President Lyndon Johnson's 1968 Speech Announcing His Decision Not to Run Again
It was at the end of a nearly 40-minute televised speech that President Lyndon Johnson shocked the nation with his words: “With American sons in the field far away, 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…. Accordingly, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president.”
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00:00I have concluded that I should not permit the Presidency to become involved in the partisan
00:08divisions that are developing in this political year.
00:16With America's sons in the field far away, with America's future under challenge right
00:25here at home, with our hopes and the world's hopes for peace and the balance every day,
00:34I do not believe that I should devote an hour or a day of my time to any personal partisan
00:43causes or to any duties other than the awesome duties of this office, the Presidency of your
00:56country.
00:57Accordingly, I shall not seek and I will not accept the nomination of my party for another
01:08term as your President.
01:13But let men everywhere know, however, that a strong and a confident and a vigilant America
01:27stands ready tonight to seek an honorable peace, and stands ready tonight to defend
01:35an honored cause, whatever the price, whatever the burden, whatever the sacrifice that duty
01:45may require.
01:47Thank you for listening.
01:49Good night, and God bless all of you.