How was the following 1965 exchange between a Johnson aid and Lyndon Johnson-who was both escalating the war in Vietnam and a close watcher of the polls-illustrative of the volatility of public opinion: The aid told Johnson: "we have overwhelming public opinion on our side." Johnson replied, "Yes, but for a very underwhelming period of time."

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This exchange highlights the fact that public opinion on the war was volatile and subject to change over time. In 1965, two-thirds of the American public supported the war, but by 1968, two-thirds opposed it. This shift in opinion was driven in part by the heavy casualties suffered by American forces, as well as by the growing realization that the war was unwinnable. Johnson's comment suggests that he was aware of the fickle nature of public opinion and the challenges of maintaining support for a controversial war over an extended period of time.

How Was the Following 1965 Exchange Between a Johnson Aid