Part 5 Chapter 38 Summary

LBJ had his work cut out for him. A large majority of civil libertarian-minded senators in both parties would oppose his changes to the bill and if Russell, realizing the southerners were friendless, felt threatened by a comprehensive bill, he would begin filibustering as early in the legislative process as possible. To head this off, LBJ had to find at least eleven votes immediately that were willing to vote as a bloc with the southerners against cloture. This seemed impossible, given the climate of the day, but LBJ found a way. He would arrange a quid pro quo with northwesterners fighting for public control of the enormous power of the turbulent waters of the Snake River passing through Hells Canyon. The Eisenhower Administration had consistently blocked public construction of a dam and it had been a hot political issue in Idaho...