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Johnson, with his understanding that power is a combination of force, persuasion, compromise and attention to detail, has seen passed into law several major Kennedy bills, including civil rights, a federal pay raise and the tax cut. He has signed his own anti-poverty bill. His record of domestic performance is immensely impressive. His nation is prosperous; indeed, Lyndon's main increment to Democratic voting blocs comes from the business community.
In his Atlantic City acceptance speech, the President justifiably pointed with pride to his domestic accomplishments. But "domestic" was the key word. Aside from a great many sweeping references to "peace," Lyndon generally avoided the hard facts of international life. It has been rare in recent years for a President, or a candidate for President, not to give prime importance to America's role in the world.
Was it also a political error? Barry Goldwater thought so, and immediately hurled the word "isolationist" at Johnson—giving back the label with which Democrats had bedeviled Republicans for two decades. "The eyes and ears of the entire world were turned to that speech," said Barry, "looking and listening for the vision and strength that would once again put America on the high road of world leadership. Instead, the world witnessed a vision turned inward, isolated and sighted only toward domestic political advantage."
Thus the consensus that came after Atlantic City may be just as tenuous as the afterglow from San Francisco. Between now and November, Johnson and Humphrey must contend against two men, Goldwater and William Miller, who are nothing if not swift to seize upon issues. And even as the Democrats were leaving Atlantic City, two old issues took on new meaning. The newest crisis in South Viet Nam, with its cruel religious war (see THE WORLD), made it increasingly evident that the U.S., despite its outpouring of dollars and lives, has been unable to impose any sort of order there, much less win a war against Communism. And in Philadelphia, a senseless, looting Negro riot made it grimly clear that the U.S. has a long way to go in imposing law and order at home.