The Fresoency: A Different Man

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(See Cover) In Texas throughout Election Day, Lyndon Johnson, so overwhelmingly loquacious in past weeks, was understandably subdued. Now and then, as newsmen caught up with him, the President uttered only soft-toned commonplaces, totally noncommittal, often downright diffident. Only once was he caught off guard. Had he consulted with any of his political advisers? Replied he, in one of those remarks that somehow jar the image of the presidency: "The only political adviser I talked to I slept with."

"Hold Your Potatoes." On through the day, Lyndon and Lady Bird moved, almost ritualistically, as in a stately saraband. To the old Johnson homestead they went, to reminisce a while about Lyndon's boyhood and to sit in the porch swing. Later they visited at the ranch of A. W. (Judge) Moursund, Lyndon's old friend and trustee of his financial interests. The President sat slumped in a living-room chair for a while and watched the election returns on television. Then, by helicopter, he and his party flew to Austin's Driskill Hotel, waded into the bedlam of newsmen, TV cameras and well-wishers who attended Johnson's every movement. Solemn, scarcely smiling, he shook hands with several people, at length slipped into a suite, where again he checked the TV election roundup. But Lyndon couldn't sit still. Periodically during the evening, he emerged into full view of waiting TV cameras. Now it was to the gubernatorial mansion to visit with Governor John Connally, now to the election headquarters of Senator Ralph Yarborough, now back to the Driskill, now to the Munici- pal Auditorium. Each time, reporters caught him to cadge a fresh word, a hint of triumph, and each time the President managed to wear a properly somber expression. Yes, he felt well. No, he would have no statement till later. "I'll have a statement if you'll just hold your potatoes," he said.

" 'I Cannot Fail.' " To many who watched him, Lyndon Johnson's mien was a fascinating thing to see. The man who was President-by-accident had suddenly realized that he was now President-by-choice, an achievement gained by whatever forces were at work for him during the campaign, but gained, nevertheless, on his own. Thus, as he stepped before the TV cameras at the Municipal Auditorium at 1:40 a.m., he spoke as a man confident of his powers to lead.