Sept. 25, 1964 - President Johnson said today the U.S. was not a “government of ultimatum” and would not “frighten others into a nuclear war.”
His words seemed aimed at the “Why not victory?” foreign policy of the Republican Presidential candidate, Senator Barry Goldwater.
Johnson made a whirlwind speaking tour of the Southwest. He was met by large crowds and defended the policies of his Administration.
To about 20,000 persons attending the dedication of Eufaula Dam near Muskogee, Okla., he said he did not want “a land war” in Asia.
In regard to the U.S. commitment in the guerrilla war in South Vietnam, he said: “We are not going to start another war, and we are not going to run away from where we are.” He criticized those who “want to go north,” meaning to attack North Vietnam, which supports the Viet Cong partisans in the south.
The President spent the day giving four essentially nonpolitical speeches in the Southwest, but he enjoyed a political triumph in El Paso when huge crowds, estimated at 175,000, turned out to cheer him in the streets.
Johnson alighted from his limousine 10 times to plunge joyously into the throngs to shake hands. At one crowded El Paso intersection, he gave an effective one-sentence speech to an audience containing many Mexican-Americans.
“Buenos dias, mis amigos,” said the President.
Johnson flew to El Paso from Washington this morning. After the dam dedication, he spoke at the Oklahoma State Fair at Oklahoma City and then dedicated the John F. Kennedy Square in Texarkana on the border between Texas and Arkansas. He then left for his ranch at Johnson City, Tex., where he will spend the weekend.

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