LBJ: The Early Years LBJ: The Early Years LBJ: The Early Years was a television movie that appeared on the NBC network in February 1987, depicting the pre-presidential life of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States (1963-1969). Actor Randy Quaid won a Golden Globe award for his portrayal of Johnson. In 1934, then clerk for Texas Congressman Richard Kleberg, Lyndon Johnson (Randy Quaid) runs up the steps of the Capitol to meet with future Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn (Pat Hingle), who is sure he will work beside Johnson in the future. Johnson then runs off with his boss's
The American President in the movie President Shepherd never considers a "disproportionate" response while President Bartlet plans such an action to destroy a large civilian airport in Syria; he eventually gives the green light for a strike similar to the one used in the movie. The Global Defense Council, the fictional environmental lobby where Sydney Wade worked, is also featured in the "West Wing" episode called "The Drop-In", and is often referred to in other episodes. In "The American President", Sydney Ellen Wade is ultimately fired from her lobbyist position because the president has brokered a deal that causes her legislative effort to