What Does it Take to be a Great President?

 

{By Daniel Wang, Anthony Cao, Sam Ramawickrama}

Lyndon Johnson

 

 

 

Where I Live(ed):

 I was born in Gillespie County, Texas

 

About Me:

I'm Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President of the United States. Although intimidating, I'm a nice guy. Just don't fight me or my policies, and I'll be your friend.

 

Date of Birth: 

August 27, 1908

 

Date of Death:

January 22, 1973

 

Sex:

Male

 

Political Views: 

Democratic

 

Religious Views:

Disciples of Christ

 

Years Served as President: 

November 22, 1963 - January 20, 1969

 

Status:

Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Johnson

 

Children: 

Lynda Bird Johnson, Luci Baines Johnson

 

Looking for: 

Friendship, just for fun, social reform

 

Occupations:

Teacher, Politician  

 

Interests/Hobbies:

• Raising cattle
• Writing memoirs
• Watching over the library being built, Johnson Library, in Austin, Texas.

 

Education:

• I started my education in a one-room school near my home. Later, in 1913, I moved to Johnson City, because the family farm was shut down, where I continued with first grade.
• I graduated from Johnson City High School in 1921, and was an aspiring leader- head of my school debate team, and senior class president.
• Afterward, I enrolled in Southwest Texas State Teachers' College, but soon ran into financial trouble and could not continue there.
• Later, in 1930, I graduated with my bachelors' degree while working part time.

 

Favorite Books:

The Vantage Point: Perspectives of the Presidency, 1963-1969 (1971)

 

Favorite Movies:

The Apartment

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

 

Favorite Music:

The Rolling Stones

The Animals

 

Friends:

Senator Fulbright

Franklin D. Roosevelt

John Nance Garner

Sam Rayburn

Sports:

• Fishing        
• Hunting
• Riding

 

During my stint as president, the political, social and economic factors and challenges that I had to deal with (at home) included:

 

Political

• I was a driving force behind what would become the 24th Amendment to the Constitution, banning poll taxes in federal elections that previously disfranchised the people of the lower class.
• Later, I also campaigned heavily for the legal voting age to be changed from 21 to 18 (26th Amendment)
• I also enforced a New Civil Rights that was passed upon the people of the United States.

 

Social

• I played a major part in the lunar space missions after John F. Kennedy.  During my term of office, 3 Americans had been sent into space.

• In 1965, I started The Great Society program that improved education, medicare, urban renewal,  conservation of nature, and a major fight against poverty.

• Through my influence and persuasion, I was able to help break the deadlock in the Senate regarding civil rights, and eventually was able to push through the Civil Rights Act of 1964, making discrimination illegal in public accomodations, employment, schools, and offered heavy punishment to those who violated this law. Also, gender was included in the bill, such that women were not discriminated against either.

 

Economic

• In 20 August 1964, I made the Economic Opportunity Act, which was to help people in poverty, I liked to call it the"war on poverty".
• The Opportunity Act created a "domestic Peace Corps" to aid depressed areas in the United States. Furthermore, many of the volunteers who participated were part of the Service to America (VISTA).
• The Job Corps was created to help the unemployed.  Also, this Corp helped deprived children caused by the cultural disadvantages.

 

During my stint as president, the political, social and economic factors and challenges that I had to deal with (abroad) included:

 

Political

• I countined to follow in Roosevelt's footsteps and expanded on the foreign-policy and military programs abroad.
• I tried to avoid the vietnam war, because i have experianced first hand the distruciton and devistation of war.
• I have also tried to let the Asian countries cettlee theVietnam issue when I clearly said, ""We are not about to send American boys nine or ten thousand miles from home to do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves."

 

Social

• I helped over throw communist governments brewing abroad in countrys mostly in latin america
• I beilived that if we helped encourage the social reform in vietnam then, we could have a better world. And help the people of vietnam.

• I doubled the military force in vietnam which then affected the vietnamese people because they had to deal with the american forces.

 

Economic

• I had to face the financial troubles that the Vietnam War brought upon the economy.
• I had to balance financial issues both domestically and internationally.
• I had to fund a sufficient amount of money to the Navy in order to deal with Fidel Castro [the dictator of Cuba].
• I had to also supply more money towards the maintaince of the naval base in Gantanamo Bay.

 

Looking back at my presidential career, I had to wear several "hats."  Wearing these different "hats," these were my most significant achievements and failures:

 

Commander-in-Chief

As commander-in-chief i was very forceful with my decisions. I had tried to evade the war in Vietnam, but failed to do so.  As a result of my failure, many young Americans suffered death because Congress would not prevent the American from waging war.

 

Chief Executive

As Chief Executive, I was poorly represented.  Many people did not know me well, but I had a very "in-your-face" and stubborn attitude.  I believe this is the strong independent attitude that America should have, but the voters thought otherwise.

 

Chief Diplomat

As Chief Diplomat, I did fairly well trying to maintain peace.  My attempts to stop America from entering the Vietnam War turned out to be a right decision afterall.  I also sought out many peaceful solutions when competeing for the spread of Capitalism against other Communist countries. 

 

Ceremonial Head of State

As with my job as being the Ceremonial Head of State, I was a decent communicator.  I kept the media informed about American issues and tried to pursuade many not to get involved in the Vietnam War.

 

Manager of the Economy

Overall, I was somewhat successful when managing the economy.  My Economic Opportunity Act was given $948 million and brought about many jobs and impoved the quality of life.

 

Party Leader

As party leader, I dealt the political games within the Democrat party.  Many people tried to overthrow me because I supposedly "got in their faces".

 

National Leader

As national leader, I played a major role in dettering America from the horrendous Vietnam War.  I knew that it would be unsuccessful at the cost of many American lives.  I sought out a way of peace and prevent the spread of Communism, but I was not as successful as most presidents when America entered the Vietnam War.

 

 

Favorite Quote About Me by a Famous Historian:

"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds..." - Emerson

 

Favorite Foods:

Spinach Soufflé, Ice Cream Pancakes

 

Positive Political Cartoon

 

Negative Political Cartoon

 

Works Cited:

 

Cooke, Jacob E. "Washington, George." Presidents: A Reference History. Ed. Henry F. Graff. 3^rd ed. Detroit: Charles      Scribner's Sons, 2002. 1-     21. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. International Academy High School. 30 Apr.      2008 <http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=GVRL&u=lom_inac>. 

 

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