| Part of Presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson and 1968 Democratic Party presidential primaries | |
.jpg) President Johnson announces that he will not run for re–election. | |
| Date | March 31, 1968 |
|---|---|
| Location | White House |
| Outcome |
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On March 31, 1968, then-incumbent US President Lyndon B. Johnson made a surprise announcement during a televised address to the nation that began around 9 p.m.,[1] declaring that he would not seek re–election for another term and was withdrawing from the 1968 United States presidential election. Johnson stated, "I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President."[2][3]
At first Johnson's only significant challenger in the 1968 Democratic Party presidential primaries was Eugene McCarthy, an anti-war senator from Minnesota. Johnson's announcement to drop out of the race came after McCarthy nearly won the New Hampshire primary and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, another critic of the war and the brother of the late President John F. Kennedy, entered the race.
Johnson's decision opened the door for Vice President Hubert Humphrey to become the Democratic Party's nominee. The 1968 Democratic National Convention, held in Chicago, was marked by significant protests and clashes between demonstrators and police,[4] reflecting the deep divisions within the nation.
The 1968 election saw Republican Party candidate Richard Nixon emerge victorious, defeating Humphrey and third-party candidate George Wallace. Nixon's campaign capitalized on themes of law and order and a promise to end the Vietnam War conflict and United States involvement, which resonated with many voters.[5]
- ^ Frankel, Max (March 31, 1968). "Johnson to Talk to Nation Tonight on Vietnam War" (fee required). The New York Times. p. 1. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
WASHINGTON, March 30 — President Johnson will address the nation at 9 P.M. tomorrow to deal 'rather fully' with the situation in Vietnam, including further troop build-ups, the possibility of reserve call-ups and the additional costs thereof.
- ^ "Remarks on Decision not to Seek Re-Election (March 31, 1968)". The Miller Center, University of Virginia. October 20, 2016. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
- ^ Cohen, Michael A. (April 2, 2016). "LBJ drops out of 1968 presidential race". OUPblog. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ "1968 Democratic Convention - Protests, Yippies, Witnesses". History Channel. May 3, 2024. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ "Presidential Election of 1968 - 270toWin". 270toWin.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.