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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
It's a Mighty Fragile Base, Bobby!
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

It's a Mighty Fragile Base, Bobby!

Artifact ID1973.1.2223
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist
Gifter
Publisher ()
Medium Ink and applied shading on illustration board
DimensionsOverall H 15 in x W 12 1/8 in (38.1 cm x 30.8 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A man (identifiable as Bobby Kennedy) floats upward on a large bubble ("Public Opinion") amid other bubbles ("JFK Memories”, “ Publicity", “$”, “$”, and “$”). In the foreground, LBJ has his back to Kennedy and holds a needle in front of him. Hubert Humphrey stands facing Kennedy and holds a needle behind his back. Caption: “It's a Mighty Fragile Base, Bobby!”. Artist signature upper right: "Hotch”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at upper center: “Editorial Page” “Line Cut” “4 ½””. Handwritten at upper right: [underline] “Today”. Handwritten at lower right: “5-0”.
Historical NotePresident Johnson’s approval ratings were very high at the start of his presidency and remained fairly high throughout 1964 and 1965 while much of the Great Society legislation was getting passed. By 1966, as the Vietnam War escalated, his approval and disapproval ratings were around the same. Throughout 1967-1968, his approval ratings continued to decline due to the Vietnam War. Robert Kennedy was the Attorney General under his brother’s administration and became a New York senator during Johnson’s presidency. He disagreed with Johnson’s Vietnam policy and became a prominent war critic. Kennedy ran for president in 1968 as an anti-war Democratic candidate until his assassination in June 1968.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from the general public to President Johnson during his term in office. It was received by President Johnson, until the President donated it to the Lyndon B Johnson Presidential Library in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 189698395)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Person Referenced Hubert H. Humphrey (United States, 1911 - 1978)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced Robert F. Kennedy (United States, 1925 - 1968)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
San Bernardino
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