alternatehistory.com
A TRUE TEXAS SIZED CHOICE
Morning had barely broken but the phones had been ringing all night. Governor Connally was not the only one awake. Suddenly, the hottest ticket in town was who would Governor John Connally appoint to the interim slot and who would be elected in the Special Election. Former Texas Republican State Chairman Thad Hutcheson, himself a former Senate candidate in 1957 and a wealthy attorney from Houston, was on the phone to Governor Connally. "Governor, let me get straight to the point. I believe the people of Texas made it very clear that they desired a representative from each party when they elected Senator Tower. And I believe that the people of Texas wish to maintain the status quo." Governor Connally grinned from ear to ear and said, "Well tell me Thad, who do you think should fill that gap? Would you like to be the one who gets the nod?" Hutcheson demurred, "John, my campaigning days are behind me, but there's always Jack Cox, Anne Armstrong, Fred Meyer, and George H.W. Bush." Connally enjoying the mentions said, "Well what about ole' Bruce Alger. He sure makes you boys in the Republican Party look good." Connally was of course referring to the bombastic, arch-conservative controversial Congressman. Hutcheson replied, "I wouldn't be so inclined, John." Governor Connally decided to let Hutcheson off the hook for the moment and said, "Well Thad, should I take a gander your way, I'll take these names and your name into consideration. Be sure to give Caroline my best." With that the Governor chuckled and said, "Jack Cox....the SOB actually suggested Jack Cox as a possibility."
No sooner had Governor Connally hung up the phone then the Chair of the Texas Democratic Party Executive Committee, Frank G. Erwin, was on the next line. The Governor who was good friends with him greeted his friend, "Well Frank I see you are up mighty early." Erwin quickly responded, "Yes I am John and you have to get up early to beat them liberals like Ralph Yarborough and Don Yarborough from filling your mind with thoughts of New Frontierism. If you ask me it's New Socialism!" Connally chuckled, "Calm down Frank, I ain't turned red on ya'. Hell I ain't even pink. But I do suppose you have some names to suggest to me don't you?" Erwin replied, "Why yes I do, Governor. And I think Congressman (Jim) Wright, Attorney General (Waggoner) Carr, his predecessor (Will) Wilson, Mayor (Earle) Cabell and maybe even former Governor (Price) Daniel would be all safe choices to consider. But whatever you do, I need to save you from yourself." Connally smiled and said, "By whatever do you mean Frank. Scared I'll name you?" Erwin scowled into the phone and said, "No. We need to avoid an appearances of special considerations or familias, a Latin phrase you college boys understand. So no Nellie, no Wayne (Connally), no Merrill (Connally), not that young Speaker boy Ben (Barnes) and by Jehosephat, not YOU!" Erwin had referred to Connally's wife, his two brothers, one who was a State Senator and the other was County Judge in Wilson County where the Connallys hailed from. He also was referring to the wunderkid at that time of Texas politics, Speaker of the State House of Representatives Ben Barnes. Connally grinned like a Cheshire cat and said, "Well that sure narrows the field, Frank. Thanks for the thoughts. I'll definitely heed most if not all of your advice." Erwin asked, "Who you going to name then?" With that Connally quickly got off the phone saying "You'll see."
View attachment 371921
View attachment 372014
View attachment 371926
Connally picked up the phone before another one came through. "Bird, sorry to call you so early." Mrs. Johnson sipping on a mug of warm coffee said, "It's okay John. I was up early in the garden. What do you need?" Connally sighed and said, "I sure miss Lyndon. As much as a jackass he could be, he seemed to always know the right path." Mrs. Johnson smiled and nodded into the phone, "Yes, I know. He had a bird dog way about him. I suppose this is about who is going to replace John Tower in the Senate seat." Connally sighed and said, "You see right through me. Bird, may I come over for a visit? I know Nellie would love to see you and frankly I need to bend your ear." Mrs. Johnson said, "John, you're the Governor. I am just a widow. Let me come see you." Connally said, "Okay Bird, but I am going to send the helicopter over to get you. We will have lunch together and maybe a businesswoman like you can help me see the way Lyndon thought. He always said you were his smartest political advisor." Mrs. Johnson smiled and said, "I appreciate that, John. Let me get a shower and I'll throw on a frock and come down to see you and Nellie." The Governor before hanging up said, "Pack a bag. You can bring the girls and spend the night with us." As the Governor hung up the cradle of the phone, he planned to tap the mind and the brain that had brought Lyndon Johnson from a small school house to control of the U.S. Congress and almost the White House.
View attachment 371928
No sooner had Governor Connally hung up the phone then the Chair of the Texas Democratic Party Executive Committee, Frank G. Erwin, was on the next line. The Governor who was good friends with him greeted his friend, "Well Frank I see you are up mighty early." Erwin quickly responded, "Yes I am John and you have to get up early to beat them liberals like Ralph Yarborough and Don Yarborough from filling your mind with thoughts of New Frontierism. If you ask me it's New Socialism!" Connally chuckled, "Calm down Frank, I ain't turned red on ya'. Hell I ain't even pink. But I do suppose you have some names to suggest to me don't you?" Erwin replied, "Why yes I do, Governor. And I think Congressman (Jim) Wright, Attorney General (Waggoner) Carr, his predecessor (Will) Wilson, Mayor (Earle) Cabell and maybe even former Governor (Price) Daniel would be all safe choices to consider. But whatever you do, I need to save you from yourself." Connally smiled and said, "By whatever do you mean Frank. Scared I'll name you?" Erwin scowled into the phone and said, "No. We need to avoid an appearances of special considerations or familias, a Latin phrase you college boys understand. So no Nellie, no Wayne (Connally), no Merrill (Connally), not that young Speaker boy Ben (Barnes) and by Jehosephat, not YOU!" Erwin had referred to Connally's wife, his two brothers, one who was a State Senator and the other was County Judge in Wilson County where the Connallys hailed from. He also was referring to the wunderkid at that time of Texas politics, Speaker of the State House of Representatives Ben Barnes. Connally grinned like a Cheshire cat and said, "Well that sure narrows the field, Frank. Thanks for the thoughts. I'll definitely heed most if not all of your advice." Erwin asked, "Who you going to name then?" With that Connally quickly got off the phone saying "You'll see."
View attachment 371921
View attachment 372014
View attachment 371926
Connally picked up the phone before another one came through. "Bird, sorry to call you so early." Mrs. Johnson sipping on a mug of warm coffee said, "It's okay John. I was up early in the garden. What do you need?" Connally sighed and said, "I sure miss Lyndon. As much as a jackass he could be, he seemed to always know the right path." Mrs. Johnson smiled and nodded into the phone, "Yes, I know. He had a bird dog way about him. I suppose this is about who is going to replace John Tower in the Senate seat." Connally sighed and said, "You see right through me. Bird, may I come over for a visit? I know Nellie would love to see you and frankly I need to bend your ear." Mrs. Johnson said, "John, you're the Governor. I am just a widow. Let me come see you." Connally said, "Okay Bird, but I am going to send the helicopter over to get you. We will have lunch together and maybe a businesswoman like you can help me see the way Lyndon thought. He always said you were his smartest political advisor." Mrs. Johnson smiled and said, "I appreciate that, John. Let me get a shower and I'll throw on a frock and come down to see you and Nellie." The Governor before hanging up said, "Pack a bag. You can bring the girls and spend the night with us." As the Governor hung up the cradle of the phone, he planned to tap the mind and the brain that had brought Lyndon Johnson from a small school house to control of the U.S. Congress and almost the White House.
View attachment 371928
- DCPritt
- Word Count: 880