stood up for what was right.

As a Senator, Kennedy was known for responding to constituents very quickly, whether in simple correspondence or in regards to requests.

Kennedy called being a Senator "the most corrupt job in the world" because Senators were so reliant on campaign contributions and the whims of their supporters.

Lyndon Johnson, who was Senate Majority Leader while Kennedy was a senator, referred to Kennedy as "a playboy" whose performance as a senator was "pathetic." Ironically, Kennedy chose Johnson as his running mate in his bid for president, because Johnson, as a Senator from Texas, could help him win votes in the South.

When campaigning for president, he engaged in the first televised presidential debates, with then-vice president Richard Nixon.

Achievements as President

Youngest person to be elected President, at age 43. Theodore Roosevelt is the youngest person to serve as President, at age 41. The distinction being that then-vice president Roosevelt assumed the position when President William McKinley was assassinated.

First Catholic President. There was significant concern about electing a Catholic, because, in theory, Catholics are led by the Pope. Kennedy assured voters his first duty would be to the country, not his church.

Navigated the country through the Cuban Missile Crisis, narrowly averting a nuclear war with the Soviet Union that likely would have destroyed most of the life in the Northern hemisphere. It was the closest the world has come to seeing a nuclear war. To prevent further crises, a Washington-Moscow hotline was established, enabling direct communication between the two nations.

Delivered the famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech at the newly-elected Berlin Wall, denouncing the creation of the wall and the continuing struggles of a divided post-WWII, Cold War Germany.

A skilled orator, he gave many great speeches, with quotes including "Ich bin ein Berliner," "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country," and "we do this not because it is easy but because it is hard."

Launched his "New Frontier" programs, a collective name used to describe his domestic and foreign policies. Key issues included the eradication of poverty in America and inspiring the United States through the achievements of the space program.

Proposed the Revenue Act of 1964, which, like the Civil Rights Act of 1964, was passed by Congress after his death in 1963. The Revenue Act, also known as the Tax Reduction Act, was based on the theory that temporary deficit spending would boost the economy. One of the largest tax cuts in U.S. history, it cut federal income taxes by approximately twenty percent across the board, and the top federal income tax rate fell from 91 percent to 70 percent. The act also reduced the corporate tax from 52 percent to 48 percent and created a minimum standard deduction.

Increased the U.S. economy considerably during his administration, climbing an average of 5.5% per year, a significant increase over the 2.2% average seen under Eisenhower. In the last year of Eisenhower's term the economy actually shrank 1%.

Appointed his brother, Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), to the post of Attorney General. RFK would be a key advisor to Kennedy, and together they focused the IRS, the FBI, and the Justice Department to fighting organized crime.

Established the Peace Corps by executive order. Also established the Food for Peace program, designed to aid the 24 countries who gained independence from colonizing countries during his tenure. The program was central to foreign policy, and was instrumental in helping those countries develop healthy import/export systems.

Launched the Alliance for Progress, designed to establish partnerships between the U.S. and Latin America. This was coordinated by Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Munoz Marin, Kennedy's top advisor of Latin American affairs, and Teodoro Moscoso.

Supported the Civil Rights Movement, which resulted in Congress passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a landmark law outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

At a time when NASA was struggling, and when the Soviets were outperforming the U.S. in the Space Race, he set the goal of landing men on the moon by the end of the 1960s, a goal that was achieved during President Nixon's first term, in 1969.

Signed National Security Action Memorandum 263 in October 1963, ordering the removal of 1,000 military personnel from Viet Nam by the end of the year.

Took a four-day trip to Ireland, Kennedy's ancestral home, becoming the first President to address the Irish parliament. Kennedy described the trip as the best four days of his life.

Outlined a path for world peace and an end to the U.S.-Soviet arms race as part of a speech at American University in June 1963. Tis was followed by an actual nuclear test ban treaty, signed in September, 1963.

Appointed Abraham Bolden as the first African-American Secret Service agent.

Signed an executive order establishing the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity. This prevented discriminating against job applicants on the basis of race, creed, color, or national origin.

When a Black student enrolled at the all-White University of Mississippi but was prevented from entering, the Attorney General sent 400 federal marshals to deal with the situation. This resulted in riots, and Kennedy sent in 3,000 soldiers to handle the riots. The student was admitted into the school, and Kennedy's only regret was not sending troops sooner.

