How one senator's anti-war challenge forced a president to withdraw

Cultures · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1967, Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy did the unthinkable: he challenged President Lyndon B. Johnson's Vietnam War policies. This single act of political defiance triggered a chain reaction that fundamentally altered the 1968 election, eventually leading the incumbent president to abandon his reelection campaign.

The 1/68 election cycle was defined by profound social and political instability. While the 1964 Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts had passed, the rise of the 'Black Power' movement and increasing urban violence created a climate of apprehension. Amidst this, McCarthy leveraged his growing criticism of the Vietnam War to enter the Democratic primary. His campaign, powered by a dedicated legion of young amateur workers, proved unexpectedly effective during the New Hampshire primary, where he secured 42 percent of the vote.

McCarthy's momentum forced a seismic shift in the American presidency. Following his strong performance, President Johnson announced on March 31, 1968, that he would end the bombing of most of North Vietnam and would not seek a second term. The race then became a multi-sided struggle involving Robert F. Kennedy, who entered the race after McCarthy's initial challenge, and Vice President Hubert Humphrey, who sought the nomination without participating in the early primaries.

Despite winning several contests, including a victory in Oregon and a plurality of both the popular vote and delegates in certain stages, McCarthy's path was blocked by the mechanics of party rules. After the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in June 1968, many uncommitted delegates shifted their support to Humphrey. This allowed Humphrey to secure the Democratic nomination at the convention, leaving McCarthy to face a fractured party and an eventual victory by Republican Richard Nixon in November 1968.

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