LANDSLIDE LYNDON
As difficult as giving up his plans for re-election are, Johnson is relieved knowing at least that his man, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, is running for the presidency, and if victorious, will nurture and expand The Great Society. But RFK’s popularity has grown, and it is clear that it is he who has the better chance of defeating Nixon in the general election. As painful as seeing his chief rival in the oval office would be, LBJ is relieved knowing that RFK would work to end the War in Vietnam, and like Humphrey, would ensure that LBJ’s legacy of serving those least off in American society would carry on.
LYRICS​
SCENE 11: SORRY BOBBY
INT. WHITE HOUSE BASEMENT. MARCH 1968. NIGHT
Lights up on LBJ in robe and slippers, asleep, slumped against the ticker tape machine. Red and blue folders are at his side
LADY BIRD
(spoken) Not the basement again, Lyndon. It’s One a.m.
​
LBJ picks up the folders and stands
LBJ
I must have fallen asleep
LADY BIRD
Lyndon, you can’t save all those brave boys if you’re exhausted
CONNALLY
Boss. You got a call. It’s the runt
LBJ
In the middle of the night?
LBJ picks up the phone
LBJ (CONT’D) I’ll be up soon, Bird
RFK Mr. President, I’m calling to inform you, eh, That I will be opposing you for the Democratic nomination for, er, the Presidency. The people, er, you’ve done a great job, domestically. But the people are not with you. You’ve lost them, Lyndon
​
LBJ
Sorry, Bobby, but I don’t think you can handle this
Go back on the trail, hit the rail to Los Angeles
Don’t you think that I cry
Each time I see a boy die
In the jungles over there?
But I’ve got to stay strong
Gotta pull us along
or we just won’t have a prayer
RFK
It was clear to me from the day Jack died
You would take the reins and push me aside
You could not hold back, you could not resist
You wanted me by your side while you raised your fist
Just to fight in a foreign land
But you stood where I couldn’t stand
LBJ
(spoken) You self-righteous prick!
It wasn’t just providence that pulled me to the table
Power wasn’t just placed into my hands.
No I wasn’t born a prince but somehow I was able
To get more done in Washington than you pretty boys ever planned...
LBJ grabs the folders as if still deciding
RFK
Sorry, Lyndon that red folder will ruin you
Everything you got done will just rot in the sun
When the world’s reviewing you
The people can’t bear it, they want me to repair it.
From Springfield to Saigon
They want someone new who can stay strong and true
And their faith in you is gone.