The bloody Tet Offensive, an all-out surprise attack by Ho Chi Minh’s North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces against southern cities earlier that year, had been a turning point. Though the American and South Vietnamese counterattack had crippled the Communist forces, the battle had raised the price of the war beyond what Americans back home were willing to pay. Two thirds (64 percent) were now willing to stop the bombing of North Vietnam “if there is any kind of sign whatsoever from North Vietnam that they are willing to reduce the fighting.” Any kind of sign
