By Michael Beschloss
When Lydon Baines Johnson dedicated the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin on May 22, 1971, he promised openness and transparency. He described it as “History with the bark off.”
“There is no record of a mistake, or an unpleasantness, or a criticism that is not included in the files here. We have papers from 40, some very turbulent, years of public service, and we put them all here in one place, for friends and foes to judge.”
Taking Charge: The Johnson White House Tapes, 1963-1964 is “history with the bark off.” To appreciate how the bark came off, one needs to understand presidents and recorded conversations. FDR began the practice, Truman would not tolerate it, but President Dwight Eisenhower saw some benefits. Ike installed a Dictaphone recording device in the White House though he used it sparingly.
President Kennedy recorded some 250 hours of meetings and about 12 hours of telephone conversations. But when Johnson became President in November ’63, he not only kept the recording practice, he expanded it!
Beschloss tells us, “Johnson thus became the only President to record himself from his first month in office to the last. Between November 1963 and January 1969, LBJ taped about 9,500 conversations, totaling about 643 hours” (548). Johnson ordered these tapes sealed until 2023, but The John F. Kennedy Assassination Record Collection Act of 1992 . . . required the Johnson library to release the tapes (551), which the library began doing.
Taking Charge is a fascinating read, but it is even better when you hear Johnson in his own words, so get the Audible book because it is the actual tape-recorded conversations. Sadly, the Audible version is abridged, but it still provides an unprecedented view of Presidential leadership. Reaching For Glory is volume two of this series and covers the years 1964-1965.
Alan Brinkley, influential historian and academic, praised Beschloss’ work with these words, Taking Charge “gives us an incomparable picture of the character and style of one of the most remarkable personalities ever to inhabit the Presidency.” It does. I have spent more hours in this book and on this review than probably any other I have written.
About the author:
Michael Beschloss is the author of ten books on presidential history, including, most recently, Presidents at War. He was also editor of the bestseller Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy.
About Taking Charge, Beschloss notes, “By creating this book, I have listened to virtually every Johnson White House tape for the period from November 1963 through August 1964—often many times—and have personally transcribed most of the conversations that appear here. The author does the reader a two-fold service of (1) providing explanatory footnotes introducing conversations or providing other contextual assistance, and (2) providing a “Cast of Characters” (554-558), which helps the reader not familiar with the times to know the position of the individuals in the conversations.
About Lyndon Baines Johnson:
“Power corrupts—that has been said and written so often that it has become a cliché. But what is never said, but is just as true,” notes Robert Caro, “is that power reveals” (Caro, Master of the Senate, p. xxi). Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th President of the United States (1963 – 1969) utilized his power for good and ill. He presided over the Civil Rights Act of 1964, bringing changes unseen since the Fifteenth Amendment some eighty-seven years earlier. He also was largely responsible for the American tragedy in Vietnam. LBJ was an enigma! He could be kind and he could be cunning. Vivacious and vicious. Caring and crass. Texas Governor, John Connally, friend and political colleague said this:
There is no adjective in the dictionary to describe Johnson. He was cruel and kind, generous and greedy, sensitive and insensitive, crafty and naive, ruthless and thoughtful, simple in many ways and yet extremely complex, caring and totally not caring; he could overwhelm people with kindness and turn around and be cruel and petty toward those same people. He knew how to use people in politics in the way nobody else could that I know of. As a matter of fact, it would take every adjective in the dictionary to describe him” (Updegrove, Indomitable Will: LBJ in the Presidency, 3).
Johnson was at times a very unlovable man who always wanted to be loved – and remembered. As Beschloss shows us, if there was one thing LBJ did not have to worry about, it was being forgotten. His White House tapes ensured that.
Leadership Lessons from Taking Charge:
I have invested hour upon hour working my way through the almost 600 pages of Taking Charge. For this review, I have identified thirteen quotes from this period in the Lyndon Johnson presidency that captured my attention, gave me a picture of presidential leadership, and from which I gleaned a lesson I can apply to my life and leadership. Here goes:
1. “Honeymoon is over . . .” (criticism)
It is Tuesday, December 3rd, 1963. Dean Rusk, the Secretary of the State, calls Johnson and says, “Wicked story in the US News & World Report this morning that was just absolutely wrong on that reception where you received the foreign dignitaries at the funeral...” LBJ: “They're [the Press} going to do this with us – with you and McNamara and Bundy and everybody. Honeymoon is over, and we're going to have a lot of it” (89).
