Part 4 Chapter 22 Summary

As Democratic Leader of the Senate, LBJ was one of the most prominent and influential Democrats in the country. Democrats were close to panic over Eisenhower's popularity. He had appeared statesmanlike even before the inauguration, touring the Korean front, rejecting any idea of an all-out offensive and declaring it his intention to bring the troops home. America liked Ike. The Republicans in control of the Senate, Taft and the Old Guard, however, did not share this sentiment and LBJ saw an opportunity in supporting Ike's policies against the right-wingers. Fighting for decades under FDR and Truman, Ike had de facto supported the internationalism that the Democrats' natural enemies now wanted to tear down. Rayburn and Russell both agreed with LBJ's assessment. Mr. Sam knew and liked Ike, admired his candor, truthfulness and judgment; he had already pledged to deliver ninety-five percent...