Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Does His Right Hand Know What His Left Hand Does?
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Does His Right Hand Know What His Left Hand Does?

Artifact ID1973.1.1277
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Publisher ()
Date ca. September 1966
Medium Ink and grease pencil on illustration board
DimensionsOverall H 20 in x W 15 in (50.8 cm x 38.1 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ is hit on head with a rolled up paper ("GOP White Paper Accusing Democrats of Deception-and Plans for Major Escalation of Vietnam War") by an elephant who shows LBJ a note ("We'll Never Use the War as Political Issue") with the other hand. Caption: “Does His Right Hand Know What His Left Hand Does?”. Artist signature lower left: "Temple”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: “T-P Friday, Sept 23.”. Handwritten at lower right: “35 picas”.
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.
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
New Orleans
Related Links