—fight like you did, Hubert.[note 1] The Presidential Recordings Program revised the following section of text in 2021 for inclusion in The LBJ Telephone Tapes, a project produced by the Miller Center in partnership with the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library to commemorate the library's 50th anniversary. It was a wonderful one, and it wasn’t your fault that they didn’t make it. It’s—you did . . . you did the greatest job anybody’s ever done in this—

Yeah, I’m sorry I let you down a little.

No, you didn’t. No, you didn’t. It’s a lot of other folks, but not you.

Well, I just want you to know—

It’s our—

—I appreciate your help.

[Humphrey acknowledges throughout.] It was our own people in the [Democratic] Party that created all the problems, and all the conditions, and stirred up all the divisiveness, and now they’re blaming everybody else.

Yeah.

But you came out of it in mighty good shape, and I just wished it could’ve been a few hundred more.

That’s right. Well, if we could’ve done it just a little better, but we’re not going to cry. Nothing you can do about it. We’ll be back there—I’m going to take two days off and maybe go down to Caneel Bay [U.S. Virgin Islands]. You tell Lady Bird [Johnson] I’m going down to her favorite haunt down there.[note 2] Lady Bird Johnson (née Claudia Alta Taylor) was the wife of Lyndon B. Johnson since 1934, and first lady of the United States from November 1963 to January 1969.

Well, she’ll—I’m trying to locate her, just let her tell you how much we all love you.

Well—

We’ve been in tears. We sent you a wire at Waverly [Minnesota], and—

Well, thank you so much.[note 3] Humphrey seems to choke up as he speaks.

I think I’ll just read it to you; you may not get it. “You have fought well and hard. You’ve carried your convictions and the standard of our party with eloquence and magnificent courage. In 20 years of national service, you’ve had no finer hours than those of the past few weeks, in which you awakened the support and the interest of millions of our people. As a fellow public servant and as a Democrat, your friend of two decades, I’m proud of the brave, enlightened, and vigorous campaign you waged.” [aside] Come here, Bird! [to Hubert Humphrey] “I know that you’ll continue to serve America in the cause of freedom for as long as you live. My deep admiration and affection for you and Muriel [F. Humphrey].”[note 4] Muriel F. Humphrey (née Buck) was the wife of Hubert H. Humphrey Jr.; second lady of the United States from January 1965 to January 1969; and a U.S. senator [D–Minnesota] from January 1978 to November 1978.

Thank you.

Here’s Bird. Here’s Bird.

[speaking in the background] Who’s that?

[aside to Lady Bird Johnson] Hubert.

[speaking to Humphrey] Hubert [unclear]?

Yes, dear.

You were just great. I was so proud of you.

Thank you.

There wasn’t a soul in this house but what was standing around un—looking first happy, and then droopy and, well—

[chuckling] Yeah, I know.

You were just magnificent—

[Unclear.]

—and so was Muriel, and—

Well, Muriel’s right here. I know she’d like to say a word to you, Lady Bird. And I just thank you so much. Will you?

And if there’s anything that we can—we’ve got, we want to share with you. And we’re just so proud of you.

Thank you.

And [Richard M. “Dick”] Nixon’s coming on [television].[note 5] Richard M. “Dick” Nixon was a U.S. representative [R–California] from January 1947 to December 1950; a U.S. senator [R–California] from January 1951 to January 1953; vice president of the United States from January 1953 to January 1961; Republican nominee for president in 1960; Republican candidate for governor of California in 1962; and president of the United States from January 1969 until his resignation on 9 August 1974. I better let you go.

Let me just—I have Muriel—say "hello" to you.

All right.

Bird?

Yes, dear.

Hi, dear.

You emerged as the star of this.

Well, bless your heart. We—

Even if it is on very slightly, slightly the little end.

[Laughs.] Well, it was really a terrific experience for our whole family and all, and—

And I think you have a place in the hearts of the people that’ll just—will always be remembered. Both of you do. And Hubert’s last statement was just so eloquent and gallant, and just—I just loved it.

That’s wonderful. Gosh, I just wish we could’ve carried it for you folks.

[Laughs.] And tell all—I better—If you’re going where I think you might, tell all the fish hello for me.

[laughing] I will. That’s exactly what we’re going to do, dear.

OK.

We’re going to leave about Friday.

That’ll be wonderful—

Are you going to be up in Washington?

By tomorrow, I think.

Well, maybe you and I’ll bowl a little tomorrow night, or something—

Goody, goody!

—after we get back?

I’d love it. I’d love it. [Muriel Humphrey acknowledges.] Call me as soon as you get back.

When we get back, I’ll give you a call.

Just one second.

Yeah.

We love you, and you were wonderful, and whatever we got, we’ll divide it 50/50 with you.

Oh, thank you, Mr. President.

Good-bye.

It was a great experience.

God bless you, darling.

Thank you—

Bye.

—very much.

Bye.

Here’s Hubert—[note 6] End of 2021 revisions.