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Edited on Sun Feb-15-04 09:18 AM by RatTerrier
It looked like they had LBJ down well. The actor didn't look a lot like him, but he was very convincing.
There are some similarities. The main difference is, despite his flaws, LBJ, unlike Bush, was a real hard-ass that also a very powerful leader. I've done some reading on him, since I do find LBJ to be very fascinating, despite his flaws.
He was a tough, skillful politician. A towering figure that used physical intimidation to get his way (leaning into people closely when he talked, colorful language, etc.). He was also pretty intelligent. He did seem to fall into the BS that his subordinates were feeding him.
And, unlike Bush, he actually had the stones to throw in the towel on his political career when Vietnam started to escalate and he developed reservations about it.
Vietnam killed LBJ's presidency. And too bad, because few other presidents went as far as he did toward eliminating poverty and racism through the programs of the "Great Society".
LBJ is an intriguing individual, particularly when you view his flaws that were his inevitable undoing. If he were a neocon Repug, he would be the scariest man alive. Sure glad he was on our side.
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