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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Take Us to Your Leader
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Take Us to Your Leader

Artifact ID1965.28.10
Artist (1903 - 1979)
Publisher ()
Medium Ink and developer on Craftint paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 1/2 in x W 19 1/2 in (36.8 cm x 49.5 cm )

Physical Description
Physical Description​​Original cartoon drawing. LBJ wearing a space helmet leads a long line of helmeted men ("Rayburn", "Symington", "Jackson", "Kennedy", "Monroney") emerging from a space ship ("Space-Minded Democratic Congress"). LBJ presents paper "Call for 'Specific Blueprints' of Defense Plans" to man labeled "Presidential Assistant Sherman Adams). Next to Adams is a box of "Mail" with notes saying "congrats", "fine speech", and "great speech". Jackson holds a book titled "Alarming Missle Stories" by "Alsop". A small robot ("Wayne Morse" is depicted away from the crowd and labeled "from Planet GOP-DEM". A small Sputnik satellie is depicted in the night's sky. Caption reads: "Take Us to Your Leader". Artist signature lower right: "Yardley."
Historical NoteThe space race refers to the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union in advancements in space exploration due to anxiety regarding nuclear weapons being kept in space. Sherman Adams was the White House chief of staff under President Eisenhower and a liberal Republican. In this cartoon, congressmen petition Adams for more space exploration such as Senator Lyndon Johnson, House Speaker Sam Rayburn of Texas, Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts, Senator Henry Jackson of Washington, Senator Richard Russell of Georgia, Senator Stuart Symington of Missouri, and Senator Almer Stilwell Monroney of Oklahoma. Also in this cartoon, Senator Wayne Morse of Oregon is from “Planet GOP-Dem,” a reference to his switch from Republican to independent to Democrat during the 1950s.
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 Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
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 Sherman Adams (American, 1899 - 1986)
Person Referenced Stuart Symington (American, 1901 - 1988)
Person Referenced Richard Russell (American, 1897 - 1971)
Person Referenced Henry Jackson (American, 1912 - 1983)
Person Referenced Wayne Morse (American, 1900 - 1974)
Person Referenced John F. Kennedy (American, 1917 - 1963)
Person Referenced Almer Stillwell Monroney (American, 1902 - 1980)
Person Referenced Sam Rayburn (American, 1882 - 1961)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (American, 1908 - 1973)
Not on view
Place of Publication