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ALMOST PRESIDENT: HUBERT HORATIO HUMPHREY, PART V

© John S. Cooper

Humphrey’s term as Vice-President was frustrating, to say the least. Humphrey had viewed the Vice-Presidency as a major stepping-stone to the Presidency. He had believed that as Vice-President, he would have greater access to the President than he would as Senate Majority Whip. He also figured that the national attention would make up for his lack of a strong financial base in his race for President.

Yet, Humphrey realized that the Vice-Presidency itself was not a good fit for him, as he was energetic and ambitious. He would have to pay for the greater access to power and publicity by compromising some of his principles. President Johnson, above all else, required absolute loyalty from his Vice-President. During the Vice-Presidential search before the 1964 convention, Johnson had been asked what kind of person he was looking for. He said that above all, “I want loyalty. I want him to kiss my ass in Macy’s window at high noon and tell me it smells like roses.” People who knew how he treated his subordinates knew President Johnson was definitely not kidding.

Humphrey played the loyal Vice President. He called Johnson the greatest president in the history of the country and supported all Johnson’s policies, even though he had serious doubts and disagreements with many of them, especially Vietnam. Ever the loyal supporter, Humphrey called Vietnam “our great adventure, and a wonderful one it is.” In another speech, Humphrey supported the “domino theory” and stated that if we didn’t stop the Communists from taking Saigon, next “they’ll be in Honolulu and San Francisco.” Humphrey thought he would be a major player in the Johnson administration, but found himself isolated from the decision-making process.

Still, Humphrey was one of the most active Vice-Presidents in history. He lobbied hard and effectively for many of the administration’s programs, and became a leading advocate for the Great Society programs. His position as one of the most well-liked and respected members of Congress, and one of its highest elected leaders, served him well. He campaigned with members of both houses for the passage of such measures as the Food Stamp Act of 1964, the 1965 Voting Rights Act, Medicare, establishing the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Office of Economic Opportunity, and the creation of the Head Start Program. He also supported using federal funds to support the National Endowment for the Arts, the Public Broadcasting Service, and solar energy research.

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