On November 22, 1963 at 12:30 p.m. John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States was fatally shot. Protocol required that Lyndon B. Johnson, Kennedy’s vice president, be sworn into office immediately. At 2:30 p.m., an hour and a half after John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead, Lyndon B. Johnson raised his right hand and placed his left on the bible and took the oath of office in Air Force One. As the newly widowed Jackie Kennedy stood right next to Johnson, American history was forever marked with that poignant moment. As America mourned the loss of their charismatic and optimistic president, they wondered what kind of successor Johnson would be. Johnson was never in Kennedy’s inner circle, he was selected to join Kennedy’s ticket
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He had high expectations of his role as vice president. He thought he was going to have a serious role in Washington, but instead he was purely ornamental. Regardless of his dissatisfaction, he was fiercely loyal to Kennedy. One issue that united Kennedy and Johnson was their passion for civil rights. The civil rights bill was first introduced by Kennedy and after Kennedy’s assassination, Johnson wanted to continue Kennedy’s efforts for equality. Johnson had the grave duty of transitioning from vice president to president under tragic circumstances. However, Johnson was renowned for his masterful ability to persuade and influence anyone. Johnson and his administration were very good at framing and passing legislation because of his twelve-year experience in the house of representatives, twelve years in the senate and three years as vice president. Johnson initiated the Great Society programs in 1964. These domestic programs aimed to improve education, provide medical care for the elderly, and most importantly eliminate poverty and racial injustices. Johnson operated the legislative process like a well-oiled machine. Although, he was skilled and equipped to handle the process, it still proved to be arduous, because he constantly faced hostility left and right from members in congress, media outlets, and the public. Senate minority leader Everett Dirksen said, “believe me, there’s not going to be a political truce” and only “financial legerdemain” would achieve all the president's’ goals.” (2) However, President Johnson had the stamina to withstand the backlash, and the uncooperativeness in congress. He was able to employ his political gamesmanship to manipulate congressmen in both parties and with the help of civil rights leaders such as Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., he was able to enact the Voting Rights Act of 1965. On August 6, 1965, marked another moment in
He had high expectations of his role as vice president. He thought he was going to have a serious role in Washington, but instead he was purely ornamental. Regardless of his dissatisfaction, he was fiercely loyal to Kennedy. One issue that united Kennedy and Johnson was their passion for civil rights. The civil rights bill was first introduced by Kennedy and after Kennedy’s assassination, Johnson wanted to continue Kennedy’s efforts for equality. Johnson had the grave duty of transitioning from vice president to president under tragic circumstances. However, Johnson was renowned for his masterful ability to persuade and influence anyone. Johnson and his administration were very good at framing and passing legislation because of his twelve-year experience in the house of representatives, twelve years in the senate and three years as vice president. Johnson initiated the Great Society programs in 1964. These domestic programs aimed to improve education, provide medical care for the elderly, and most importantly eliminate poverty and racial injustices. Johnson operated the legislative process like a well-oiled machine. Although, he was skilled and equipped to handle the process, it still proved to be arduous, because he constantly faced hostility left and right from members in congress, media outlets, and the public. Senate minority leader Everett Dirksen said, “believe me, there’s not going to be a political truce” and only “financial legerdemain” would achieve all the president's’ goals.” (2) However, President Johnson had the stamina to withstand the backlash, and the uncooperativeness in congress. He was able to employ his political gamesmanship to manipulate congressmen in both parties and with the help of civil rights leaders such as Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., he was able to enact the Voting Rights Act of 1965. On August 6, 1965, marked another moment in