I never heard that story. It makes sense. LBJ never deserved such respect.
I really wanted to see a Presidential campaign between Bernie and Trump. It would have been a good time for the REAL battle: Capitalism vs Socialism.
I hear what you're saying. Years ago I considered Bernie a qualified representative of the Socialist philosophy and vision. As an idealist quasi-hippie in my teens (the 60's), I probably would have voted for him at one time.
But Bernie betrayed even his own principles; he became just a lazy grifter willing to sell himself out. Worse, he's become incoherent when trying to explain and defend the socialist point of view. He's just a loon now.
Trump would do better to debate someone who could at least construct a reasoned argument for their beliefs. Alas, most Leftists are either foaming at the mouth, or hiding in a safe space. It's staggering to think that among today's Democrats, John Fetterman comes the closest to being sane or coherent.