Lyndon Baines Johnson lived only 64 years. But he crammed a lot of living into those 64 years. And he had as much of an impact on this country as anyone in the 20th Century.

The tall Texan who spent nearly half his life in public office would have been 100 years old today.

As a Senate majority leader he ruled the chamber, slapping backs and twisting arms as need be. As president he was able to get many programs through Congress, but had to contend with a war he could not find a way to win.

Johnson did many good things. In the Senate he spearheaded the Civil ...