LBJ: The Early Years

In 1934, Lyndon Johnson rushes up the steps of the Capitol to meet Sam Rayburn, who believes Johnson will work beside him in the future. Rayburn's confidence plants Johnson's political ambitions. The encounter sets the path for his early career.

Johnson steals his boss's Cadillac and drives all night to pick up Lady Bird at her father's Texas home. He returns with his future wife to Washington, D.C. The bold move reveals his willingness to bend rules for his political dreams.

Back in Washington, Johnson and Lady Bird have a tense encounter with Kleberg's standoffish wife who suspects Johnson's political motives. The meeting exposes strains within Johnsons early circle. The couple's perseverance in the capital continues to grow.

After being fired by the Congressman, Johnson notices a vacant seat in Congress. He pressures Judge Alvin Wirtz to give him a chance to run. He learns that he will need money to mount a serious campaign.

Lady Bird's father provides the ten thousand dollars required to start the contest. He also confirms that the widow of the former congressman will not run. Johnson begins to campaign with renewed energy.

Johnson tours the Hill Country with his father and wife, promising to bring services like power and water. The schedule is brutal and he relies on cigarettes and Milk of Magnesia to keep going. His abdominal pain culminates in a collapse and an operation to remove a ruptured appendix.

Johnson wakes from surgery to learn he has won the election. He moves into a new level of political power as he steps into the Capitol with Sam Rayburn, an elevator ride signaling his ascent. The moment cements his rise.

A phone call informs him that his father has died, prompting a return to Texas for the funeral. He discovers his mother is left in debt despite the family's sacrifices. The financial strain pushes him toward cultivating lobbyist connections to fund his projects.

At a party hosted by a major backer, Johnson meets the vivacious Alice Glass who becomes a source of ambition. Lady Bird remains supportive, determined to help him succeed and keep the marriage intact. The personal life and political ambitions intertwine.

In 1948 Johnson runs for the U.S. Senate and faces Coke Stevenson in a tight race. A deadlock on the floor is broken when a drunk member's vote swings the nomination his way. Johnson defeats the Republican candidate in November to win the seat.

Johnson starts his Senate career by parking in the reserved Majority Leader spot, provoking the parking attendant. The incident marks his stubborn approach to power. Over time his name becomes associated with the coveted space.

Johnson works with all Senate members to push civil rights and to amend Taft-Hartley. He clashes with McCarthy and navigates foreign policy as JFK emerges. He secures signals of influence on committees including the potential for JFK's Foreign Relations Committee seat.

In 1959 Robert Kennedy visits Texas to gauge Johnsons presidential plans. Johnson greets him with skepticism, calling him a Harvard man and trying to embarrass him in public. The exchange reveals the growing political chess game among the Kennedys and Johnson.

After JFK wins the nomination, Rayburn advises Johnson before considering the VP offer. Johnson initially declines but soon accepts after Rayburn's change of heart. The move positions him to become the next potential leader of the nation.

Following JFK's election, Johnson is sidelined in the White House until the Dallas assassination changes everything. He takes the oath of office aboard Air Force One with Jacqueline Kennedy by his side. The film closes with his ascent to the presidency and the weight of history on his shoulders.