Lyndon Baines Johnson, often referred to as LBJ, occupies a singular place in American constitutional history regarding the second-highest office in the land. He did not just hold the office; he lived through its most traumatic transition and later managed its longest modern vacancy. To understand the vice presidency of the 1960s, one must look at two distinct phases: Lyndon Johnson’s tenure as the 37th Vice President under John F. Kennedy (1961–1963) and the vice presidency of Hubert Humphrey under Johnson (1965–1969).

The Strategic Marriage of the 1960 Ticket

The story of Lyndon Johnson as Vice President begins with one of the most calculated political maneuvers in 20th-century American elections. In 1960, John F. Kennedy, a young Catholic Senator from Massachusetts, recognized a looming problem. To win the presidency, he needed the "Solid South," a region where his religion and liberal leanings were viewed with deep suspicion.

Lyndon Johnson was the antithesis of Kennedy. He was a seasoned Texan, a master of the Senate, and a Protestant. When Kennedy offered Johnson the vice presidential slot at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, it shocked the political establishment. For Johnson, moving from the role of Senate Majority Leader—arguably the most powerful man in Washington at the time—to the largely ceremonial role of Vice President was seen by many as a demotion. However, Johnson’s presence on the ticket was decisive, helping Kennedy narrowly defeat Richard Nixon by securing crucial electoral votes in Texas and across the South.

Lyndon Johnson as Vice President: Powerless in the Shadow of Camelot

From January 20, 1961, to November 22, 1963, Lyndon Johnson served as Vice President for exactly 1,036 days. Despite his immense legislative experience, he found the office stifling. The "Johnson Treatment"—his legendary ability to intimidate and persuade lawmakers—held little weight in an executive branch dominated by the "Best and the Brightest" of the Kennedy administration.

The Friction with Robert Kennedy

One of the defining characteristics of Johnson’s vice presidency was his strained relationship with the President’s brother and Attorney General, Robert F. Kennedy. The two men possessed fundamentally different temperaments and political styles. Johnson often felt sidelined and mocked by the younger Kennedy’s inner circle, who referred to him behind his back as "Rufus Cornpone." This period was marked by a profound sense of frustration for a man accustomed to being the center of political gravity.

Substantive Roles: Space and Civil Rights

Despite his personal unhappiness, Johnson was not entirely without influence. Kennedy sought to keep him occupied by assigning him significant responsibilities:

  • Chairman of the National Aeronautics and Space Council: Johnson was a primary architect of the American effort to reach the moon. He pushed for the expansion of NASA and was instrumental in locating the Manned Spacecraft Center (now the Johnson Space Center) in Houston, Texas.
  • Chairman of the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity: In this role, Johnson began to lay the groundwork for what would eventually become his signature domestic achievement: civil rights legislation. He worked to integrate the federal workforce and government contractors, gaining a deeper understanding of the systemic racial issues he would later address as President.

The Assassination and the Constitutional Gap

The vice presidency of Lyndon Johnson ended abruptly and tragically on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. Upon the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States aboard Air Force One. This transition was a moment of profound national crisis, and Johnson’s immediate priority was to project stability and continuity to a grieving world.

Two Years Without a Vice President

A fact often overlooked in modern political discourse is that from November 22, 1963, until January 20, 1965, the United States had no Vice President. At that time, the U.S. Constitution provided no mechanism for filling a mid-term vacancy in the vice presidency. If something had happened to Johnson during those 14 months, the line of succession would have moved to the Speaker of the House, John William McCormack, followed by the President pro tempore of the Senate.

This prolonged vacancy, occurring at the height of the Cold War, highlighted a dangerous flaw in the American system of government. It directly led to the drafting and eventual ratification of the 25th Amendment in 1967, which established a formal process for the President to nominate a new Vice President subject to congressional confirmation.

Who Was the Vice President Under Lyndon B. Johnson?

After winning a full term in his own right in the landslide election of 1964, Lyndon Johnson chose Hubert H. Humphrey as his running mate. Humphrey, a liberal stalwart and former Senator from Minnesota, became the 38th Vice President of the United States.

The Choice of Hubert Humphrey

Humphrey was known as "The Happy Warrior" of the Democratic Party. He was a champion of civil rights long before it was politically safe, famously delivering a stirring speech at the 1948 Democratic Convention that called for the party to "walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights." For Johnson, Humphrey represented the liberal wing of the party and provided a bridge to Northern progressives.

