Nixon's Path Depends on Delay
An intercepted call reveals the election's stakes
1968 had already been a tumultuous year.
If you'd like to wait here, please, Mrs. Chennault.
They will be down in a minute.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
By September, Bob McNamara had resigned as Secretary of Defense, Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy had been assassinated, and President LBJ had announced he wouldn't run for re-election.
America's next president would either be the incumbent vice president, Hubert Humphrey, or another former vice president, Richard Nixon.
Humphrey was ahead, but the longer the Vietnam War dragged on, the closer the race was becoming.
[door opening]
Ah, Mrs. Chennault.
Apologies for keeping you waiting.
Not at all, Ms.
Page.
A pleasure to see you again.
And can I introduce Tom Karamasines, our deputy director of plans.
Mm-hmm.
Mrs. Chennault, a pleasure.
And where's my friend, the director, Mr. Helms?
Otherwise engaged, unfortunately.
Oh.
[laughs] Well, anyway, I'm glad you could see me.
We can always find time for such a friend of the agency.
It must be 10 years since Major General Chennault died.
Mm.
Last month, yes.
1968 had already been a tumultuous year.
If you'd like to wait here, please, Mrs. Chennault.
They will be down in a minute.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
By September, Bob McNamara had resigned as Secretary of Defense, Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy had been assassinated, and President LBJ had announced he wouldn't run for re-election.
America's next president would either be the incumbent vice president, Hubert Humphrey, or another former vice president, Richard Nixon.
Humphrey was ahead, but the longer the Vietnam War dragged on, the closer the race was becoming.
[door opening]
Ah, Mrs. Chennault.
Apologies for keeping you waiting.
Not at all, Ms.
Page.
A pleasure to see you again.
And can I introduce Tom Karamasines, our deputy director of plans.
Mm-hmm.
Mrs. Chennault, a pleasure.
And where's my friend, the director, Mr. Helms?
Otherwise engaged, unfortunately.
Oh.
[laughs] Well, anyway, I'm glad you could see me.
We can always find time for such a friend of the agency.
It must be 10 years since Major General Chennault died.
Mm.
Last month, yes.
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3 of 8
Nixon's Path Depends on Delay
An intercepted call reveals the election's stakes
A Peace Deal Becomes Dangerous
Ambition turns diplomacy into a dangerous gamble
LBJ Loses Patience Completely
War negotiations collapse over one unresolved demand
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