Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson (born August 27, 1908), often referred to by his initials LBJ, is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator for Texas that is infamous for his domineering personality and aggressive style of dealmaking. Currently a member of the Democratic Party in the Republican-Democratic Coalition. A firm supporter of Civil Rights, Johnson believes in a progressive "Great Society" where all Americans are on equal footing and have the equal opportunity to succeed in life. LBJ's drive to solve the racial and economic inequality so often present in America will one day put him on the path to the White House, and then LBJ will become living proof that even a poor boy from Texas can ascend to the highest office in the land.
Biography
Post-war (1946-present)
Johnson got interested in politics after serving in the Navy as a Commander. His natural talent for aggressive persuasion and deal making, made him quickly rise to become the Democrat senator for Texas in 1948. His impressive rise in post-war politics was not without criticism however. Whilst he would ultimately win the 1948 Senate Primaries against well-known former governor Coke Stevenson he was forced to bend principles appealing to conservatives by casting doubts on Stevenson's support for the Taft–Hartley Act (curbing union power) whilst some observed him pedantically giving white-supremacist speeches, Due to a inconclusive ballot in the first round a runoff was held where he won access to the Senate by razer-thin margins which some have accredited to blatant fraud sparking a litigation battle that went before the Supreme Court.
Nonetheless, Johnson's victory was upheld by the Convention allowing him to assume his seat. Whilst his rise to Washington was dubious he has asserted himself as a cunning and decisive Democrat in the traditionally stiff Senate serving as the senior delegate alongside with Democrat Ralph Yarborough.
Despite all of his accomplishments, Johnson's ambition for political power sets him on a path towards the White House for the 1964 presidential election.
In-game
Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society" programs focus around solving racial and economic inequality in the United States should he be elected in the 1964 elections. Specifically, they focus on civil rights, welfare, healthcare, education and the environment. Depending on what path the player chooses, these programs may have little or extensive change on the United States. Be careful though, going too radical may destroy the unity of the American people and the party itself.
In-Game Description
In many ways Lyndon Baines Johnson, often referred to by his initials LBJ, is living proof that the American dream still lives. Born in a Texas farmhouse and raised in humble conditions, far from the glitz and glamour that America's elite grew up in, Johnson has not forgotten the lessons of his modest upbringing. Though he spent several years teaching impoverished children in Texas, he quickly found his calling in politics. With a natural talent for aggressive persuasion and dealmaking that would soon be widely known in Washington as the "Johnson Treatment", he began first as a congressional aide before quickly ascending to the House of Representatives, then the Senate. There he reigned as Majority Leader of the Republican and then Republican-Democrat party for a decade. Now he has finally climbed as high as any American can, and has been elected the President of the United States. LBJ has promised to heal the wounds that have been festering in America for decades, and is determined to tackle the issues of racial and economic inequality once and for all. Johnson envisions an American society where every man has equal rights and equal opportunity to succeed. However, with Germany descending further into chaos by the day, and Japan fighting to maintain and expand its sphere, Johnson may not be able to focus exclusively on the home front, as events beyond his control threaten to pull America back onto the global battlefield once more.
Trivia
In real-life, Johnson succeeded John F. Kennedy after Kennedy's assassination. Many of his "Great Society" programs in the game are similar to the ones he pursued there. He was re-elected in 1964, although despite being eligible to run for a second term in 1968, he did not do so due to his perceived failure in handling the Vietnam War.