Sam Rayburn: Trials of a Party Man Page: 3
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Garner that Rayburn first perceived the significance of the
"you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" style of politics.
During the 1932 Democratic Convention, Rayburn began to
gravitate toward another more substantial source of power
than Garner. When it became obvious that Franklin Roosevelt
would be the choice of the Democratic Party and, indeed, the
nation, Rayburn unhesitatingly gave up the presidential
fight for Garner in order to build credits with his new
source of power, Roosevelt.
For the next eight tumultuous years, Sam Rayburn
attempted to feed off both sources of power, catering when-
ever possible to the interests of both Roosevelt and Garner.
When his two mentors took issue with each other, Rayburn
always sided with the highest authority--the president. His
behavior during these years is unusual because of its lack
of ideology. Consistent support of Garner might have
revealed a predominantly conservative bias in Rayburn's
political thinking. Likewise, consistent support of Roose-
velt might have revealed a liberal bent in his philosophy.
Consistent support of both men at the same time, however, is
testimony to the absence of any true political philosophy in
Rayburn's behavior. The best explanation of his actions
is that his desire for political power was so compelling
that he had no ideology, liberal or conservative.
As majority leader and ultimately speaker of the House,
Sam Rayburn never once took public issue with Franklin
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Daniel, Edward O. Sam Rayburn: Trials of a Party Man, dissertation, May 1979; Denton, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc500595/m1/3/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .