Lyndon Baines Johnson (August 27; 1908 - January 22; 1973); often referred to as LBJ; was the 36th President of the United States (1963-1969) after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States (1961-1963). He is one of only four people who served in all four elected federal offices of the United States: Representative; Senator; Vice President and President.

Johnson; a Democrat; served as a United States Representative from Texas; from 1937-1949 and as United States Senator from 1949-1961; including six years as United States Senate Majority Leader; two as Senate Minority Leader and two as Senate Majority Whip. After campaigning unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination in 1960; Johnson was asked by John F. Kennedy to be his running mate for the 1960 presidential election.

After becoming president in 1963; Johnson greatly escalated direct American involvement in the Vietnam War. As the war dragged on; Johnson's popularity as President steadily declined. After the 1966 mid-term Congressional elections; his re-election bid in the 1968 United States presidential election collapsed as a result of turmoil within the Democratic Party related to opposition to the Vietnam War. He withdrew from the race amid growing opposition to his policy on the Vietnam War and a worse-than-expected showing in the New Hampshire primary.

Despite the failures of his foreign policy; Johnson is ranked favorably by some historians because of his domestic policies.