The Presidency: Trouble in Four Syllables

THE PRESIDENCY

Lyndon Johnson could hardly deny that his relations with a number of congressional Democrats were, to put it mildly, strained. Last week the White House came up with a four-syllable, all-purpose word for the troublemakers.

To reports that L.B.J. had snubbed Indiana Senator Vance Hartke, Bill Moyers replied: "The President does not cease dealing with a Senator because he is obstreperous." Asked if Abba Schwartz, a veteran State Department official, had been forced to resign, Moyers blamed "obstreperous members of Congress" for rumormongering.

The President was plainly annoyed by the fuss over...