“Withdrawal Speech” by President Johnson
3/31/1968
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The first drafts of this March speech by President Lyndon B. Johnson emphasized winning the war in Vietnam. An alternate version emphasized ending the war — Johnson chose that one. He called for a halt to bombing, greater reliance on the South Vietnamese, and a modest troop increase. In April, North Vietnam agreed to open peace talks.
Shown on this page, Johnson shocked even his closest advisers when he announced his decision not to run for a second term as President: “I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President.”
This draft includes corrections in the President's handwriting.
Shown on this page, Johnson shocked even his closest advisers when he announced his decision not to run for a second term as President: “I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President.”
This draft includes corrections in the President's handwriting.
This primary source comes from the Collection LBJ-STMNT: Statements Files.
National Archives Identifier: 2803405
Full Citation: Draft Page Three of the Last Section of the March 31, 1968 Speech by Lyndon Johnson; 3/31/1968; 3/31/68 Original Drafts "Accordingly I Shall Not Seek - and Would Not Accept the Nomination of my Party for Another Term"; Statements Files, 9/23/1927 - 12/26/1972; Collection LBJ-STMNT: Statements Files; Lyndon Baines Johnson Library, Austin, TX. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/withdrawal-johnson, February 18, 2025]Activities that use this document
- The Vietnam War Timeline: Understanding the nature of a controversial conflict
Created by the National Archives Education Team
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