Lesson: By the “honeymoon,” Johnson is referring to the brief appreciation he received navigating the national crisis at the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Now it is “business as usual.” He knows: Criticism is going to come. Expect it. Deal with it. As with many things Johnson, he expected it, but he didn’t like it. In August of 1964, facing the difficulties over race relations and negative press while in the midst of the Democratic Convention, he said to George Reedy (his Press Secretary), “And I know that a man ought to have the hide of rhinoceros to be in this job. But I don’t . . .” (530).
2. “I was just thinking of you.” (relationships)
One can only imagine the challenges of taking the presidency, especially during a national crisis (JFK’s assassination), a nation in mourning, a struggle for Civil Rights, and the growing conflict in Vietnam. Despite the long days and ceaseless responsibilities, LBJ takes time to call his friend John Connally, Governor of Texas, “I just want to tell you I loved you. I didn’t have thing in the world—was just thinking about you, and I wanted to be damn sure you were doing all right. And I hadn’t called you in two days because they been running me nuts up here.” Thursday, December 5, 1963 (91-92).
LBJ made similar calls to Eisenhower (131-133, “I just called you to tell you that I was thinking of you . . .”), the ailing Joseph Kennedy (“I just wanted to tell you that we miss you a lot, and we need you every day” March 30, 1964, 302-3), and with Jackie Kennedy (July 4, 1964) (452).
Lesson: There was some self-preservation in the Kennedy calls. LBJ was always at odds with Bobby Kennedy, so he worked to keep the rest of the Kennedy clan close. Nevertheless, the importance of maintaining close relationships stands out: Relationships precede everything. Stay in touch with your friends!
3. “A blur of fatigue is rather settling in with me . . . ” (energy)
It is Thursday, December 17, 1963. Lady Bird Johnson, who maintained a steady diary by dictating into her “speaking machine,” writes, “a blur of fatigue is rather settling in with me.... my intake of life and my reaction to life is slow when my vitality is low, and it's within the last three days it's got to the point when... a reaction has set in” (105).
Lesson: Lady Bird’s fatigue is understandable. She’s gone from a rather quiet existence as wife of the VP to First Lady. She has always lived at Johnson’s beck and call, entertaining guests, preparing late-night meals, and putting up with his hectic schedule. She was a very smart woman, observant, with a keen political sense and an exceptional way with words. There’s a lesson here, a leader must pay attention to their own morale, but also that of their spouse. What is it that puts fuel back in your tank? Are you taking time for that?
4. “John, I’ve got a little problem.” (communication)
It is Thursday, January 16, 1964. LBJ has called John McClellan, Chairman, Senate Government Operations Committee, Democrat of Arkansas. Johnson is going to appoint Carl Rowan, a black journalist, as Director of the U.S. Information Agency. McClellan is a segregationist. LBJ does not want to embarrass him or get into a fight with him over Rowan. In their conversation, Johnson says, “I wouldn't expect you to endorse him or be for him, but . . . I didn't want to do it without you wondering why in the hell your friend didn't tell you. I don't want to make any fight on him or anything like that.... I know what your problems are.... I don't want you to cut his guts out because he's Negro. And I've seen you operate with a knife and I've seen a few people get de-nutted” (165).
Lesson: My friend and colleague, Dr. Lee DeRemer has often used the acronym BLUF: Bottom line up front. LBJ was a master of serpentine speech, but he was usually forthright! The lesson here: Be forthright. BLUF — Bottom line up front.
5. “I’m just catching hell every day.” (criticism)
It is Friday, March 6, 1964. LBJ is on the phone with former President Harry Truman. Johnson carries on a little chit-chat with the thirty-third president. Truman remarks that he hopes Johnson is getting along well. Then Truman says, “Well, I know you are.” To which LBJ replies, “I’m just catching hell every day. Truman responds, “That’s a sign that you’re doing the right thing. I’ve been through it [laughs]” (268-9).