Following the University of Mississippi riots (aka Ole Miss Riots), Kennedy signed an executive order prohibiting racial discrimination in federally funded housing.

Campaigned on the promise of supporting equal pay for women, then in 1963 signed the Equal Pay Act, an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act, making it illegal to pay employees less solely on the basis of sex.

Increased the school lunch program and launched a new pilot Food Stamp program after the initial one, launched during the Great Depression, had ended.

Appointed 2 justices to the Supreme Court, plus 21 Appeals Court judges and 102 District Court judges.

Due to many factors, not the least of which are the glamour of a young, beautiful President and First Lady and their young children occupying the White House Kennedy's presidency is referred to as "Camelot." Kennedy was a fan of the musical "Camelot" and one genealogist traved Kennedy's lineage back to King Arthur, though it's never been definitively proven who King Arthur was or when he lived. Regardless, the nostalgia for Kennedy's term is significant, looked at as a shining moment in American history when people were happy and good things happened.

Failures

Authorized the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion, a coordinated attempt between American and Cuban forces to overthrow Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. The lesser-known, "Operation Mongoose", a covert series of terrorist attacks by the CIA in Cuba also intended to overthrow the Castro regime, was a failure as well.

While he looked forward to meeting with Soviet Premier Nikita Khruschev, Kennedy first blundered by misinterpreting statements the Premier made during a routine speech intended for Soviet audiences. THinking the speech was issuing a personal challenge, Kennedy reacted aggressively, increasing tension before the two leaders even met in Vienna. There, the two discussed many topics, key among them the handling of Berlin, and Kennedy left frustrated, because he allowed himself to be bullied by his counterpart. In the months after, the Soviets built the Berlin Wall, dividing the city and sealing residents on one side of the Wall, under Soviet rule, for more than a generation. While he opposed the wall, Kennedy looked at it as a concession made to prevent a war.

Seeking to avoid the spread of communism to Latin America, Kennedy launched the Alliance for Progress, designed to improve conditions in those countries through financial aid, education, and other resources. An overall failure despite an initial investment of $500 million as well as later investments, less than 2% of the funds invested yielded desired outcomes, and the program was eventually discontinued by later presidents.

Assassinated in Dallas November 22, 1963. Despite being warned of the security risks, he insisted on riding in an open convertible so he could be seen by the public and not be shut off from them. Like Abraham Lincoln before him, Kennedy was warned by his secretary to not go to Dallas (or in Lincoln's case, the theatre).

Controversies

His father, Joe Kennedy, came from a political family and was a successful businessman in the early 20th century, becoming a chief Democrat party supporter and eventually befriending President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who made him Ambassador to the UK. While he did raise a fortune in legitimate business, becoming one of the top, if not the top distributor of whiskey in the US, it was later rumored that he was a bootlegger during Prohibition. These rumors are persistent, but lack physical evidence. If Joe Kennedy was a bootlegger, that affiliation with organized crime would foreshadow John Kennedy's later affiliation with Frank Sinatra, who was a known associate of multiple Mafia bosses, notably Sam Giancana.

In order to go into combat for World War II, Kennedy's father got a local doctor to certify his health, despite his history of childhood scarlet fever, chronic back, and abdominal pain.

Joe Kennedy orchestrated Kennedy's ascension in politics. Initially, Kennedy's older brother, Joe Kennedy, Jr. was the one their father planned to put into politics, but when Joe Jr. was killed in WWII, father Joe Kennedy started planning JFK's political career, using his connections and fortune to make it happen. One key incident is the publication of "Profiles in Courage", which was ghostwritten by at least one, if not two other men, most notably writer Ted Sorensen, but credited to Kennedy. Joe Kennedy Sr. also financed JFK's campaigns for the House of Representatives and the Senate. In the latter race, Joe bought an endorsement from the influenctal newspaper, The Boston Post by promising the publisher a $500,000 loan. Later, and most infamously, Joe Kennedy the 1960 presidential election, most notably in the key state of Illinois, where votes were counted for dead people, among other tactics. While the rigging was obvious, Kennedy's opponent, Vice President Richard Nixon, opted not to contest the vote because of the damage it could do to the country.

Kennedy was the only Democrat Senator to not vote to censure Senator Joe McCarthy for breaking rules and abusing an Army general. Not because he supported McCarthy, but because he was in the hospital at the time, a frequent situation when Kennedy was a Senator. He was often ill with back problems and had two back surgeries during his tenure in the Senate. While he drafted a speech denouncing McCarthy, Kennedy was never able to deliver it due to his hospitalization, and he never indicated how he would have voted on the matter of censure. This latter fact cost him a measure of support from liberal leaning voters in 1956 and 1960.

