Post by deltaforce on Mar 14, 2017 3:05:37 GMT
Robert Kennedy had extensive support for having him as Johnson's running mate in 1964, although Robert Kennedy and Johnson apparently hated each other. From Wikipedia:
In the wake of the assassination of his brother, Lyndon Johnson's ascension to the presidency and the office of Vice President now vacant, Kennedy was viewed favorably as a potential candidate for the position in the 1964 presidential election. Several Kennedy partisans called for him to be drafted in tribute to his brother, national polling showing that three of four Democrats were in favor of him as Johnson's running mate. Democratic organizers were supportive of his being a vice-presidential, write-in candidate in the New Hampshire primary. 25,000 Democrats wrote in Kennedy's name in March 1964, only 3,700 fewer than the number of Democrats who wrote in Johnson's name as their pick for president.[132]
Despite the fanfare within the Democratic Party, President Johnson had no inclination to have Kennedy on his ticket. The two men disliked one another intensely, with feelings often described as "mutual contempt" that went back to their first meeting in 1953, and had intensified during JFK’s presidency.[148][149] Johnson instead chose Hubert Humphrey to be his running mate.[132]
During a post-presidency interview with historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, Johnson claimed that Kennedy "acted like he was the custodian of the Kennedy dream" despite Johnson being seen as this after JFK was assassinated, arguing that he had "waited" his turn and Kennedy should have done the same. Johnson recalled a "tidal wave of letters and memos about how great a vice president Bobby would be" being swept upon him, but knowing that he could not "let it happen" as he viewed the possibility of having Kennedy on the ticket ensuring that he would never know if he could be elected "on my own".[150]
In July 1964, Johnson issued an official statement ruling out all of his current cabinet members as potential running mates, judging them to be "so valuable ... in their current posts". In response to this statement, angry letters poured in directed towards both Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird, expressing disappointment at Kennedy being dropped from the field of potential running mates.[150] Johnson, worried that delegates at the convention would draft Kennedy onto the ticket, ordered the FBI to monitor Kennedy's contacts, and actions there, and to make sure that he could not speak until after Hubert Humphrey was confirmed as his running mate.[132]
Despite the fanfare within the Democratic Party, President Johnson had no inclination to have Kennedy on his ticket. The two men disliked one another intensely, with feelings often described as "mutual contempt" that went back to their first meeting in 1953, and had intensified during JFK’s presidency.[148][149] Johnson instead chose Hubert Humphrey to be his running mate.[132]
During a post-presidency interview with historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, Johnson claimed that Kennedy "acted like he was the custodian of the Kennedy dream" despite Johnson being seen as this after JFK was assassinated, arguing that he had "waited" his turn and Kennedy should have done the same. Johnson recalled a "tidal wave of letters and memos about how great a vice president Bobby would be" being swept upon him, but knowing that he could not "let it happen" as he viewed the possibility of having Kennedy on the ticket ensuring that he would never know if he could be elected "on my own".[150]
In July 1964, Johnson issued an official statement ruling out all of his current cabinet members as potential running mates, judging them to be "so valuable ... in their current posts". In response to this statement, angry letters poured in directed towards both Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird, expressing disappointment at Kennedy being dropped from the field of potential running mates.[150] Johnson, worried that delegates at the convention would draft Kennedy onto the ticket, ordered the FBI to monitor Kennedy's contacts, and actions there, and to make sure that he could not speak until after Hubert Humphrey was confirmed as his running mate.[132]