Lesson: While leaders don’t go out of their way to find trouble, trouble has a way of finding them. Leadership is bearing up under criticism and opposition.
6. “You don’t ever participate in anything that is anti-Kennedy.” (loyalty)
It is Thursday, March 12, 1964. Johnson is talking with Clifton Carter about anti-Kennedy stories going around the National Democratic Committee. LBJ tells Carter, “You don’t ever participate in anything that is anti-Kennedy. Any of them . . . that does, fire ‘em” (285).
Lesson: For all his frustration about serving in the JFK White House as VP (“the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived” according to John Adams), and despite his on-going feud with Robert Kennedy, LBJ was very loyal to JFK and his memory. In his book This Time This Place, Jack Velenti records this incident:
To my knowledge, LBJ never uttered a single word of criticism of the president. At one point in 1963 Valenti was at LBJ's Texas ranch when an oil man began to rant about President Kennedy. Valenti recalls, “Suddenly [Johnson] pounded the table, sending glasses and plates clattering. “Let me make this clear” said LBJ, his tone low and menacing. “At my table no one, I mean no one, demeans the president. If you want to keep on talking, then you'll have to leave this room and this house.” Heavy silence descended on the room as its guests looked at their half-eaten food and toyed with their glasses (9-10).
The lesson, Respect your predecessor! Honor your predecessor.
7. “She’s always got the most discerning observations.” (team)
It is Saturday, March 21, 1964. LBJ is being interviewed by Isabelle Shelton, Special Reporter for the Washington Star. Shelton asks about Johnson’s mother and the conversation drifts to Lady Bird. Lady Bird Johnson is devoted to her husband though Johnson was not always devoted to her, but he has deep respect for his wife.
When Shelton asks about his mother’s help, Johnson says, “Oh yes, she helped me on everything until the day she died. . . . And my wife does too, on everything.... Bird can still write the best speech of anybody in the family. Her judgment is better on reading something and giving an it analysis. She can always tell you what she didn't like about the speech at the Armory the other night.... she's always got the most discerning observations” (295, also 281).
Lesson: Johnson was surrounded by many loyal people, none more so than Lady Bird. Mrs. Johnson’s discerning observations usually came “with the bark off” (Johnson speak for the unvarnished truth). One of my takeaways from this incident is this: Effective leaders know and utilize the strengths of their team. Johnson did not like criticism, but he gladly received it from Lady Bird and his close friend, Jesse Kellum. Listen to OMW.214 “Too Much Oil On Your Hair.”
8. “I counted up . . . ” (metrics)
It is Monday, March 9, 1964. Johnson is talking with Paul Miller, Chairman of the Board, Associated Press. LBJ is grumbling about the way the press has reported on the way he stages his press conferences, i.e. there are not enough of them. LBJ: “I counted up and I’ve been on television fourteen times in a hundred days. Kennedy had been on six. Eisenhower was on three. And I had about a dozen columns giving me hell for not being on television enough!” (274). In an April 7th conversation with Democratic Congressman Gillis Long, Johnson uses the latest Gallup Approval Ratings poll to compare himself with Eisenhower (309).
LBJ is the consummate counter. And while we see in a more vainglorious sense when he keeps track of the number of times he was on TV (274), or how often he was applauded in a speech (45, 153) or approval numbers (309), Johnson was very particular about counting votes.
To Abe Fortas, “I don’t know where we are going to get our five votes” (198).
To John McCormack, (angry and frustrated) “We ought to hire some people . . . that can get a count!” (327).
To Hubert Humphrey, “Hubert, tell me, do you have a reliable count on your cloture” (399). On Tuesday, June 9, 1964, the Senate had endured the longest debate in Senate history. Southern-led Democrats had filibustered for 83 days attempting to thwart the Civil Rights Bill of 1964. Johnson, who has been a vote counter all his life, speaks with Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey, knowing that he must have 67 votes for cloture (399).
Lesson: Leaders define reality. They know the essential information to which they must pay close attention. To Johnson, votes were reality. Years of political wrangling had taught him the importance of vote counting. He did it all the time. He had to know whose vote he had and didn’t. That knowledge helped set his agenda. Leaders monitor their dashboard of essential information. What are your “votes”?
