When people talk about the 1960s, they usually focus on the glamour of Camelot or the tragedy in Dallas. But there’s a massive, towering figure standing just slightly to the left of the frame in those old black-and-white photos. If you've ever wondered who was JFK's vice president, the answer is Lyndon Baines Johnson, often just called LBJ. He wasn't just a backup. He was a political powerhouse from Texas who, honestly, felt like a caged lion during his time in the vice presidency.
It’s one of the weirdest pairings in American history. You had John F. Kennedy, the polished, Harvard-educated Bostonian, and LBJ, a rough-around-the-edges Texan who grew up in a house without electricity. They didn't really like each other. In fact, their staffs basically hated each other. Bobby Kennedy, JFK’s brother, famously despised Johnson. Yet, without this "odd couple" alliance, the 1960 election might have gone very differently.
Why Lyndon B. Johnson Was the Pick
The 1960 Democratic convention was a mess. Kennedy had the momentum, but he knew he couldn't win the South on his own. He was Catholic—a big deal back then—and a Northern liberal. He needed a "balanced" ticket. Enter LBJ.
Johnson was the Senate Majority Leader. He was arguably the most powerful man in Washington at the time. When Kennedy offered him the VP slot, it shocked everyone. Most people thought Johnson would never take a "demotion" to a ceremonial role. But he did. Some say he did it because he knew it was his only path to the White House. Others think he was tired of the Senate grind.
The Strategy Worked
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- LBJ helped Kennedy carry Texas and several other Southern states.
- He brought gravitas to the ticket for older, more conservative voters.
- He bridged the gap between the "New Frontier" liberals and the old-school Democratic "Dixiecrats."
Basically, JFK got the presidency, and LBJ got a job he absolutely hated.
The Frustration of Being Number Two
Being who was JFK's vice president wasn't easy for a man used to running the show. Johnson was a workaholic who lived for power. In the Senate, he used "The Treatment"—a mix of physical intimidation and sweet-talking—to get bills passed. In the vice presidency, he was suddenly the guy who waited for the phone to ring.
The Kennedys didn't really use him. They gave him chairmanship of the Space Council and the Peace Corps Advisory Council, but LBJ felt these were "busywork." He tried to convince the Senate to let him keep presiding over Democratic caucuses even as VP, but his former colleagues basically told him to get lost. It was a humiliating "dethroning" for a man of his ego.
He felt like an outsider in the White House. The "best and the brightest" Kennedy advisors often made fun of his Texas accent and his crude manners behind his back. It's kinda heartbreaking when you read the history; Johnson was a man of immense talent being sidelined because he didn't fit the "look" of the administration.
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That Dark Day in Dallas
Everything changed on November 22, 1963. The world knows the story of the motorcade, but the perspective from the vice president’s car is often overlooked. LBJ was just two cars behind Kennedy when the shots rang out.
He was rushed to Parkland Hospital and later to Air Force One. In one of the most famous photos ever taken, Johnson is seen taking the oath of office in the cramped cabin of the plane, with a stunned and blood-stained Jackie Kennedy standing by his side. In an instant, the man who had been marginalized became the most powerful person on Earth.
The Transition to the Presidency
Johnson didn't just fill Kennedy's shoes; he used the tragedy to ram through legislation that Kennedy had struggled with. He told Congress that the best way to honor the late president was to pass the Civil Rights Act.
And he did.
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He used his legendary knowledge of the Senate to bully, cajole, and trade favors until the bill passed in 1964. He went on to create the "Great Society," launching Medicare, Medicaid, and the "War on Poverty." While his legacy is forever scarred by the escalation of the Vietnam War, his domestic achievements were massive.
Actionable Insights for History Buffs
If you want to understand the depth of this relationship, don't just stick to the history books. There are specific ways to see the "real" LBJ:
- Listen to the LBJ Tapes: Johnson recorded thousands of hours of phone calls. You can hear him whispering, yelling, and wheeling-and-dealing in real-time. It’s the closest thing to being in the room.
- Read Robert Caro: If you have the time, "The Years of Lyndon Johnson" series is the gold standard. Volume 4, The Passage of Power, covers his vice presidency and the transition after JFK's death in incredible detail.
- Visit the LBJ Library: Located in Austin, Texas, it houses the artifacts of this era and gives a much more nuanced view than the "crude Texan" stereotype.
Lyndon B. Johnson's time as who was JFK's vice president served as a high-pressure cooker that prepared him for one of the most tumultuous presidencies in American history. It was a partnership born of political necessity, defined by mutual suspicion, and ended by a national tragedy that forced LBJ to lead a country he wasn't sure was ready for him.