Fellow Catholics Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, along with their fellow "Rat Pack" member, Sammy Davis Jr, who were among the biggest stars in America at the time, campaigned hard for Kennedy in his bid for President. Sinatra in particular considered Kennedy a close friend, and the two planned to have Thanksgiving dinner together at Sinatra's home in Palm Spring, California, where Sinatra built a helipad, enabling Kennedy to fly straight there. After the election, advisors told Kennedy to distance himself from Sinatra, due to his ties to the Mafia (in fact both Kennedy and Sinatra were associates of Mafia boss Sam Giancana), so Kennedy changed plans, opting to spend Thanksgiving with Bing Crosby, though Crosby was a known Republican. Sinatra felt so betrayed by this that he smashed the equipment on the helipad and never spoke to Rat Pack member, Peter Lawford, who had married into the Kennedy family, again, simply because he was associated with them.

While Kennedy had concerns about nepotism, he ceded to his father's insistence of making brother Robert F. Kennedy the Attorney General and chief advisor. Essentially the assistant president. At the same time, he changed the organizational structure of the White House, moving away from delegating, as President Eisenhower did, and favoring a wheel-like structure, in which advisors and secretaries provided information and Kennedy made all the decisions, often rapidly.

When he assumed the office as President, Kennedy learned that the CIA had existing plans to assassinate Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Domincan Republic leader Rafael Trujillo. Kennedy didn't stop those plans, but noted that they should be done with plausible deniability because he was openly opposed to such measures. The assassination of Castro failed multiple times, but Trujillo was killed in June 1961. Kennedy and his brother Bobby were officially outraged.

Secretly authorized CIA-led activities in Laos to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. This included bombing raids.

A noted ladies' man, Kennedy had an untold number of affairs during his marriage and while in office, including with legendary actress Marilyn Monroe. While the press didn't report on these affairs, as was the custom at the time, Monroe's hypersexual performance of "Happy Birthday" to the president, in front of the first lady, at Kennedy's birthday celebration, was too much to ignore.

Increased the number of military advisers in South Vietnam and backed the Strategic Hamlet program in Vietnam as part of an effort to combat the spread of communism there. Under President Eisenhower, there were 900 advisers deployed. Under Kennedy, that increased to 16,000, with 100 American casualties.

Responding to another attempt to block Black students from entering a White University (in this case, the University of Alabama), Kennedy delivered a speech, "A Report to the American People on Civil Rights", delivered on national TV and radio. As a result, Congress voted down his two-year effort to provide relief to poor citizens in Appalachia, and civil rights leader Medgar Evans was killed. However, the speech and his policies resulted in his posthumous Civil Rights Act of 1964.

While his predecessor, President Eisenhower, himself a former general, famously warned Americans of the military-industrial complex, Kennedy increased military spending and worked to rearm the military, mainly in the interest of containing and countering the Soviet Union and the spread of communism throughout the world. During Kennedy's term, America's supply of nuclear weapons and the planes needed to carry them increased by 50%.

Ended the arms embargo Presidents Truman and Eisenhower kept on Israel and instead formed the special relationship American now has with Israel, stating the United States has a moral and national commitment to ensuring Israel is safe.

When 250,000 people planned to gather for the "March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom," Kennedy first opposed the idea, fearing the march would endanger his planned Civil Rights Bill. When FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover raised concerns that some involved with the March were communists, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy issued wiretaps , which were approved by President Kennedy and extended by Hoover. The March ended up being a success for civil rights and for Kennedy's legacy, and he invited organizers to the White House.

Signed a law abolishing the mandatory death penalty for first degree murder in the District of Columbia, the last remaining jurisdiction in the United States to have such a requirement. The death penalty was last applied in the District in 1957.

When construction of the Kirzua dam accidentally flooded a considerable part of the nation of the Native American Seneca tribe, 600 Seneca had to relocate. The American Civil Liberties Union asked Kennedy to halt construction of the dam, Kennedy refused, saying the dam was crucial for flood concern.

