thumb|right|President Truman presents the Congressional Gold Medal to Vice President Barkley honoring his years of legislative service. Barkley tried to mentor Scott Lucas and Ernest McFarland, his immediate successors as floor leader, by teaching them to work with the vice president as he had during Truman's vice presidency, but Truman's unpopularity made cooperation between the executive branch and the legislature difficult. After the U.S. entered the Korean War, Truman focused on foreign affairs, leaving Barkley to campaign for Democratic candidates in the 1950 midterm elections. He traveled over and spoke in almost half of the states during the campaign.Davis, p. 122 He felt ill when he arrived in Paducah on election day, and a doctor diagnosed him with a "tired heart".Davis, p. 123 Returning to Washington, D.C., he spent several days in the Bethesda Naval Hospital, but was able to preside when the Senate opened its session on November 28. Democrats lost seats in both houses but maintained majorities in each.
thumb|right|President Truman presents the Congressional Gold Medal to Vice President Barkley honoring his years of legislative service Barkley tried to mentor Scott Lucas and Ernest McFarland, his immediate successors as floor leader, by teaching them to work with the vice president as he had during Truman's vice presidency, but Truman's unpopularity made cooperation between the executive branch and the legislature difficult. After the U.S. entered the Korean War, Truman focused on foreign affairs, leaving Barkley to campaign for Democratic candidates in the 1950 midterm elections. He traveled over and spoke in almost half of the states during the campaign.Davis, p. 122 He felt ill when he arrived in Paducah on election day, and a doctor diagnosed him with a "tired heart".Davis, p. 123 Returning to Washington, DC., he spent several days in the Bethesda Naval Hospital, but was able to preside when the Senate opened its session on November 28 Democrats lost seats in both houses but maintained majorities in each.