Questions: Why were the findings from the commission on Kennedy's assassination critical to the success of Johnson's presidency? How did Johnson convince Richard Russell to join the commission on Kennedy's death? Why does Johnson tell Richard Russell, "... I can't arrest you and I'm not going to put the FBI on you, but you're goddamned sure going to serve"?

The answer is: The findings would build strong coalitions between Democrats and Republicans.

The findings from the commission on Kennedy's assassination were critical to Johnson's presidency because they helped to build strong coalitions between Democrats and Republicans. By establishing a bipartisan commission, Johnson aimed to ensure that the investigation was seen as fair and credible, which was essential for maintaining public trust and political stability during a tumultuous time.

While the Cold War context was significant, the primary focus of the commission was to investigate the assassination itself rather than directly preventing a war with Russia. The findings were more about domestic political stability than international relations.

The commission's findings were not directly related to the safety of Johnson's travel. The focus was on understanding the circumstances of Kennedy's assassination and ensuring a transparent investigation.

Regarding the other questions:

1. How did Johnson convince Richard Russell to join the commission on Kennedy's death?

   • Johnson used a combination of persuasion and pressure to convince Richard Russell to join the commission. He appealed to Russell's sense of duty and the importance of having a credible and respected figure on the commission to ensure its legitimacy.

2. Why does Johnson tell Richard Russell, "... I can't arrest you and I'm not going to put the FBI on you, but you're goddamned sure going to serve"?

   • This statement reflects Johnson's determination and assertive leadership style. He was emphasizing the importance of Russell's participation and using a mix of humor and pressure to ensure his cooperation, highlighting the critical nature of the commission's work.