While Kennedy fought harder against organized crime than most if not all of his predecessors, his efforts may have contributed to his death. While the official investigation by the Warren Commission ruled that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing Kennedy, other evidence and testimony indicates that there may have been multiple influences behind Oswald, including the Mafia. As one example, the attorney for known Mafia boss Santo Trafficante stated in a Washington Post interview that Trafficante said, in a deathbed confession, "Carlos fucked up. We should've killed Bobby, not Giovanni". Meaning the person targeting the Mafia was RFK, not JFK, and thus RFK should have been the one they killed.

Both Kennedy and the First Lady were known to be on a number of prescription medications while he was in office, prescribed by the controversial Dr. Max Jacobson, aka "Dr. Feelgood." Both Kennedy and the First Lady were given regular doses of methamphetamines as well as "miracle cocktail" doses of amphetamines and vitamins, while Kennedy himself was also on a regular schedule of painkillers and muscle relaxants for his chronic back pain. While amphetamines were commonly prescribed in the 1950s and 60s, and were regularly used by the military, in the case of the Kennedys they may have contributed to the problems with the First Lady's final pregnancy and they may have made the president feel invincible or superior, a common side effect. Reportedly this affected his frame of mind during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and it may have led to his ignoring advice to not go to Dallas, and to ride in a convertible in his motorcade, two choices which resulted in his death.

Kennedy and his staff covered up the fact that he suffered from Addison's Disease, a disorder where a person's adrenal glands don't' work properly. Symptoms typically include fatigue or dizziness, and treatment usually involves regular hormonal therapy. However, if the condition is untreated, the patient may die. Kennedy's use of amphetamines may have been a means of coping with his Addison's disease, though, as noted above, their use was common at the time. Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley are two high-profile examples of individuals who developed a lifelong amphetamine habit after being given them during their military service, to help them stay alert and work longer.

36. Lyndon Baines Johnson (in office November 22, 1963 – January 20, 1969)

Grew up poor, the eldest of five children. His father typically lost money, and the land they lived on near Stonewall, Texas, was so rocky it was difficult to grow anything on it. There was no electricity in his family home when he was growing up, as there wasn't any in the area, as all the neighbors were also poor.

Excelling in debate and baseball in high school, he graduated and went on to attend Southwest Texas State Teachers College.

Took 9 months out of his time to take part in a paid program to teach Mexican-Americans English. This helped him earn enough money to pay for his remaining education, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in History and a certificate in teaching.

Worked as a teacher and congressional aide before being elected to Congress.
He went on to be elected Senator, climbing the ranks in the Senate to Majority Whip, the Senate Democratic Leader and finally Senate Majority Leader, the position he held when chosen as running mate for John F. Kennedy, after Kennedy also beat Johnson and others who were vying to be the Democratic candidate for president.

At age 23, he was appointed legislative secretary for newly-elected Congressman Richard Kleberg, Sr. Kleberg wasn't interested in the day to day duties of a Congressman, so he delegated them to Johnson, allowing Johnson to learn the job.

When Franklin Roosevelt was elected in 1932, Johnson was an immediate supporter of the New Deal set of domestic programs.

Was elected Speaker of "the Little Congress", a group of Congressional aides and staffers . This helped him cultivate valuable contacts, including Senator Sam Rayburn and members of President Roosevelt's staff.

In 1934 married Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor. She used her modest inheritance to bankroll his run for Congress. They had two daughters, Lynda Bird and Luci Baines Johnson.

In 1935 was hired as the Texas State Administrator for Roosevelt's National Youth Association. Highly successful in the job, he travelled the state, enlisting 18,000 young people to work on projects such as roads and bridges. He quit after 2 years to run for Congress.

Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 10th Congressional district of Texas, comprised of Austin and the surrounding hill country.

Served on the House Naval Affairs Committee, through which he planned a training base in Corpus Christi, Texas as well as shipbuilding operations in other parts of Texas. As a member of the House he was also useful to President Roosevelt in providing insight into the state of Texas politics and Texas politicians, particularly House Speaker Sam Rayburn.

Sponsored multiple bills in the House to benefit Texas, including cheaper electricity for famers under the new Rural Electrification Administration, approval of the Mansfield Dam, public housing, soil conservation, and expanded credit for farm loans.

Ran for the US Senate following a special election after the death of Senator Morris Sheppard. Narrowly defeated by W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel, who was governor at the time. When O'Daniel declined to run again in 1948, Johnson ran again, winning the Democratic primary by just 87 votes.

