Lyndon Johnson Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection

Lyndon Johnson

Pol Light Moment #145 occurred on March 31, 1968, when President Lyndon Baines Johnson told the United States that he would not seek reelection as President.  Lyndon Johnson was the 36th President of the United States, serving from 1963-1969. He was the Vice President of the United States from 1961-1963 under President John F. Kennedy and also served as a United States Senator from Texas from 1949-1961.

The following is a video of the announcement by Lyndon Johnson. The reason Johnson gave for not seeking reelection is that he wanted to focus on his Presidential duties during the Vietnam War era instead of partisan politics.

A key part of the speech is when Johnson said,

With America's sons in the fields far away, with America's future under challenge right here at home, with our hopes and the world's hopes for peace in the balance every day, 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—the Presidency of your country.

Accordingly, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President (Miller Center Website)

What made this announcement so historical is that sitting presidents have rarely ever refused to seek an additional term that they were eligible to fill. A transcript of this speech is available from the Miller Center Website.

Lyndon Johnson has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Lyndon Johnson posts search with Lyndon Johnson label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

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The photo of Lyndon Johnson is in the Public Domain.

Lyndon Johnson Sings with Dog Yuki

LBJ Library Photo by Yoichi R. Okamoto

Pol Light Moment #36 occurred on February 6, 1968, when President Lyndon Baines Johnson sang with his dog Yuki for the U.S. Ambassador to Great Britian, David K.E. Bruce. Lyndon Johnson was the 36th President of the United States, serving from 1963-1969. He was the Vice President of the United States from 1961-1963 under President John F. Kennedy and also served as a United States Senator from Texas from 1949-1961.

Lyndon Baines Johnson is one of the biggest dog lovers of all the U.S. Presidents. Johnson was very proud of his dog Yuki's ability to sing before an audience. Ambassador Bruce certainly isn't the only person to ever be treated to a duet with Yuki and President Johnson, but the photograph above documents the point in time when he received the privilege on February 6, 1968.

The following is a recording where Lyndon Baines Johnson explains that dogs have always been his friends. At the end of the recording he shares how he came to receive the last dog he owned named Yuki after his daughter Luci found the dog abandoned and homeless.

Johnson received Yuki on Thanksgiving Day in 1966 and she was with the President to sing for Ambassador Bruce in 1968 and other honored guests through the years. Yuki also remained beside Johnson throughout his last 5 years after he left office. After Johnson died in 1973, Yuki went to live with Lyndon Johnson's daughter, Luci Johnson Nugent. Yuki died in 1979 (Source). For more information on Lyndon Baines Johnson singing with his beloved dog Yuki see the website at http://presidentialpetmuseum.com/Pets/Yuki.htm. 
Lyndon Johnson has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Lyndon Johnson posts search with Lyndon Johnson label at Pol Light.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

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The photo with this post is from the LBJ Library photo taken by Yoichi R. Okamoto.  The LBJ Library website indicates that their photos are in the public domain or can be used free with credit to the source, which in this case was Yoichi R. Okamoto (Source).