LANDSLIDE LYNDON
Johnson's career-long loyal aide Walter Jenkins is caught in a Washington DC bathroom with another man, lurching the Johnson administration into a scandal just a month before the 1964 Presidential election. Johnson is torn, but decides he must let Jenkins go "to protect the Presidency." Lady Bird looks for ways to support Jenkins and when LBJ announces his mind is made up, she tells him of her intentions to give a statement of support. When Johnson protests, she explains, "I'm not asking your permission, I'm informing you." Johnson's political successes would never be the same without Jenkins by his side.
LYRICS​
INT. OVAL OFFICE. OCTOBER 1964. NIGHT
Cops enter and put Jenkins in handcuffs. He looks longingly towards the Oval Office, where LBJ now sits with Lady Bird
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CRONKITE (TV) White House Chief of Staff Walter Jenkins was arrested today for “disorderly conduct” with another man in a Washington DC public restroom.
LBJ (spoken) Don’t you think I know that, Bird? Look. You’re my right arm, Jenkins is my left. But we have an election in just a few weeks. We’ve got to cut Jenkins loose.
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LBJ
I know it’s wrong, he’s been my friend
But if we keep him on we’ll lose this in the end
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LADY BIRD
I understand, you want to win
But if you cut him loose, it’s you, not him, that’s sinned
Where we fly, we fly as one
You’ve been like his dad
LBJ & LADY BIRD He’s been like our son
LADY BIRD
And when a forbidden kiss and prejudice
try to bring you down
You know in the end, you stick with your friends
LBJ
I’m sorry, Bird. I’ve done the math and I have no choice. Now I’m issuing a statement
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LADY BIRD
Well I'm making my own statement of support.
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LBJ
Bird, you can't do that - what will the average farmer say?!
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LBJ
Honey, I'm not asking your permission, I'm informing you.
CRONKITE
Lady Bird Johnson held her own press conference today, praising Walter Jenkins for his service to his country. Nevertheless, Walter Jenkins has resigned.