Election Politics
Domestic political considerations shaped Vietnam policy across multiple administrations. Johnson campaigned in 1964 as the peace candidate while privately planning escalation. Nixon later promised a “secret plan” to end the war during his 1968 campaign. Congressional representatives feared looking soft on communism to voters. The political risks of withdrawal seemed greater than continuing the fight. This calculation kept the war going even after military leaders recognized the stalemate. Political courage to change course remained scarce until public opinion shifted dramatically against the war.
