Tuesday, Nov. 04, 2008
1964: The Great Society
During the campaign, Johnson called for a Great Society, in which the Federal Government would curtail poverty, racial injustice and other ills. Republicans nominated a staunch foe of this so-called social engineering, Arizona Senator Goldwater, to oppose the President. L.B.J. claimed 61% of the popular vote. He helped create Medicare for the elderly and Medicaid for the poor. The War on Poverty sparked dozens of new programs. Despite his legislative milestones, including passage of the Voting Rights Act, Johnson's legacy is tied to the U.S. quagmire in Vietnam — which spurred the antiwar movement that followed.