Part 5 Chapter 35 Summary

LBJ went to the Democratic convention in Chicago controlling the fifty-six votes of the Texas delegation that he chaired and seven southern states had adopted him as a "favorite son." Stevenson had won nearly all of the primaries he entered and was thought to be within striking range of the nomination; if only a couple of the large northern delegations switched to Stevenson as expected, he would have it. Kefauver held 202 votes and Harriman lagged far behind.

LBJ's last-minute passage of the Social Security bill failed to convince liberals he had changed; his ties to big business, cloakroom antics and record on other bills still left a sour taste in many mouths, as calls were being heard for the purification of political power. LBJ held back announcing his candidacy for fear of raising journalistic alarms. This tactic had the danger, however...