Presidential Recordings Program

President Johnson: Yes, sir?

Richard Daley: Hiya pal, how are you doing?

President Johnson: Pretty good, pretty good. Have you--

Daley: I hear you're still rousing the crowds wherever you go.

The Democratic primaries in Illinois served as a test of political strength of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and the Illinois political machine he headed. A series of primary and other votes on June 15, 1966, reaffirmed Daley's continuing influence despite concerted attacks from critics leading up to the votes. 

Johnson had recently returned from Honolulu where he had met with U.S. military commanders and South Korean President Chung Hee Park. On March 31, Johnson had called for two weeks of greatly reduced U.S.

President Johnson followed up on Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's request for federal troops to help control the riots in Chicago in the wake of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination.

Operator: Hello?

President Johnson: Yes?

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley called President Johnson to ask for federal troops to help control the rioting in Chicago in the wake of the assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King.

Operator: There you are.

President Johnson: Hello?

Richard Daley: Mr. President?

President Johnson: Yes, Mayor.

Richard Daley: Hello, Mr. President?

President Johnson: How are you?

Daley: From the Daley home to the President and Mrs. Johnson and your family, a merry merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

President Johnson: Thank you, Mayor.