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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
The Vietnam Plank
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

The Vietnam Plank

Artifact ID1973.1.1380
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States)
Gifter
Date ca. August 1968
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 21 7/8 in x W 15 1/4 in (55.6 cm x 38.7 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ is a cowboy who has shot holes in a plank hanging in a noose. Three men ("The Cutback Kids") are behind another plank. The first man from left to right (“Fulbright”) holds up a hammer. The second man (“McCarthy”) holds up a pair of scissors. The third man (“McGovern”) holds up a saw. A small character holds up a sign ("Any similarity to The Three Stooges is purely intended") that points to the three men. In the front, Humphrey sits on another plank ("Ted's Stand"). In a small circle in the lower right, a man (“Maddox”) asks “What vitamin?” while “??” appear over his head. Caption: “The Vietnam Plank”. Artist signature lower right: "Dobbins”. Additional text at lower right: “8-23-68” Boston Herald Traveler”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower center: "To: President Johnson with admiration, Jim Dobbins". Handwritten at upper right: “The Dem Convention and my feeling”. Handwritten at upper left: [underline] [red] “7”. Handwritten at upper right: “55.5”. Handwritten at lower left: [red] “54”. Handwritten at lower left: [blue] “Off-Ed Page”. Handwritten at lower center: [blue] “104 lines” “Fri a.m.”. Handwritten at lower right: [upside down] [red] “B”. Handwritten at lower right: [blue] “Aug 23 - 68”.
Historical NotePro-war “hawks” supported escalating the war to stop the spread of Communism in Southeast Asia. Pro-war figures believed that the war could be won if the United States had enough public support. Anti-war “doves” included both people who opposed the war ideologically, considering it to be unjust, and people who just believed the war was unwinnable. The number of doves increased over the course of the war. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman J. William Fulbright, Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy, and South Dakota Senator George McGovern all opposed the Vietnam War. Vice President Hubert Humphrey was initially opposed to the Vietnam War, but reversed his position on it as vice-president due to pressure from President Johnson, which made him lose much of his support base of civil rights, labor activists, and other liberals. Lester Maddox was the Governor of Georgia and endorsed Independent candidate George Wallace in the 1968 election.
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
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 189698395)
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 Lester Maddox (United States, 1915 - 2003)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced George McGovern (United States, 1922 - 2012)
Person Referenced Eugene J. McCarthy (United States, 1916 - 2005)
Person Referenced J. William Fulbright (United States, 1905 - 1995)
Person Referenced Hubert H. Humphrey (United States, 1911 - 1978)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Subjects
Vietnam War
Place of Publication
Boston
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