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greatauntoftriplets

(179,490 posts)

3. He also knew what skeletons were in various congressional closets.

Wed Sep 27, 2017, 09:59 AM

Sep 2017

And wasn't afraid to use them. LBJ spent his years in the Senate and as VP schmoozing his colleagues on Capitol Hill and how to sway them. His gregarious personality was a formidable tool.

It's just too damn bad that Vietnam was his downfall. No one could have solved that morass, in much the same way that we're seeing today in Afghanistan and Iraq. He was otherwise a truly great president.

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What would LBJ do to pass health care reform? [View all] ehrnst Sep 2017 OP

So interesting! Madam45for2923 Sep 2017 #1

There's a lot that can be said about Johnson, some good, some bad, but he knew how Congress worked Arkansas Granny Sep 2017 #2

If only Congress still worked like that. Orsino Sep 2017 #4

Actually, it's a matter of costs. He had to lie about it ehrnst Sep 2017 #6

No, it's really not a matter of costs. Orsino Sep 2017 #8

Um... Yes, Medicare and Medicaid would not have been passed if he had not lied about the costs. ehrnst Sep 2017 #9

Sure. But the OP asked how Zombie LBJ would pass healthcare reform *now*. Orsino Sep 2017 #10

No, actually how zombie LBJ would pass health reform in 2009. ehrnst Sep 2017 #14

We *know* that cost is an excuse as well as a factor. Orsino Sep 2017 #17

A low CBO score is not an "excuse" ehrnst Sep 2017 #18

You're talking honest numbers. Orsino Sep 2017 #25

Are you saying that the CBO would not be honest? ehrnst Sep 2017 #27

Not at all. CBO has some of the best data and analysis. Orsino Sep 2017 #31

I was talking about the first repeal attempt ehrnst Sep 2017 #32

Oh. Even there I would disagree that the CBO was a big factor. Orsino Sep 2017 #35

The CBO score was the main talking point in the media... ehrnst Sep 2017 #36

Yes. I just doubt it was a big deal. Orsino Sep 2017 #48

What do you define as "a big deal" in terms of taking a bill ehrnst Sep 2017 #51

I have no data suggesting that it was the CBO score, or reporting on it... Orsino Sep 2017 #64

You said that you thought that people weren't paying attention to the CBO numbers ehrnst Sep 2017 #66

I think the news covered the basic facts pretty well... Orsino Sep 2017 #67

So "unimportant" that theCBO number of uninsured by 2020 were included in the headlines? ehrnst Sep 2017 #68

Yep. n/t Orsino Sep 2017 #69

In the case of Johnson, I think it was more a matter of hiding the truth than outright lying. George II Sep 2017 #12

"Supressing the costs" I think counts as a lie. ehrnst Sep 2017 #15

"He got things done." Exactly. He was a tremendous big thinker and doer. Hortensis Sep 2017 #47

He had functional majorities in both houses Voltaire2 Sep 2017 #60

He also knew what skeletons were in various congressional closets. greatauntoftriplets Sep 2017 #3

One would have to have known those other politicians to know what skeletons there were ehrnst Sep 2017 #11

Sigh, that kind of power should be available. greatauntoftriplets Sep 2017 #13

It requires relationship building, not simply yelling and dominating the conversation. ehrnst Sep 2017 #20

LBJ worked hard to build consensus. greatauntoftriplets Sep 2017 #40

"one would have to make friends, alliances and work in a team". JHan Sep 2017 #50

Johnson was a master at compromise NastyRiffraff Sep 2017 #5

Politicians who show distain of actual politic-ing aren't usually very effective at the job. ehrnst Sep 2017 #7

Yes. Compromise and finding common ground is key. For the life of me, I'll NEVER understand... NurseJackie Sep 2017 #16

Taking the "progress" out of "progressive" doesn't ehrnst Sep 2017 #19

Do you mean when he was Majority leader of the Senate? jalan48 Sep 2017 #21

No, he passed it when he was president, and this was written in 2009 ehrnst Sep 2017 #23

Sounds like Sanders needs to get elected President and use that power to get things done. jalan48 Sep 2017 #24

Perhaps if he was more like LBJ and Obama, he would be successful at that. (nt) ehrnst Sep 2017 #26

We shall see. No word from him on 2020 yet. jalan48 Sep 2017 #28

You think he will become more like LBJ and/or Obama in the meantime? (nt) ehrnst Sep 2017 #29

You mean LBJ and Obama when they were in the Senate? jalan48 Sep 2017 #30

Yes, and when they ran for POTUS. (nt) ehrnst Sep 2017 #33

We're back to LBJ being Majority leader of the Senate-a position of power which Sanders does not jalan48 Sep 2017 #34

I was talking about the characteristics that got them respect ehrnst Sep 2017 #37

Actually you're doing an apples and oranges thing. jalan48 Sep 2017 #38

Actually you are... ehrnst Sep 2017 #39

Not really. You're ignoring the power relationships going on in your comparison. jalan48 Sep 2017 #43

You are bending over backwards to avoid the question in any way you can think of. ehrnst Sep 2017 #44

LOL-pretzel logic. jalan48 Sep 2017 #45

Whatever makes you feel better about avoiding the question... ehrnst Sep 2017 #46

I would politely suggest that like LBJ GulfCoast66 Sep 2017 #55

my take. JHan Sep 2017 #56

Hear, hear. (nt) ehrnst Sep 2017 #57

Obama spent all of three years in the Senate. Voltaire2 Sep 2017 #61

To clarify: ehrnst Sep 2017 #63

Threaten to show us his scar again? louis-t Sep 2017 #22

He'd lean on em and stare em down struggle4progress Sep 2017 #41

LOL! Or threaten to show them his scar... ehrnst Sep 2017 #42

the realities of politics, this is why experience is important..this is how you get shit done. JHan Sep 2017 #49

Forgot something atreides1 Sep 2017 #52

+1000 ehrnst Sep 2017 #53

He would increase the bombing rusty fender Sep 2017 #54

I was referencing Sanders' talking of LBJs achievement of Medicare and Medicaid ehrnst Sep 2017 #59

At least LBJ ended up wracked with guilt such that he wouldn't run for re-election. WinkyDink Sep 2017 #62

Great post, ehrnst. brer cat Sep 2017 #58

Nowadays? Possibly kick a few of them in the balls. LiberalFighter Sep 2017 #65