Date: Fri, 1 Apr 1994 01:44:27 CST

From: "Donald M. Lance" ENGDL[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]MIZZOU1.BITNET

Subject: Re: Gum chewing



I remember Johnson's remark because it reminded me of the task that the five

siblings on our family had fun with in the early 1940s. Johnson's remark

wouldn't've reminded me of that scene on the Knox farm west of town if

he had said anything other than "walk backward and chew gum." My recollection

is that Johnson was not just insulting Ford but commenting on potential

dangers in the election. It's popular, and politically positive, of course

to remember only the coarseness of Johnson's speech. Who knows what's

correct? Political correctness isn't exactly new. For a long, long time it

has been politically incorrect to say nice things about Lyndon Baines

Johnson. He's not a hero of mine, but he did get the Civil Rights Act

passed, among other things. DMLance