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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Split Personality
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Split Personality

Artifact ID1965.28.250
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist
Publisher
Gifter
Medium Ink and applied shading on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 3/8 in x W 11 1/4 in (36.5 cm x 28.6 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. An elephant dressed in a suit is divided in half. In his right hand he holds a paper ("Support of LBJ's Viet Policies"). In his left he holds another paper ("GOP 'White Paper' on Vietnam The Democrats Got Us Into it"). Caption reads: "Split Personality". Artist signature lower right: "Lou Grant". Additional text at lower left: "The Oakland Tribune".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: "For President Johnson, with best wishes,".
Historical NoteThe White Paper on Vietnam was a paper written by the Senate Republican Policy Committee criticizing Lyndon Johnson’s involvement in Vietnam by pointing to the loss of life, financial costs, and the war’s unpopularity among both the international community and the people of Vietnam. The paper urged against bi-partisanship in war policy and challenged other Republicans to explain the national interest in Vietnam and how far the United States would go to achieve it. Pro-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. In this cartoon, the Republican party is split between being against the war (thus labeling it a Democrat failure) and supporting the war.
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 Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Oakland
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