The Presidency: State of the Union

Every few words were underlined for emphasis. Notations in the text said "Pause," "Look right," and "Look left." And like the onetime high school elocution teacher that he is, President Johnson delivered his first State of the Union message in a style that had oratorical flourish without sounding strident.

The President's aim was to convince Congress that his Administration will be frugal. As he revealed the big surprises of his speech, he stared straight out at such economy-minded legislators as Virginia's Senator Harry Byrd and House Republican Leader Charles Halleck. The fiscal 1965 budget that Johnson will send to Congress...

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