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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Horrible to Behold
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Horrible to Behold

Artifact ID1973.1.288
Date ca. October 1967
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 13 1/4 in x W 10 1/2 in (33.7 cm x 26.7 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A startled LBJ views carved pumpkins ("Rocky Ahead”, “Nixon Ahead”, “Romney Ahead") sitting on a fence. Behind them a ghost holds a sign ("Popularity Poll Results"). A cat writes on a paper (“Score”). A face on the moon smiles while looking on. Caption: “Horrible to Behold”. Artist signature lower right: "Vic Runtz news ‘67”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: [blue] “3 col line Ed page Tues”. Handwritten at lower center: [blue] “Bangor Daily News - Oct. 24, 1967”.
Historical NoteNew York governor Nelson Rockefeller entered the 1968 Republican primaries in spring 1968. He was a part of the Republican liberal wing. Former Vice President Richard Nixon secured the Republican nomination during the 1968 election. His platform emphasized crime and he criticized Johnson’s Vietnam policy, but was vague about his own plans to end the war. Michigan governor George Romney ran against Richard Nixon in the 1968 Republican primaries. In August 1967, he described being “brainwashed” into supporting the Vietnam War, a controversial comment at the time. He shifted to an antiwar platform, and withdrew on February 28, 1968.
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 NoteCopyright 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 Nelson Rockefeller (United States, 1908 - 1979)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced Richard Nixon (United States, 1913 - 1994)
Person Referenced George W. Romney (United States, 1907 - 1995)
Not on view
Place of Publication