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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
As We See It...
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

As We See It...

Artifact ID1965.28.200
Artist (United States)
Date 1965
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 18 7/8 in x W 14 1/8 in (47.9 cm x 35.9 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. Three huge tubs of butter ("Escalate the Great Society") are being maintained by LBJ driving a backhoe. In background, two factories ("Escalate the War Effort") are emitting smoke ("$$"). In the closest tub of butter, a small donkey and a man sit talking. Caption reads: "As We See It, We Can Have Both Guns and Butter". Artist signature lower right: "Dowling." Additional text at lower center: "1965, Publishers Newspaper Syndicate".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at upper right: "To President Johnson from Dan Dowling NY Herald Tribune". Handwritten at lower center: "O'er [indecipherable]".
Historical NoteThe Johnson Administration submitted 87 bills to Congress, and Johnson signed 84, or 96%, arguably the most successful legislative agenda in US congressional history. In August 1964, US ships were seemingly attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin, leading to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that allowed President Johnson to take military action. In February 1965, Johnson authorized Operation Rolling Thunder to bomb North Vietnam and in March, 3500 Marines were deployed in Vietnam. Over 1965, the year this cartoon was made, President Johnson escalated the conflict to a full-scale war with 175,000 American troops.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from the general public to President Johnson during his term in office. It was received by President Johnson, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction Note© 1965, Publishers Newspaper Syndicate
Copyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Not on view
Place of Publication