REAGAN, Ronald. Autograph letter signed ("Ron") as Governor of California, to Senator Mark Hatfield, n.p., [ca. 10 October 1967]. 1 page, 8vo (9 x 6 in.), with red ink filing mark across text , in fine condition. REAGAN ON VIETNAM: "IN MY OPINION WE ARE THERE BECAUSE OUR OWN ENLIGHTENED SELF INTEREST DEMANDS IT" Reagan writes to Senator Mark Hatfield of Oregon, an outspoken critic of the Vietnam War. While still Governor of Oregon, Hatfield was the only governor to vote against Johnson's Vietnam policy at the Governors' Conference. Reagan writes to Hatfield with similar opposition in mind: "I believe as Republicans we must oppose the V[iet] N[am] policy and [I] certainly believe Asians should play a bigger combat role. However I'm concerned about a 'de-Americanization' move because we are then vulnerable on the score that this is purely an American effort to help S[outh] V[iet] N[am]. In my opinion we are there because also our own enlightened self interest demands it. This is in part our struggle against Russian inspired aggression aimed eventually at our destruction." Despite taking a hard line against anti-war protestors on college campuses, Reagan had conflicting feelings about the U.S. role in Vietnam. According to one biographer, Reagan "sensed that the divisiveness of Vietnam somehow bound Americans together in shared emotions of frustration and anger... As the protests mounted, Reagan became a spokesman for those who believed the United States was losing the war in Vietnam because Washington lacked the will to win it" (Lou Cannon, President Reagan , New York, 2000). Writing to Hatfield in late 1967, when American troops in Vietnam numbered 470,000, nearly at their peak, Reagan vents his own frustrations with the administration. President Johnson declared in September 1967 that the U.S. would stop bombings in Vietnam if the North Vietnamese would agree to peace talks. Reagan reacts to the speech: "The Pres. has indicated in his San Antonio speech that we will not withdraw but he failed to offer any proposal for ending the war other than continued attrition hoping the enemy will decide we are determined. I cannot find any practical way other than application of enough force to bring the enemy to the bargaining table." The following March, Johnson made specific reference to his San Antonio speech when he announced that the U.S. would be limiting the war in Vietnam and that he would not seek reelection.
REAGAN, Ronald. Autograph letter signed ("Ron") as Governor of California, to Senator Mark Hatfield, n.p., [ca. 10 October 1967]. 1 page, 8vo (9 x 6 in.), with red ink filing mark across text , in fine condition. REAGAN ON VIETNAM: "IN MY OPINION WE ARE THERE BECAUSE OUR OWN ENLIGHTENED SELF INTEREST DEMANDS IT" Reagan writes to Senator Mark Hatfield of Oregon, an outspoken critic of the Vietnam War. While still Governor of Oregon, Hatfield was the only governor to vote against Johnson's Vietnam policy at the Governors' Conference. Reagan writes to Hatfield with similar opposition in mind: "I believe as Republicans we must oppose the V[iet] N[am] policy and [I] certainly believe Asians should play a bigger combat role. However I'm concerned about a 'de-Americanization' move because we are then vulnerable on the score that this is purely an American effort to help S[outh] V[iet] N[am]. In my opinion we are there because also our own enlightened self interest demands it. This is in part our struggle against Russian inspired aggression aimed eventually at our destruction." Despite taking a hard line against anti-war protestors on college campuses, Reagan had conflicting feelings about the U.S. role in Vietnam. According to one biographer, Reagan "sensed that the divisiveness of Vietnam somehow bound Americans together in shared emotions of frustration and anger... As the protests mounted, Reagan became a spokesman for those who believed the United States was losing the war in Vietnam because Washington lacked the will to win it" (Lou Cannon, President Reagan , New York, 2000). Writing to Hatfield in late 1967, when American troops in Vietnam numbered 470,000, nearly at their peak, Reagan vents his own frustrations with the administration. President Johnson declared in September 1967 that the U.S. would stop bombings in Vietnam if the North Vietnamese would agree to peace talks. Reagan reacts to the speech: "The Pres. has indicated in his San Antonio speech that we will not withdraw but he failed to offer any proposal for ending the war other than continued attrition hoping the enemy will decide we are determined. I cannot find any practical way other than application of enough force to bring the enemy to the bargaining table." The following March, Johnson made specific reference to his San Antonio speech when he announced that the U.S. would be limiting the war in Vietnam and that he would not seek reelection.
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