Byrd's Gambit (PJW)

"Byrd's Gambit" is an excerpt from Up Til Now: A Memoir written by Eugene McCarthy, which chronicles his service as White House Chief of Staff for President Harry Byrd.

Byrd's Gambit
Byrd had been in a sour mood since the division in the Democrat party began. "Blast that Johnson," he used to mutter about Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, who as the days passed by became more and more disassociated with the Democrat party. There were rumors flying about that the northern Democrats were going to split from the party. The divide over economics and race were just getting to large for the Democrat party to bridge the gap. Another note that soured Byrd's mood is that the traitor Kennedy might be joining this new party - as a potential presidential candidate.

Kennedy and Byrd had been drifting a part for a while, and while they drifted I was taken increasingly into Byrd's confidence. Especially now that Kennedy had left. It was an odd friendship, the President and I. Following a news story that featured the former vice president's remarks that condemned the so called "Byrdtown" that the negro population of Montgomery had been sent to, the President called a meeting between me, him, and Secretary of State James William Fulbright.

When I walked into the Oval Office, Byrd and Fulbright were already there. "Eugene," Byrd said in greeting. "Now that you're here, we can begin.

"As you know, the Democrat party is splintering," the President began. "Northerners are (ironically) flocking to that southerner Johnson and his 'civil rights' platform."

"The situation in the south is no better," Fulbright added. "Those extremists that make up the Citizens' Party - they feel Harry isn't doing enough to solve the negro problem."

Byrd nodded. "The Democrat Party is being squeezed in on all sides - which could effect our chances come this time in November next year. Despite polling better in mostly every state - the votes that Johnson's and the Citizens' Parties pull away from the Democrats could lead to a Republican victory. The north will be taken by Johnson, and no doubt Texas. And should Nixon be their candidate, we lose California as well."

"So what are we going to do?" I asked.

"We have a plan," Fulbright said. "We're going to prop the Citizens' Party and Johnson's party up."

"I don't understand," I answered.

Byrd cleared his throat. "The way we have currently projected the election - the Republicans, despite being less popular, will win due to the Democrat split. If we get enough states to swing away from the Republicans and towards Johnson and the Citizens' - no one gains enough electoral votes." I raised my eyebrows. "The electoral voters will be unable to choose a president. The Senate will be split as well, meaning a Vice President won't be elected either, thus making the Speaker of the House next in line."

"But," Fulbright added. "The split will further continue into the House, and there won't be enough votes to elect a Speaker. Same with the Senate for their president pro tempore."

"Which means..."

"Which means the presidency falls to the Secretary of State," Byrd concluded. Fulbright smiled. "The names may change but the political circle in the Oval Office remains."

"But the plan has so many working parts," I objected. "What if the senators or representatives change party lines and elect someone - potentially a Republican?"

"If anyone would change party lines, it would be to our party," Byrd answered. "Johnson's turncoats would come back to their original party, and so would the Citizens'."

I sat speechless for some time. "This plan...there are so many parts we need to go right."

Byrd offered a rare smile. "Have some faith in the American people and its leaders, Eugene. They'll do the right thing come November."