LAWN CHAIR STAFF MEETINGS
Mrs. Johnson recalls: "It was always Lyndon's favorite time, particularly around sunset, from the earliest spring until cold weather drove us in. And we have lots of interesting pictures in this front yard. I remember Adlai Stevenson, and the Speaker, Mr. Rayburn and Lyndon. And indeed, I remember President Truman's visit. I think he was here at least twice. Once was for the barbecue that we had for President Lopez-Mateos of Mexico down there in the grove on the river. He would have a long table and we have lots of pictures of the Chiefs of Staff, and Bob McNamara and MacGeorge Bundy, Lyndon all sitting out here doing business and General Westmoreland and various other people. And December was always the month of the budget. Whoever was in charge of the budget, they would come and stay days and days and they would work night and day. And even in December, there are mild days and frequently a part of that would be here. And the Washington shuttle, as we laughingly called it, a plane from Washington that would come down bringing a secretary of whatever department, McNamara of Defense or Freeman of Agriculture or Udall of Interior, to speak his piece for the needs of his particular department and, therefore, a lot of the work followed him." Lyndon Johnson was educated at a relatively small school called Southwest Teacher's college in San Marcos, and he sometimes felt insecure about his education around the Ivy-leaguers and intellectuals that he dealt with in Washington. He liked to have his staff meetings under the stately live oak in the front yard of the ranch house and discuss the issues of the day ranging from the Vietnam War and Civil Rights to new grasses for the ranch. Many of his advisors were unfamiliar with Texas ranches and would have to defer to the President on these issues. Here on his home turf he had what sports fan call the "home field advantage". He was more confident in persuading or twisting arms.