9. “I got too many damn serious problems.” (the cost of leadership)
On Thursday, June 11, 1964, LBJ is seeking counsel from his mentor, Georgia Senator and fierce segregationist, Richard Russell. The conversation centers on the growing escalation in Vietnam. Johnson’s words to his friend are a crass but accurate summary of life in the White House.
On the day before, the Senate voted for cloture to end the epic Civil Rights filibuster. On Tuesday of that week, LJB had conversations with George Reedy at 10:16 A.M. about negative press about a commencement address he had given at Swarthmore College the previous day; Robert Kennedy about Vietnam and the Civil Rights Bill (12:25 P.M.), George Reedy on the negative press coming out that day in the Washington Star about Johnson’s finances (12:31 P.M.), John McCormack about an air strike in Laos (12:50 P.M.), Mike Mansfield about general advice on Vietnam (12:56 P.M.), Hubert Humphrey about Vietnam (1:06 P.M.), Carl Albert about the weekly Tuesday Democratic legislative leaders’ breakfast, (4:44 P.M.), Robert McNamara on Vietnam (6:20 P.M.), Hubert Humphrey, Senate Whip about votes for cloture (7:03 P.M.) (387-400).
On the heels of that kind of a day (not unusual at all for LBJ), one can understand why he says to Russell: “. . . I got too many damn serious problems.” On Monday, July 20, 1964, while navigating his commitment to civil rights with the backlash he is getting from Southern segregationists, he would say to Russell Long, Democratic Senator from Louisiana, “I’m trying my damnedest to walk the tightrope that I got to walk” (458-9).
Lessons: I want to highlight two lessons here. First, to remember all that we don’t see when one leads: sleepless nights, unending challenges, and criticism to name a few. I need to remember that before I make — as many do about LBJ or any leader — a sweeping judgment. Second, “let the buyer beware,” don’t sign up for a leadership post if you want to sit still. As my predecessor said, “It just comes at you.” You may not be the President, but any leadership post is going to carry its own kind of “relentless!”
10. “Lyndon played golf!” (rest)
On Sunday, April 5, 1964, Lady Bird dictated to her diary: “Something happened that I have been wanting to happen for about nine years or more, Lyndon played golf! . . . Maybe he’ll do it once a week and it would make a lot of difference for him . . . in health, in joy, in life” (307). Although Johnson is the man about whom Time reported was beer drinking while speeding across his ranch in Texas, LBJ didn’t play much golf and one can only assume that his lack of restorative time contributed to his poor health.
Lesson: Take time for what refuels you! LBJ is the man who said, “I seldom think of politics more than eighteen hours a day.” Politics consumed him. See my leadership tool, Churchill’s Paintbrush to discover the fuel that helps you lead with joy, stamina and peace.
11. “I’m just a trustee that’s trying to carry on the best that I can.” (stewardship)
Edward Kennedy had appeared on Meet The Press on Sunday, March 29, 1964. Johnson calls to congratulate him. LBJ wants to keep his Kennedy ties strong: “Nobody is going to come in between us. . . . ‘Cause I’m just a trustee that’s trying to carry on the best I can, and I’m aware of my problems and my limitations more than anybody else” (302).
Lesson: While some of this is probably pride grandstanding as humility, the truth is leadership is stewardship! The Apostle Paul asks this question of his friends in Corinth, “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7 ESV). Knowing all comes from God, leaders view themselves as stewards or managers of a trust God has given them. That is why Paul also writes, “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4:1 ESV).
12. “I shudder at getting too deeply involved there . . .” (fear)
It is Wednesday, May 27, 1964. At 10:50 A.M., LBJ talks with Adlai Stevenson, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. The conversation focuses on “this South Vietnam thing.” Johnson says, “I shudder at getting too deeply involved there, and everybody thinks that’s the only alternative” (363). Stevenson: “I’ve been shuddering on this thing for three years and I’m afraid that we’re in a position now where you don’t have any alternatives. And it’s a hell of an alternative. And it really gives me the shakes.”
