LBJ and Robert McNamara, 1/31/68, time unknown.
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- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
- Telephone Conversation between President Johnson and Robert McNamara.
Citation No.: 12617
January 31, 1968
Time: unknown
Location: Mansion
Speakers: President Johnson and Robert McNamara
General Topics: Congressional Relations; Defense; Diplomacy; East Asia & The Pacific; National Politics; Press Relations; Public Relations; Vietnam
Topics: McNamara Reports On US Nuclear Submarine Accident; Discussion Of Tet Offensive, Khe Sanh And Possible Effect On Peace Talks; Need For Press Briefings; Last Night's Meeting With Gerald Ford, Everett Dirksen On USS Pueblo; Briefings By Military Officers
More info on the LBJ telephone conversations: www.lbjlib.utex...
President Johnson assigned his copyright to the United States government; however, the copyright of the President may not extend beyond statements made by President Johnson. Statements uttered by officials of the United States government in the course of their duties are considered to be in the public domain. Users of the recordings and transcripts are cautioned, however, that not all persons recorded were government officials. A number of the people recorded were, at the time of recording, private citizens. Therefore, those intending to quote from this material beyond the accepted limits of fair use are cautioned to determine the copyright implications of any intended publication.
did he say Jerry Ford?
Yes.
these men at the 8 minute to 9 minute mark display all the obsessive hallmarks of "short-term" thinking: >>>>what about the goddam 52 minutes>>>>.
i think that the sequence of their exchange around the 4 minute mark is most instructive:
both discuss and agree that the first-- their first-- response is to highlight the role and stature of General Westmoreland. the notion that a political discussion with our allies and their political connections with the North is totally alien to their "gut thinking."
i think it is fascinating that McNamara is --near the end of the tape--, trying to explain and justify his apparent use of a Lt. General to act as his proxy and present his views to perhaps a skeptical audience.
McNamara was able to spin Tet as a win, stating that heavy losses can be inflicted on the North Vietnamese and trying to convince LBJ that the war was winnable. This after punishing the Pentagon Papers in 1965.
Publishing
He didn’t publish, he authorized the study or history be conducted. The findings were that of the Rand Corporation and Ellsberg who worked on the paper. The findings were leaked to the media who published them. Quite a difference, and when he informed Johnson it could not be one, they replaced him. He was made head of the world bank, and Nixon continued the war for another 4 years.
The war was winable the Vietcong was DESTROYED. If the right strategy was used war could be won