day was known as a hard working, irascible, and ornery public figure noted for his intensity. governor tom mccall once said of his friend and political ally, "you have to understand l. b. he starts negotiations at the death struggle." in the literature for his 1986 reelection campaign, day admitted "i have been accused of being aggressive to a fault. no question that is a failing," he went on, "but my temperature rises when i see time wasted, money frittered away and elected officials dodging issues."