W. Marvin Watson
Encyclopedia
William Marvin Watson was an advisor to U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson
and was Postmaster General
in 1968 and early 1969.
, and attended Baylor University
in Waco, Texas
, getting a scholarship as a musician. He entered the United States Marine Corps
during World War II
and saw action in the Pacific campaign during the later stage of the war. He began working for Johnson during the 1948 primary campaign for the Democratic nomination to run for the United States Senate
. At that time, there was no noteworthy Republican Party
in Texas, so the primary would effectively decide the election.
Watson continued being active in local politics as a "Johnson Man," rising to become the head of the Democratic Party
in Texas. In 1960, he both helped organize the Kennedy/Johnson campaign in Texas while also working directly for Johnson as an aide while campaigning across the United States. During Johnson's years as both a Senator as well as Vice-President, he repeatedly asked Watson to join his staff, but Watson declined, preferring the freedom of remaining an independent adviser to LBJ, rather than an employee.
Johnson called upon Watson to help organize the 1964 Democratic Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey
. Watson found it necessary to remove many Kennedy family loyalists from the convention staff, as he became convinced that they were working to either force Johnson to accept Robert Kennedy as his running mate, or else stampede the delegates to have RFK nominated for the presidency instead of Johnson.
Watson became the White House Chief of Staff
in-all-but-title to President Johnson in 1965, helping to coordinate passage of much of the Great Society
domestic agenda. In this position, his workday frequently began shortly after 6:00 in the morning, and he routinely didn't return home for the day until midnight or later; even during his off hours, he remained on call, and quite often found himself back at his desk in the White House on Sundays in order to deal with sudden issues. He was appointed Postmaster General in 1968, and is now the last surviving cabinet-level Postmaster General.
After the end of the Johnson administration in 1969, Watson became an official with Occidental Petroleum
, working with Armand Hammer
. He had been offered the U.S. ambassadorship to Australia
by Richard Nixon
, but declined so as to be able to spend more time with his family.
He delivered a heartfelt eulogy
at Johnson's state funeral
in January 1973, emphasizing his obsessive dedication to the betterment of America.
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
and was Postmaster General
United States Postmaster General
The United States Postmaster General is the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Postal Service. The office, in one form or another, is older than both the United States Constitution and the United States Declaration of Independence...
in 1968 and early 1969.
Biography
Watson was born in Oakhurst, TexasOakhurst, Texas
Oakhurst is an unincorporated community in San Jacinto County, Texas, United States. The population was 230 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a city; the city government was dissolved on May 9, 2000.-Geography:...
, and attended Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
in Waco, Texas
Waco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
, getting a scholarship as a musician. He entered the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and saw action in the Pacific campaign during the later stage of the war. He began working for Johnson during the 1948 primary campaign for the Democratic nomination to run for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. At that time, there was no noteworthy Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
in Texas, so the primary would effectively decide the election.
Watson continued being active in local politics as a "Johnson Man," rising to become the head of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
in Texas. In 1960, he both helped organize the Kennedy/Johnson campaign in Texas while also working directly for Johnson as an aide while campaigning across the United States. During Johnson's years as both a Senator as well as Vice-President, he repeatedly asked Watson to join his staff, but Watson declined, preferring the freedom of remaining an independent adviser to LBJ, rather than an employee.
Johnson called upon Watson to help organize the 1964 Democratic Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
. Watson found it necessary to remove many Kennedy family loyalists from the convention staff, as he became convinced that they were working to either force Johnson to accept Robert Kennedy as his running mate, or else stampede the delegates to have RFK nominated for the presidency instead of Johnson.
Watson became the White House Chief of Staff
White House Chief of Staff
The White House Chief of Staff is the highest ranking member of the Executive Office of the President of the United States and a senior aide to the President.The current White House Chief of Staff is Bill Daley.-History:...
in-all-but-title to President Johnson in 1965, helping to coordinate passage of much of the Great Society
Great Society
The Great Society was a set of domestic programs in the United States promoted by President Lyndon B. Johnson and fellow Democrats in Congress in the 1960s. Two main goals of the Great Society social reforms were the elimination of poverty and racial injustice...
domestic agenda. In this position, his workday frequently began shortly after 6:00 in the morning, and he routinely didn't return home for the day until midnight or later; even during his off hours, he remained on call, and quite often found himself back at his desk in the White House on Sundays in order to deal with sudden issues. He was appointed Postmaster General in 1968, and is now the last surviving cabinet-level Postmaster General.
After the end of the Johnson administration in 1969, Watson became an official with Occidental Petroleum
Occidental Petroleum
Occidental Petroleum Corporation is a California-based oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, the Middle East, North Africa, and South America...
, working with Armand Hammer
Armand Hammer
Armand Hammer was an American business tycoon most closely associated with Occidental Petroleum, a company he ran for decades, though he was known as well as for his art collection, his philanthropy, and for his close ties to the Soviet Union.Thanks to business interests around the world and his...
. He had been offered the U.S. ambassadorship to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
by Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
, but declined so as to be able to spend more time with his family.
He delivered a heartfelt eulogy
Eulogy
A eulogy is a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially one recently deceased or retired. Eulogies may be given as part of funeral services. However, some denominations either discourage or do not permit eulogies at services to maintain respect for traditions...
at Johnson's state funeral
State funeral
A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of protocol, held to honor heads of state or other important people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive elements of military tradition...
in January 1973, emphasizing his obsessive dedication to the betterment of America.
Further reading
- W. Marvin Watson & Sherwin Markman. Chief of Staff: Lyndon Johnson and His Presidency. Thomas Dunne Books, 2004. ISBN 0-312-28504-3