Uninterested in the Chiefs’ advice, but unwilling to risk their disaffection, Johnson preserved a facade of consultation, concealed the finality of his decisions on Vietnam policy, and promised that more forceful actions against the North might be taken in the future. Preoccupied with the election and committed to taking only the minimum action necessary to keep South Vietnam from going Communist, he depended on McNamara and Taylor to provide him with advice consistent with that overwhelming priority. The president got the military advice he wanted.
