Those who say LBJ was just continuing JFK's policies in Vietnam can find support for that view in this interview. RFK certainly did not sound vigorously opposed to LBJ's escalation of the war in 1965. It was only when things started going poorly that he broke with LBJ on the war.
Nor did he oppose LBJ sending in marines on March 8, 1965. If JFK had been so against that wouldn't RFK or even Ted Kennedy voice opposition on the senate floor when combat troops were introduced?
LBJ's escalation in 1965 was in fact the 2nd major escalation of military involvement in Vietnam; the 1st escalation occurred under JFK. When JFK came to power there were < 500 military in Vietnam, and when he was assassinated on Nov 22/63, there were over 16,000 so-called advisors in the country. JFK was stuck and that train had left the station. He was headed down the same path that Johnson took with Operation Rolling Thunder in early 1965. The Kennedys and their advisors saw Vietnam in cold war terms, and the memory of the fall of China to Mao was still very fresh on their minds.
Theres videos of him saying as late as march 1968 that he wasnt in favor of ending the draft and that, while he was in favor of de-escalation, he thought we shouldnt withdraw completely until the war is won and we need to keep troops there to protect larger cities. The idea that he was going to "save us" from Vietnam is indeed a myth
That's not true...JFK was likely killed because he would not escalate this nonsense war...In a Sept 63 interview with Cronkite he stated it was their fight...he said we could help, but it was their war...he also reiterated this in a Nov press conference just before he died. Johnson was just a piece of garbage who sent tens of thousands of men to an early grave...and for what? True Bobby seemed to take more of a "let's see what happens" approach until he saw just how useless the war became.
Of course there is unease. Brother Jack got them into Vietnam, with approx. 16,000+ military when he was assassinated (up from < 500 when he took office), and RFK could neither run nor hide from that fact.
The Kennedy's were extremely anticommunist. Like his big bro, he was really confused on the Vietnam situation. It's definitely a simple decision. Let Vietnam go and focus on the other nations in southeast Asia. The French really fumbled Vietnam but they themselves knew it was a lost cause. Had America focused more on Cambodia, laos, Indonesia and Malaysia, then Vietnam Would be just been scraps for the Soviets. Thousand of young soldiers death later, here we are....decades later realizing the entire war was uneccesary.
In this video he looks like he is still grieving and lacking his fighting spirit. After this he emerged so strong!
Happy belated birthday RFK.
Conversations are important
Those who say LBJ was just continuing JFK's policies in Vietnam can find support for that view in this interview. RFK certainly did not sound vigorously opposed to LBJ's escalation of the war in 1965. It was only when things started going poorly that he broke with LBJ on the war.
Nor did he oppose LBJ sending in marines on March 8, 1965. If JFK had been so against that wouldn't RFK or even Ted Kennedy voice opposition on the senate floor when combat troops were introduced?
LBJ's escalation in 1965 was in fact the 2nd major escalation of military involvement in Vietnam; the 1st escalation occurred under JFK. When JFK came to power there were < 500 military in Vietnam, and when he was assassinated on Nov 22/63, there were over 16,000 so-called advisors in the country. JFK was stuck and that train had left the station. He was headed down the same path that Johnson took with Operation Rolling Thunder in early 1965.
The Kennedys and their advisors saw Vietnam in cold war terms, and the memory of the fall of China to Mao was still very fresh on their minds.
Theres videos of him saying as late as march 1968 that he wasnt in favor of ending the draft and that, while he was in favor of de-escalation, he thought we shouldnt withdraw completely until the war is won and we need to keep troops there to protect larger cities. The idea that he was going to "save us" from Vietnam is indeed a myth
That's not true...JFK was likely killed because he would not escalate this nonsense war...In a Sept 63 interview with Cronkite he stated it was their fight...he said we could help, but it was their war...he also reiterated this in a Nov press conference just before he died. Johnson was just a piece of garbage who sent tens of thousands of men to an early grave...and for what? True Bobby seemed to take more of a "let's see what happens" approach until he saw just how useless the war became.
Whatever else you could say about Kennedy's response, it's anything but a whole-hearted endorsement of the war. You can sense his unease in this clip.
Of course there is unease. Brother Jack got them into Vietnam, with approx. 16,000+ military when he was assassinated (up from < 500 when he took office), and RFK could neither run nor hide from that fact.
Thanks for posting please put up the rest of this interview if u have it
He was only 40 but looks aged
Heinkle He went through a lot obviously.
He was still grieving for his brother and it took a toll on him.
Camera adds 10 years
Although I loved RFK, the truth of the matter is that he was, until the end, a bit of a coward on Vietnam
So very very sad what happened to him🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Bobby's right ..."It's not that easy," to end a war ...two sides in every conflict
Well Bobby always felt it was his fault that John got murdered
Bobby K '28
As everyone hides people know these answers🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
50 anni fa ..! Oggi sarebbe stato un grande presidente?
If hed lived the Wall in DC might be smaller😢😢😢😢😢😮
if had way .
The Kennedy's were extremely anticommunist. Like his big bro, he was really confused on the Vietnam situation. It's definitely a simple decision. Let Vietnam go and focus on the other nations in southeast Asia. The French really fumbled Vietnam but they themselves knew it was a lost cause. Had America focused more on Cambodia, laos, Indonesia and Malaysia, then Vietnam Would be just been scraps for the Soviets. Thousand of young soldiers death later, here we are....decades later realizing the entire war was uneccesary.
RFK JR.
POTUS 24/28❤❤
TULSI VP❤❤BOBBY K. ALL THE WAY❤❤
The military kite namely haunt because size quantitatively squeal unlike a tested stranger. jazzy, omniscient pond