Oral history transcript, Lady Bird Johnson, interview 42 (XLII), 11/5/1994, by Harry Middleton

Title:

Oral history transcript, Lady Bird Johnson, interview 42 (XLII), 11/5/1994, by Harry Middleton

Number of Pages:

51

Description:

A Theta Sigma Phi breakfast in 1960; the Ladies for Lyndon movement; the Johnson daughters' activities; Luci's interest in religion; preparing for LBJ's political rise; public speaking; the Johnsons' connection to St. David's Episcopal Church in Austin; LBJ's ambivalence about becoming a presidential candidate in 1960; LBJ's opinion of Mormons; Perle Mesta; the Johnsons' opinion of Charles de Gaulle; false rumors that Mamie Eisenhower was an alcoholic; Mamie Eisenhower's interests and personality; protocol at government social events; decorator Genevieve Hendricks; the many people with whom the Johnsons socialized; Marjorie Merriweather Post; Lady Bird Johnson's interest in parties and other cultures; Mrs. Johnson's interest in cooking; the Johnson's African-American employees; Sunday meals at Senator Harry Byrd's home; Byrd's personality and interests; story of LBJ getting stopped for speeding on the way to the Byrd home; uses for the Sequoia; the Senate Ladies Club; decorating LBJ's office with items from the Capitol basement; the Congressional Club; Sam Rayburn's social status; the downing of a U-2 spy plane in the Soviet Union; the May 1960 primary election; Dorsey Hardeman and a bill passed in the Texas legislature to allow a person's name to be on the ballot for more than one office; Jefferson-Jackson Day dinners; Mrs. Johnson's ability to remember names; Hubert Humphrey's political defeat; the Women's National Press Club and May Craig; Mrs. Johnson's uncertainty regarding LBJ's rise in political stature; honorary degrees given to the Johnsons; Mrs. Johnson's friendship with Abigail McCarthy and Bethine Church; campaign-related trips around the country; Bob Waldron's work for LBJ and the generosity of other people who helped LBJ; meeting California Governor Pat Brown, his wife, Bernice, and Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies; India Edwards; friends such as Zendra Pipkin and Richard and Maureen Neuberger; LBJ's battle with Tom Miller over what Austin citizens had to pay for electricity; Luci's early education and dyslexia; Abe and Carol Fortas; Oveta Culp Hobby; the Johnsons' friendship with Billy Graham; Billy Graham's and the Johnsons' religious beliefs and backgrounds; Mrs. Johnson's relationship with the press; Charles and Jane Engelhard; the 1960 Democratic National Convention; LBJ's reluctance to fight for presidential candidacy in 1960; support for and disapproval of LBJ accepting the vice-presidential nomination, including the reactions of Sam Rayburn and John Connally; Lynda's location the day of LBJ's acceptance of the vice-presidential nomination; why LBJ accepted the nomination and Mrs. Johnson's reaction to it; animosity between LBJ and Richard Nixon.

Contributor:

Johnson, Lady Bird, 1912-2007

Collection:

LBJ Library Oral Histories

Collection Description:

Go to List of Holdings

Series:

Transcripts of LBJ Library Oral Histories

See Also:

See all online interviews with Lady Bird Johnson

Relation:

Go to Interviewee bio page

Rights:

Possibly copyright restricted: see deed at end of transcript for details