Part 2 Chapter 13 Summary

The greatest benefit LBJ reaped from the Olds affair was the recognition of his potential by Russell. In previous Senate skirmishes, LBJ had been a loyal foot soldier, but here he had been the battlefield commander and won a splendid victory over liberalism. The reclusive Georgian felt so warmly towards LBJ that he accepted an invitation to go hunting in November. They spent a week at "St. Joe," St. Joseph Island in the Gulf of Mexico, an exclusive and luxurious private resort. There, LBJ introduced Russell to powerful Texan friends who shared Russell's views on Communism, labor unions and civil rights. They got on famously. LBJ positioned himself to ask for Russell's help when he needed it.

The first half of 1950 was slow in the Senate. LBJ found himself ostracized by old friends at dinner parties and Truman grew frostier than...