Not the gangster Nixon was, but close. He did implement the civil rights legislation that Kennedy only talked about, but other than that, his political career was abysmal. In life, his hands were stained with Vietnam's blood. In death, his memory is stained with Vietnam's blood. For a very illuminating, disturbing biography, read Robert Caro's "The Years of Lyndon Johnson: Means of Ascent." Al Capone couldn't have done it any better, or more efficiently, or more ruthlessly.

Definitely should be respected for civil-rights legislation he signed into law, but he'll always receive less than favorable ratings for turning the Vietnam War into a full-blown disaster that cost far too many American lives.

LBJ's poor personal character was overshadowed by his accomplishments for the poor and elderly. The lying that got us into war was his downfall. Sounds familiar.