It was a moment the Democrats had long dreaded: the opening of the U.S. Senate debate on the natural gas bill passed last year by the House. In passionate support of the bill were Democratic Senators from such gas-producing states as Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas. In furious opposition were Democratic Senators from such gas-consuming states as Illinois, Minnesota. The prospect of a Democratic bloodletting was eminently pleasing to Republicans, who figured they had only to sit back and enjoy the spectacle. They reckoned, however, without the healing hand of Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson.
Soothing Words. Texan Johnson was himself in the...