“Lyndon Johnson” on The Daily Caller

Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann suggested that the United States should be more like China to spur economic growth. (more)

It was the summer before a presidential election, and it looked like a moderate Republican governor from the Northeast would face the liberal Democratic incumbent president in the general election. The governor had a commanding lead in the GOP primary polls and — or so the media thought — no credible rivals. But as the campaign wore on, a conservative firebrand emerged as a surprisingly strong challenger to the governor. The governor said that the conservative was unelectable and too extreme for the party. But the conservative continued to climb in the polls until he was leading the governor. The Republican establishment scrambled to find a candidate who could beat the conservative. Some Republicans united behind a moderate, middle-aged ambassador who came from a powerful family. But his campaign never caught fire, and ultimately the conservative firebrand won the nomination — and went on to get crushed by the Democratic incumbent in the general election. (more)

President Obama’s recent troubles with the visit of the controversial rapper Common to the White House may demonstrate bad judgment on the part of the White House, but Obama is hardly the first president to have to navigate the difficult waters of dealing with notorious and mercurial entertainers. (more)

The 2012 battle for the GOP presidential nomination is heating up, and underdog candidates are grabbing the spotlight as marquee candidates continue to play coy about their political intentions. (more)

Here’s a tip for Republicans who would like to see a new occupant at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue two years from now. Don’t look to Washington for your next standard bearer; look to the statehouses. Since 1956 nine sitting presidents have run for re-election (I’m including Lyndon Johnson and Gerald Ford, both of whom weren’t actually elected to their first terms). Three were defeated while six were successful in securing a second term. (more)

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) — America is on a “road to ruin” because of misguided policies in Washington and needs to get back in step with the values of Ronald Reagan, Sarah Palin said at an event honoring the former president’s legacy. (more)

BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — For all his accomplishments — Peace Corps director, ambassador, leader of the war on poverty — R. Sargent Shriver ultimately became known first as an in-law. (more)

In 1964, Lyndon Johnson needed pants, so he called the Haggar clothing company and asked for some. The call was recorded (like all White House calls at the time), and has since become the stuff of legend. Johnson’s anatomically specific directions to Mr. Haggar are some of the most intimate words we’ve ever heard from the mouth of a President. (more)

NEW YORK (AP) — Convicted mob boss John “Sonny” Franzese is so old, he knew Frank Sinatra in his heyday. He’s so old, his recent extortion trial became nap time — even when his turncoat son took the witness stand against him. (more)

After this week’s FCC ruling regarding the internet regulations that are euphemistically known as “net neutrality,” I have come to the conclusion that, in the eyes of those on the left, too much government is not enough. Actually, the FCC ruling did not prompt me to come to that conclusion; it merely prompted me to write about it. (more)

Republicans may be in control of the U.S. House of Representatives when the 112th Congress comes to Washington, D.C. in January, but the 111th Congress isn’t dead yet.  When the disastrous Pelosi-Reid-led Congress comes back for its lame-duck session on November 15th, it should have one thing in mind: do no more harm to country or party.  But clearly, doing what the American people want has not been the modus operandi thus far.  We should all be uneasy, because six weeks is enough time to do a lot more damage if we let our guard down. (more)

Election handicappers say Republicans could possibly net 75 seats in the House. Here’s a look at prior wave elections: (more)

In his recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine, President Obama concluded with a fervent plea for the liberal Democratic base to turn out in a big way for November’s midterm election. (more)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Already in distinctive company as an American president, George W. Bush seeks to join an even more select group: president and top-selling author. (more)

Venerable historian Garry Wills recently posted a piece revealing his role at an off-the-record meeting President Obama convened with nine professional historians over a year ago.  Though a frequent critic of President Obama’s policies, I reacted to Wills’ piece with a kind of tingling cognitive dissonance: sympathy for the President and, frankly, disdain for the profession I admire enormously. (more)

President Barack Obama should be worshiping at the grave of Richard Nixon. “Why,” you ask? (more)

First he won the Nobel Peace Prize within a year of moving into the White House, and now, with less than 18 months of executive power under his belt, historians agree that President Obama is one of the greatest U.S. presidents this country has ever seen. Well, cracks the top 15, at least. (more)

Pssst. Want to know the big secret about fathers this Father’s Day? (more)

ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) — Luci Baines Johnson, the youngest daughter of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, is making what her doctor calls “significant improvement” at the Mayo Clinic. (more)

The Democrats’ looming plan to use reconciliation to force their unpopular version of health care reform through the Senate stands as a testament to Harry Reid’s failed leadership and his unwillingness to work in a bipartisan fashion. (more)