By: Jamie Dodson

Lyndon B. Johnson Democrat Incumbent Barry Goldwater Republican Senator from Arizona

CURRENT ISSUES  The economy was in good standing from President Kennedy, but the issues that were of concern to the voters mainly included…  Civil Rights  Social programs  And the Vietnam War

LYNDON B. JOHNSON AND HIS STAND ON THESE ISSUES  Johnson held the positions of Representative, Senator, Vice-President, and President, causing him to be one of only four people who have held all four elected federal offices of the United States  He was John F. Kennedy’s Vice-President and toke office of the President about a year before this election (after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy)  He was associated with Kennedy’s popularity which gained him a lot of support

LYNDON B. JOHNSON  Johnson promised to continue Kennedy’s work and also work to implement “The Great Society” which was his vision for America  He believed in “ending the war on poverty” as well as putting an end to racism He continued what President Kennedy started by advocating the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which would end major forms of discrimination like racial segregation in schools, workplaces, and public places.  Wanted little involvement in the Vietnam War  Encouraged social programs, such as social security

BARRY GOLDWATER AND HIS STAND ON THESE ISSUES  Served as a five term United States Senator from Arizona  Known for his extreme right-winged ideology  During this time the Republican Party was strongly split in half between the super conservative wing and the more modern/liberal wing. Goldwater refused to take more moderate views and therefore loss a lot of support from many Republicans because of this split and his strong right winged opinions.

BARRY GOLDWATER AND HIS STAND ON THESE ISSUES  Advocated for the strategical use of nuclear weapons in the Vietnam war  Believed Social Security should not be mandatory  Opposed a lot of the Civil Rights legislation

THE MEDIA  The media had a large influence in the opinions of viewers and the outcome of this election  Johnson’s incumbency, in which the economy was left in a good state, and the still present sorrow for Kennedy’s lost made Johnson a favorite among the people and even media  The media emphasized the strong lead Johnson had over Goldwater which was analyzed to have encouraged undecided/independent voters not to vote since the winner seemed already established.

THE MEDIA  Goldwater’s main focus in advertisements was “defense”. He continually aired television commercials which responded to accusations against him or statements he made that needed to be clarified.  This actually turned out to have a negative effect on his campaign because it constantly reminded the public of his downfalls and criticisms and made him appear weak.  Johnson worked to portray his opponent as an extremist with impulsive behavior (who could even be considered dangerous) and gain the votes of the more moderate Republicans as shown by this commercial…

THE DAISY AD  One of the most famous, impacting, and controversial political campaign attack ads   The Johnson Campaign used the juxtaposition of a sweet innocence little girl to the harsh and scary movements of violence to play on the publics fear of nuclear weapons and war.  The desired effect was to depict candidate Goldwater as a president who would run on impulse and too easily start war, especially war with nuclear weapons, in contrast to a careful president Johnson. Without even mentioning Goldwater, or quoting him, the ad clearly got across the message of Goldwater being a danger to America.

CAMPAIGN SLOGANS “The stakes are too high for you to stay at home.” -Johnson  This slogan came about as part of emphasizing Goldwater as an extremist and a danger to the public with his opinions of nuclear weapons. “In your heart you know he’s right.” -Goldwater  Established to counteract the criticism he faced along with his negative publicity, and relate to ordinary Americans.

CAMPAIGN SLOGANS  In addition, Johnson featured another slogan making fun of Goldwater’s which was…

President Lyndon B. Johnson by a landslide.

RESULTS  Lyndon B. Johnson won 44 out of the 50 states with a large majority popularity vote of 61.1%.  Barry Goldwater only won 6 states with a popularity vote of 38.5%.  Goldwater only won his home state, Arizona, and five southern states who voted this way because they did not agree with the Civil Rights Act.  It was one of the most crushing victories in the United States history of elections.