The Dynamic of the Johnson-Humphrey Administration

The relationship between Johnson and Humphrey was complex and often lopsided. Having suffered as an marginalized Vice President himself, one might assume Johnson would have empowered Humphrey. Instead, Johnson was a demanding and often overbearing superior. He expected absolute loyalty and often tested Humphrey’s resolve.

Humphrey’s primary role was to serve as a legislative liaison for the "Great Society" programs. He was deeply involved in the passage of:

  1. The Voting Rights Act of 1965: Humphrey used his Senate connections to help break the filibusters that had long blocked civil rights progress.
  2. Medicare and Medicaid: He was a vocal advocate for the expansion of healthcare access for the elderly and the poor.
  3. The War on Poverty: Humphrey traveled the country promoting the various initiatives of the Office of Economic Opportunity.

The Vietnam War: A Vice Presidential Burden

The escalating conflict in Southeast Asia eventually became the defining crisis for both Johnson and Humphrey. As the Vietnam War expanded, Humphrey found himself in an impossible position. Privately, he expressed early reservations about the escalation of the war. Publicly, however, Johnson demanded that his Vice President be its most vocal defender.

The Loyalty Test

In early 1965, Humphrey sent Johnson a memorandum advising against the intensified bombing of North Vietnam. Johnson responded by freezing Humphrey out of key National Security Council meetings for several months. To regain his standing within the administration, Humphrey became a staunch "hawk" in his public rhetoric. This shift alienated his traditional liberal base and youth supporters, who felt betrayed by the man they once considered their champion.

By 1968, the anti-war movement had reached a fever pitch. Protesters chanted, "LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?" and Humphrey, as the administration’s most visible surrogate, bore much of the brunt of this anger. The war essentially destroyed the political partnership and paved the way for the chaotic 1968 election.

The Legacy of the Johnson Years on the Vice Presidency

The era of Lyndon Johnson fundamentally changed how Americans view the office of the Vice President. Before 1963, the office was often seen as a political graveyard. After the events of Dallas and the subsequent legislative heavy-lifting of the Humphrey years, it became clear that the Vice President was a "heartbeat away" from the most powerful job in the world and a critical player in the legislative process.

The ratification of the 25th Amendment, spurred by the vacancy following Kennedy’s death, ensured that the nation would never again be without a Vice President for an extended period. Furthermore, the transition of Humphrey from a Senate power to an executive lieutenant set a precedent for future presidents to seek out running mates with significant legislative "heft."

Summary of Lyndon Johnson’s Vice Presidential History

Lyndon Johnson’s experience with the vice presidency can be summarized as follows:

  • As Vice President (1961-1963): He served under John F. Kennedy. He was instrumental in the space program and early civil rights efforts but felt personally and politically marginalized.
  • The Vacancy (1963-1965): Following JFK’s assassination, the office was vacant for over a year due to the lack of a constitutional replacement mechanism.
  • The Humphrey Era (1965-1969): Under President Johnson, Hubert Humphrey served as a key architect of the Great Society but was ultimately compromised by the administration’s policies in the Vietnam War.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About LBJ and the Vice Presidency

Who was Lyndon B. Johnson’s Vice President in 1963?

Lyndon B. Johnson did not have a Vice President in 1963. After he succeeded John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, the office remained vacant until his second inauguration in January 1965.

Was Lyndon Johnson a good Vice President?

Historically, Johnson is viewed as a highly effective political asset for the 1960 Kennedy ticket. However, his personal effectiveness within the administration was limited by the "New Frontier" inner circle. His most significant contribution as Vice President was his leadership of the Space Council.

Why did LBJ choose Hubert Humphrey?

Johnson chose Humphrey to unify the Democratic Party. Humphrey brought strength in the Midwest and among civil rights activists, balancing Johnson’s Southern roots and helping to secure a massive electoral mandate in the 1964 election.

How many Vice Presidents served under Lyndon B. Johnson?

Only one Vice President served under Lyndon B. Johnson: Hubert H. Humphrey. The first part of Johnson’s presidency (November 1963 to January 1965) was served without a Vice President.

Did the 25th Amendment exist when LBJ became President?

No. The 25th Amendment, which allows a President to appoint a new Vice President to fill a vacancy, was not ratified until 1967. This is why the office remained empty during the first 14 months of Johnson’s presidency.