Five minutes later, Johnson talks with Richard Russell of Georgia. “What do you think of this Vietnam thing? I’d like to hear you talk a little bit.” RUSSELL: It’s the damn worst mess I ever saw, and I don’t like to brag. I never have been right many times in my life. But I knew that we were going to get into this sort of mess when we went in there. And I don’t see how we’re ever going to get out of it without fighting a major war with the Chinese and all them down there in those rice paddies and jungles . . . I just don’t know what to do” (362-363).
Vietnam was Johnson’s undoing as a President. Like many of his day, he feared the “domino effect,” if we let Vietnam go to the Communists, it will be the first of many other nations succumbing to communism, which will fall like dominoes . . . with eventual bigger problems for the U.S. (365).
This conversation goes on for some time (363-370). Russell, for all his segregationist recalcitrance, saw Vietnam very clearly and very early. He said, “but I tell you it’ll be the most expensive venture this country ever went into.” He did not agree with the “brain trust” that felt the U.S. would “lose everything in Southeast Asia if we lose Vietnam.” (TRUE).
LBJ: “I've got a little old sergeant that works for me over at the house and he's got six children and I just put him up as the United States Army, Air Force, and Navy every time I think about making this decision and think about sending that father of those six kids in there. And what the hell are we going to get out of his doing it? And it just makes the chills run up my back” (369).
Lesson: What is the lesson here? I am vacillating. LBJ did not take us into Vietnam. We have Eisenhower and Kennedy to thank for that. LBJ did, however, escalate our role and that escalation jeopardized his Great Society vision and dashed his hopes of being on par with FDR in political impact. Rather than being loved, he was and is often vilified for the damage done in terms of lives lost, money “wasted,” and world esteem diminished. Books have been written on this, so I will only offer my opinion: Johnson allowed his fear of “What will people think if we pull out — the U.S. has never lost a war” overpower his fear of what he saw and heard would be — an unwinnable war. Am I self-aware enough to recognize my fear — and not give into it?
Lesson: 13. “Get me out of this, won’t you?” (responsibility)
It is Friday, June 19, 1964 (Juneteenth). Johnson has Vietnam on his mind, his never-ending quiet feud with and concerns over Bobby Kennedy, and (Beschloss says) that “LBJ is bracing for an anti-civil rights backlash across the nation.” White citizens had kicked and beaten civil-rights demonstrators in Florida, and MLK had been jailed in St. Augustine after trying to eat in a “white restaurant” (420 fn). Beschloss notes Lady Bird’s dictation to her diary. Summary: LBJ awakes at 5:30 A.M., read from his “Night Reading” envelope, did his exercises and then prepared to board the helicopter to go to California. “But as he got to the door, turned and came back, leaned over real close to me and whispered, ‘Get me out of this, won’t you?” (419).
Lesson: Johnson, when stressed, could and would slip into depressive moods. He often contemplated/threatened/promised/mused the thought of giving up the nomination for President in ‘64 (which he won by the greatest margin in modern history) and retiring to his Texas ranch. But he didn’t! He took responsibility, paid the price, and gave his best to help our country navigate some of the most difficult days in our history. Leaders do that, they take responsibility and do their best to get the job done.
Recommendation: I have gleaned much from Michael Beschloss and Taking Charge. The author, in sharing these conversations, has highlighted the importance of navigating transition. He has given me a clearer picture of how others viewed LBJ, and insights on Johnson’s great speeches. He has given me the beginnings of an LBJ lexicon, i.e. how Johnson used and abused the English language. Beschloss has painted how incredibly difficult the 60s were politically and for our nation. Beschloss has given us a valuable tool for understanding those times and the President who led the nation — for better and for worse — through those days. I highly recommend it (especially with the Audible book as your companion volume).
Notes:
I am indebted to the “Editor’s Note” in Taking Charge (547-553) for my summary of presidential recordings.
“There is no record . . .” from 'History With The Bark Off': LBJ Presidential Library Celebrates 50 Years’ KUT 90.5 | By Shelly Brisbin Published May 24, 2021 at 4:11 PM. In www.kut.org. Accessed January 11, 2023.
