Chapter 5, The Senate Leader Summary and Analysis

Johnson's method of obtaining passage or rejection of any bill was to rely solely on behind the scenes. The fate of any bill was decided before it reached the Senate floor, and this cancelled the need for any discussion or debate. To further quell discussion and potential criticism, Johnson only convened the Democratic Party caucus once a year, filling the meeting time with a prepared speech and "housekeeping" chores. Some senators and political science organizations saw his behavior as an attack on basic democratic principles of public debate and decision-making.

Because deals were made privately, constituents back home did not have to know every detail of their senator's bargaining, and this was a good thing. The concept of one leader guiding his "subjects" extended, in Johnson's mind, to his presidency as well. He was the...