Historical interlude

by digby

Check out this tape of Lyndon Johnson on the phone talking about the Alaska earthquake in 1964. What amazes me the most about it is the extent to which he’s directing the action (or thinks he is, anyway.)

This Presidential Recording Program is fascinating, by the way. It makes you realize that these presidents’ openness to being recorded reflects a very different time. They simply assumed that they were protected by their status, position and place in history. They weren’t. I think that’s a good thing overall. They shouldn’t be so sure of themselves. On the other hand, history has lost something extremely valuable: an unbiased inside view of the presidency during times of crisis.

Now we’re stuck with Bob Woodward.

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