“Joe Biden wants to be every legislator’s friend.”: A Conversation with Former Lt. Governor Ben Barnes

With the Bark Off: Conversations on the American Presidency

Ben Barnes was a political protégé of Lyndon Johnson. Elected to the Texas legislature in 1960, he became the Speaker of the Texas House at age 26, making him the youngest House Speaker in a state legislature in 95 years. He went on to become Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1969, a post he held for 4 years.

As a politician, political strategist or lobbyist, he has come to know every president since John F. Kennedy, offering political counsel to many, and has an especially close relationship with Joe Biden, whom he met when Biden was elected to become the Junior Senator from Delaware in 1972.

Barnes talks about last week’s tragic siege on our nation’s Capitol, the fate of President Trump, and what the Biden presidency will look like.

Copies of Barnes’ book “Barn Burning, Barn Building” are available for sale from The Store at LBJ.