The real story behind 'Selma'

in the news | January 03, 2015

CNN

Julian E. Zelizer:

But the movie is correct in asserting that Johnson disagreed with civil rights leaders on the timing; he was not ready to actually propose a bill to Congress. While Johnson wanted a bill, he didn't feel he could deal with the issue until later in 1965. Johnson feared that the time was not right. He sensed that he wouldn't be able to find enough support in the House and Senate.