When Texas' rangy Lyndon Johnson was elected Senate minority leader this month, some of his colleagues were suspicious, while others were sympathetic. He had to organize the Senate section of his battered and divided party for the unfamiliar role of opposition. Many a "liberal" Senator feared that Johnson would freeze out the Northerners. By last week, however, the sympathy and suspicion had turned to surprise and respect.
Johnson had seized the reins firmly, had launched his Senate organization harmoniously and effectively. He started off by naming Northerners to the only two vacancies on the powerful Policy Committee, and from then on gave...
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