eak Presidents, Jerry Ford and Jimmy Carter, whose predecessors, Johnson and Richard Nixon, toward the end of their terms "found themselves unable to govern" (Donovan 90). After the Watergate disclosures, increasing numbers of Americans were alienated from the political process. Only 47 percent of those eligible voted in the 1980 presidential election. During the 1970s, the country was plagued with economic difficulties, declining international competitiveness and rates of industrial productivity, rising inflation and stagnation in growth, and growing budgetary and trade deficits. By the end of the 1970s, an underclass emerged, which was poor, dependent on welfare and largely concentrated in the inner cities areas. Crime, teenage pregnancy and family disintegration became major problems. A strong reaction developed on the right, fueled in part by the rise of an Evangelical and Fundamental Christian movement, to the consequences of social change. Affirmative action for minorities and equal rights for and women, rising divorce rates, increased sexual freedom and the legalization of abortion were trends which many Americans regarded as a threat to traditional values, such as family, religion, the work ethic and patriotism.
Political Ideologies and Strategies
Goldman says that Johnson "had come to the White House . . . quite unprepared by anything that could be called a political philosophy" (51). Reflecting the views of his Texas constituency, Johnson had been moderately conservative on economic and social issues and had gained a reputation as a wheeler dealer who was unusually adept at forging political consensus. As a politician, Kearns says his "forte lay in one-on-one relations behind closed doors" (179). Donovan said that "Johnson was not a compelling national campaigner" (105). As a public speaker, Kearns said that with "his facial muscles frozen in place, except for a simpering smile, he projected an image of feig...