Part 5 Chapter 36 Summary

In the fall of 1956, international crises moved Americans to rally behind their incumbent warrior president and Eisenhower buried his opponent in the Electoral College. Democrats, however, hung on to both houses of Congress, so LBJ seemed assured of retaining his job as Majority Leader. LBJ, however, had sunk into one of his black depressions. Lehman questioned LBJ's ability to lead the Senate in an era when principle had to prevail over party unity and LBJ knew he would have to join the fight for civil rights or lose any chance of being president, but he could not afford to lose his southern base.

LBJ was convinced liberals hated him, despite reassurances that they were merely displeased with his positions and conduct on key issues. LBJ used charm to convince them of his total altruism and the brilliance with which he overcame...