While America digests the latest news, regarding the Presidential race for 2024 and the sudden decision made only earlier today .not to seek re-election to office by President Joe Biden, it brings to mind another surprise announcement.
When President Lyndon Johnson chose not to seek re-election, it tossed the political landscape, and most of America into a state of near-chaos, only made worse by the assassination of front runner Robert F. Kennedy less than three months later.
It wasn’t an expected address. It came at the end of an address regarding the situation in Vietnam, a war which was growing worse and more unpopular by the day. Since the Vietnam war was a daily series of reports and protests, an address by LBJ held no hope it would spell good news, or even news that made the situation any different. And by the time we were getting ready to turn off the Radio (or the TV) and get back to our lives, this happened:
President Johnson: “Fifty-two months and 10 days ago, in a moment of tragedy and trauma, the duties of this office fell upon me. I asked then for your help and God’s, that we might continue America on its course, binding up our wounds, healing our history, moving forward in new unity, to clear the American agenda and to keep the American commitment for all of our people.
United we have kept that commitment. And united we have enlarged that commitment.
And through all time to come, I think America will be a stronger nation, a more just society, and a land of greater opportunity and fulfillment because of what we have all done together in these years of unparalleled achievement.
Our reward will come in the life of freedom, peace, and hope that our children will enjoy through ages ahead.
What we won when all of our people united just must not now be lost in suspicion, and distrust, and selfishness, and politics among any of our people.
And believing this as I do, I have concluded that I should not permit the Presidency to become involved in the partisan divisions that are developing in this political year.
With America’s sons in the fields far away, with America’s future under challenge right here at home, with our hopes and the world’s hopes for peace in the balance every day, I do not believe that I should devote an hour or a day of my time to any personal partisan causes or to any duties other than the awesome duties of this office–the Presidency of your country.
Accordingly, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President.
But let men everywhere know, however, that a strong, and a confident, and a vigilant America stands ready tonight to seek an honorable peace–and stands ready tonight to defend an honored cause–whatever the price, whatever the burden, whatever the sacrifice that duty may require.
Thank you for listening.
Good night and God bless all of you.”
And with that, America scrambled to figure out what was next.
It was one more episode in a fractured and divisive year – one that almost compares to 2024.
Have a listen.