Already a member of the U.S. Naval Reserve, Johnson requested an indefinite leave from Congress and applied for active naval duty immediately after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. This made Johnson one of the first members of Congress to volunteer for an active military role.

In 1942 he was appointed President Roosevelt's personal representative of the navy. In this role he was deployed to the Pacifica Theater, stationed in Australia and New Zealand, where he was to report on underreported problems in the area.

Received the Silver Star for Gallantry in combat before Roosevelt recalled all active duty legislators, effectively ending Johnson's military career.

Served as Senate Whip.

Served on the Senate Armed Services Committee, where he became concerned about America's ability to counteract the Soviet Union in the Cold War.

Elected Senate Minority Leader in 1953, the most junior senator to ever win the position. In that role, he revised the seniority system so senators were chosen for committees based on expertise, not seniority.

When Democrats gained the majority in the Senate in 1954, Johnson won reelection and became Senate Majority Leader. President Eisenhower found Johnson more cooperative than the Republican Minority Leader.

He has been called the most effective Senate Majority Leader in history, incredibly adept at gathering information to influence votes, sometimes going so far as to send senators on NATO missions overseas to ensure they wouldn't be present for key votes.

Helped establish the Senate Aeronautical and Space Committee, serving as its first chair.

A heavy smoker (often 3 packs a day), Johnson quit smoking in 1955 when, at age 46, he suffered a near-fatal heart attack.

Decided to run for president in 1960 but opted to not engage in the primaries, instead counting on his influence in the party to win at the convention. He did finally enter the race late, and tried to form a coalition against fellow Democratic candidate, but failed, underestimating the power of Kennedy's charm versus Johnson's image as a crass wheeler-dealer. Even on the floor of the convention he was counting on rallying in later votes,, which didn't occur. Kennedy was the candidate, but he defied his own advisors by selecting Johnson as his running mate to secure Southern votes.

Was elected to a third term as Senator at the same time as he was nominated as candidate for Vice-President. He was not sworn in as Senator, and a special election was held to replace him.

Served as Vice President under President John F. Kennedy.

President Kennedy and his staff had open contempt for Johnson, disliking his brusque, crude demeanor, but Kennedy knew Johnson's deep connections made him a dangerous man to cross, so he was given minor things to handle to keep him busy.

Achievements as President

Sworn in as president when predecessor John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

Established the Warren Commission, led by Chief Justice Earl Warren, to investigate the assassination of President Kennedy.

In his campaign for reelection in 1964, Johnson won in a landslide, winning the highest percentage of votes for any American presidential candidate in history and the largest share of the popular vote for the Democratic Party.

Put forward wide-ranging domestic policies collectively known as "The Great Society," which represent the peak of American liberalism in the 20th century. These policies included a "War on Poverty," provision of public broadcasting, improving access to health care, government aid for education and the arts, consumer protection, increased public services, and improved environmentalism.

Signed the Revenue Act of 1964, making President Kennedy's plan of a massive tax cut a reality. Individual income tax rates were cut by approximately 20 percent, top marginal tax rates were cut from 91 to 70 percent, and corporate tax rates were reduced slightly.

Signed the Social Security Amendments of 1965, creating Medicare and Medicaid.

Enacted the Higher Education Act of 1965, establishing federally funded student loans. He said he was inspired to do this because of the memory of the Mexican-American children he taught English to prior to his career in politics. It bothered him that they would never go to college.

Signed the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, ending the limits on immigration from Eastern Europe and Asia. This Act was based on a previous draft by President Kennedy.

Signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968, making further protections against racial discrimination.

Made the Apollo Moon Landing, a challenge posed by President Kennedy, a national priority. The landing finally occurred in 1969, during the first term of President Nixon.

Won approval from Congress to create the Department of Transportation. The department is comprised of the Commerce Department's Office of Transportation, the Bureau of Public Roads, the Federal Aviation Agency, the Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration, the Civil Aeronautics Board, and the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Signed over 300 environmental conservation measures into law, including the Clean Air Act of 1963, initially proposed by President Kennedy, limiting hazardous emissions.

Signed the Wilderness Act, establishing the National Wilderness Protection System.

Signed a law establishing the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

First Lady Lady Bird Johnson spearheaded the Highway Beautification Act, limiting signage along roadways and restricting the proximity of junkyards near roadways. The Act was passed by the House and Senate and signed into law by President Johnson.

