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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
The Most Happy Fella
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

The Most Happy Fella

Artifact ID1973.1.2232
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Publisher ()
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 in x W 11 1/4 in (35.6 cm x 28.6 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ and two other men (“R.F.K.” and “McCarthy”) are each atop a column of a bar graph ("Latest Democratic Voter Poll"). LBJ is highest, then Bobby Kennedy, with McCarthy much lower. Caption: “The Most Happy Fella”. Artist signature lower left: "McCarty”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: "Best wishes - Gene". Handwritten at upper left: “Wed. Edit”. Handwritten at upper right: “2-W”.
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. Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy ran for president in 1968 during the Democratic primaries as an antiwar candidate, announcing his campaign on November 30, 1967.
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 Eugene J. McCarthy (United States, 1916 - 2005)
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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