Object Details
Artist
George Tames, 1919 - 1994
Sitter
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 29 May 1917 - 22 Nov 1963
Lyndon Baines Johnson, 27 Aug 1908 - 22 Jan 1973
Exhibition Label
John F. Kennedy 1917–1963
Born Brookline, Massachusetts
Lyndon B. Johnson 1908–1973
Born Stonewall, Texas
In 1960, Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson believed that his national prominence and power base in the Senate would win him the Democratic nomination for president. After junior Senator John F. Kennedy won the nomination, he surprised everyone by offering Johnson the vice-presidential candidacy. In turn, Johnson’s acceptance stunned political pundits. Kennedy hoped that Johnson, a Texan, would balance his “Yankee Roman Catholic” image and give him Texas, which he needed to prevail in one of the closest presidential elections in U.S. history.
Kennedy later acknowledged the role reversal, admitting, “I spent years of my life [as a senator] when I could not get consideration for a bill until I went around and begged Lyndon Johnson to let it go ahead.” Kennedy’s aides often ridiculed Johnson as “Uncle Cornpone,” but the president always spoke of him with respect, placing him in charge of the administration’s space exploration initiative.
John F. Kennedy 1917–1963
Nacido en Brookline, Massachusetts
Lyndon B. Johnson 1908–1973
Nacido en Stonewall, Texas
En 1960, Lyndon Johnson, líder de la mayoría senatorial, creía que su prominencia nacional y su base de poder en el Senado le ganarían la nominación presidencial demócrata. Pero fue el senador junior John F. Kennedy quien ganó, y sorprendió a todos ofreciendo a Johnson la candidatura a la vicepresidencia. Johnson aceptó, sorprendiendo a su vez a los comentaristas políticos. Kennedy esperaba que Johnson equilibrara su imagen de “yanqui católico” y le ganara Texas, estado imprescindible en una de las elecciones más reñidas en la historia de EE.UU.
Kennedy luego admitió la inversión de los roles: “Pasé años de mi vida [de senador] sin lograr que consideraran una propuesta de ley mía hasta que fui y le rogué a Lyndon Johnson que la dejara avanzar”. Los ayudantes de Kennedy ridiculizaban a Johnson llamándolo “Tío Patán”, pero el presidente siempre habló de él con respeto y lo puso a cargo de la iniciativa de exploración espacial de su gobierno.
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Frances O. Tames
Date
c. 1961
Object number
NPG.94.192
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© George Tames/The New York Times/Redux
Type
Photograph
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
Image: 24 x 16.4cm (9 7/16 x 6 7/16")
Sheet: 25.3 x 20.4cm (9 15/16 x 8 1/16")
Mat: 45.7 x 35.6cm (18 x 14")
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Location
Currently not on view
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Interior\Office
Architecture\Window
Lyndon Baines Johnson: Male
Lyndon Baines Johnson: Arts and Culture\Literature\Writer
Lyndon Baines Johnson: Politics and Government\Vice-President of US
Lyndon Baines Johnson: Arts and Culture\Education and Scholarship\Educator\Teacher
Lyndon Baines Johnson: Politics and Government\Government official\President of US
Lyndon Baines Johnson: Social Welfare and Reform\Philanthropist
Lyndon Baines Johnson: Politics and Government\Government official\US Senator\Texas
Lyndon Baines Johnson: Politics and Government\Government official\US Congressman\Texas
Lyndon Baines Johnson: Civilian awards\Presidential Medal of Freedom
John Fitzgerald Kennedy: Male
John Fitzgerald Kennedy: Arts and Culture\Literature\Writer
John Fitzgerald Kennedy: Politics and Government\Government official\US Congressman\Massachusetts
John Fitzgerald Kennedy: Military and Intelligence\Navy\Officer
John Fitzgerald Kennedy: Politics and Government\Government official\President of US
John Fitzgerald Kennedy: Politics and Government\Government official\US Senator\Massachusetts
John Fitzgerald Kennedy: Literary awards\Pulitzer Prize
John Fitzgerald Kennedy: Civilian awards\Presidential Medal of Freedom
John Fitzgerald Kennedy: Military award\Purple Heart
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_NPG.94.192