Signed the Gun Control Act of 1968, prohibiting the sale of guns through the mail, and preventing convicted felons and the mentally ill from owning weapons.

When Civil War broke out in the Dominican Republic, Johnson sent 20,000 Marines to the area, not to aid either side, but to get Americans out and restore order.

Signed multiple nuclear treaties with the Soviet Union and other nations, aimed at preventing the spread and use of nuclear weapons. This was part of a greater effort to calm relations with the Soviet Union, in the wake of increased tensions during President Kennedy's term.

Made 11 international trips to 20 countries as president, including the first presidential trip around the world.

Appointed two justices to the Supreme Court, Abe Fortas and Thurgood Marshall.

Failures

Had no Vice President for his first term.

While it was a term used as early as 1963, during President Kennedy's term, the phrase "credibility gap" came into widespread use in 1965, used to describe the difference between what Johnson said was happening in the Vietnam War, and what could be verified. The term has continued ever since, used when politicians state easily disproven lies about any given situation.

Johnson drastically increased America's involvement in Viet Nam, following the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964. Escalating to a full scale war, Johnson assured the country that enemy losses outnumbered American casualties, and that we were winning the war, when in reality, the war was effectively at a stalemate. Johnson's war policy resulted in the resignation of Defense Secretary of Robert McNamara and even his mistress of 30 years left him due to his war policy.

While Johnson had near-complete support at the beginning of his term, this gradually ebbed, due to the highly unpopular Vietnam War and the increasing numbers and size of race riots. While he initially planned to run for reelection in 1968, his performance in the New Hampshire primaries was weak, so he ruled out any attempt at reelection, famously declaring on television, "If nominated I shall not run. If elected I will not serve." By pulling out of the race, Johnson increased his approval rating from 39 to 49 percent.

Johnson's use of military force to get Americans out of the Dominican Republic and restore order during their civil war resulted in widespread resentment in Latin America. And because he was so focused on Viet Nam, his interest in the area in general quickly waned.

When Chief Justice Earl Warren announced his retirement, Johnson nominated Justice Abe Fortas, whom Johnson had appointed himself just three years earlier, to succeed him. This appointment failed, stopped by filibuster in the Senate.

Controversies

A notoriously tough boss, Johnson was known to expect his staff to work long hours each day, and on weekends, as he did. His primary drive, according to biographers and those close to him, was power. He didn't worry about philosophy or ideology, he was primarily concerned about power.

While Johnson sponsored many bills beneficial to Texas while he was in Congress, Johnson also typically steered projects toward contractors he knew personally, namely Herman and George Brown, who in turn financed much of his career.

During his time in Congress, Johnson was vehemently opposed to civil rights legislation, as was typical of Southern Democrats at the time. He voted against legislation outlawing lynching and the poll tax and voted against the Fair Employment Practice Committee, despite its support by President Roosevelt.

While General Douglas MacArthur himself presented Johnson with the Silver Star for gallantry in combat, presumably for courage under fire when a flight he was on was attacked by the Japanese, there is no evidence there were any Japanese fighters in the area that day, and it's widely speculated that he was never in combat or in danger during the war, though Johnson liked to say he was.

Johnson won the Democratic primary for Senator in 1948 and went on to win the general election, but the primary vote was highly controversial, with wide reports of election fraud. The vote count, handled by the Democratic State Central Committee, took a week. Johnson won by a margin of 87 votes. based on 200 votes that were described as "patently fraudulent."  608  ballots were reported six days after the election from Box 13 in Jim Wells County, in an area dominated by political boss George Berham Parr. These votes were in alphabetical order and written with the same pen and handwriting, at the end of the list of voters. In an ensuing investigation, some of those voters insisted that they had not voted that day. In 1977, election judge Luis Salas said he had certified 202 fraudulent ballots, 200 for Johnson. Later, Johnson biographer Robert Caro wrote that Johnson had stolen the election in Jim Wells County, and that there were thousands of fraudulent votes in other counties as well, including 10,000 votes switched in San Antonio.

Used his influence in the Senate to obtain broadcast licenses in his wife's name, allowing him significant control over what radio and television stations he controlled in Texas said.

Knowing the role of Vice President is typically ineffective, barring any duties assigned by the president, Johnson sought power and authority outside of the role, including trying to transfer the power of the Senate Majority Leader to the Vice President. It was a futile attempt, opposed by even members of the Democratic Caucus. Johnson also made attempts to grant himself more influence in the White House, including having an office located next to the Oval Office. These attempts were largely blocked by President Kennedy, who preferred relying on his advisors, particularly his brother, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.

Johnson was worried that the shooting of President Kennedy might be one of several attacks staged by the Soviets or Cubans, so he flew back to the White House immediately rather than staying in Dallas to oversee the investigation.

Because the assassination was in Dallas, and Johnson's home state was Texas, which he served as a Senator, and because Johnson supposedly wanted to escalate action in Viet Nam while Kennedy had begun pulling troops out just the month before, some allege Johnson was involved in a plot to kill the president.

When the Warren Commission, established by Johnson to investigate the assassination of President Kennedy, concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone and was the sole shooter, Johnson publicly agreed with the conclusion but privately expressed doubts.

When Johnson signed the bill cutting taxes nationwide in 1964, it spurred a period of economic growth. However, heavy spending on the Vietnam War and on domestic programs contributed to a rising budget deficit, as well as inflation that would continue past his term, into the 1970s.To counter this, Johnson signed a second tax bill, the Revenue and Expenditure Control Act of 1968, which increased taxes but cut spending, producing a budget surplus

While he was an outspoken animal lover, Johnson (in)famously would pick up his beagle by the ears, stating the howling noise it made when he did so was squeals of joy.

Known as "Master of the Senate" when he served as Senator and Majority Leader, Johnson used many tactics to assert dominance over those whose actions he wanted to control. These actions were often crude, but effective. A common one he used as President was holding meetings with staff while he was using the toilet. Defecating. The staffers were understandably and noticeably uncomfortable, putting them at a disadvantage.

While Johnson was Vice President, a scandal erupted involving the secretary to the Senate Majority Leader, a known associate of Johnson's. A Senate investigation ensued, with implications indicating the secretary was providing kickbacks to Johnson. The secretary resigned, and it was rumored Kennedy would replace Johnson as nominee for Vice President when he ran for reelection. However, when asked directly if that was the case, Kennedy said he planned to retain Johnson as his running mate.

Johnson's set of domestic programs and "War on Poverty" were meant to elevate low-income families and improve their quality of life, particularly minorities. However, it is widely alleged that he ultimately made things worse. Programs such as welfare have made it more desirable to not be married and not have fathers living in the home because more benefits are given to single mothers of multiple children. Benefits are also taken away if conditions start to improve, effectively keeping families dependent and poor forever.

It has been alleged, by one reporter who interviewed a steward on Air Force One, that after he signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Johnson said, "I'll have those niggers voting Democratic for the next 200 years." There is no recording of this statement, just the testimony of those involved, however, Johnson is known to have used racial slurs regularly. It is known that Johnson said to White House aide and future journalist Bill Moyers, in regards to the signing, "I think we just delivered the South to the Republican Party for a long time to come," a prediction that has turned out to be true.

Continued President Kennedy's policy of wiretapping and surveilling Dr. Martin Luther King. He also began wiretapping other people of interest, such as Vietnamese friends of an associate of former Vice-President (and presidential candidate) Richard Nixon.

While not a great artist by any means, Johnson was known to doodle during meetings, as many presidents have. A consistent theme of his doodles was to draw caricatures of staffers and others in the meeting who were boring him, or whom he thought were stupid, which was often the case. In addition to drawing them in comical ways, he would also frequently portray them as being attacked by his penis.

As reported in the Oliver Stone series "The Untold History of the United States," Johnson often had an adversarial relationship with his military advisors, who wanted to escalate the use of force to counteract communism around the world. Johnson summarized this by saying, "I'm surrounded by idiots who want to start World War Three!"

Was known to have many affairs during his marriage, most notably with socialite Alice Marsh, who was effectively Johnson's mistress from 1934 until the mid 1960s, when she split up with him due to his policies in Viet Nam. Johnson's wife knew of these affairs and said she was "openly humiliated" by them. At one point, Johnson bragged that he slept with more women than his predecessor, John F. Kennedy, a notorious ladies' man.

After witnessing the inauguration of his successor, Richard Nixon, Johnson got into the limousine to leave and pulled out a cigarette, the first he would smoke in over a decade. His daughter pulled it away from him and he took it back saying, "I raised you two girls, I served as president, now this time is for me!" He resumed his cigarette habit, suffered several more heart attacks, and was dead in less than 5 years.

Next: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter