AUSTIN (AP) -- Politically crippled by the Vietnam War, President Lyndon B. Johnson still sounded like a candidate for re-election in private 1968 telephone conversations just before deciding to pull out of the race. That's according to recordings released Thursday.
Johnson sought support from labor leaders and talked of winning state primaries heading into that year's Democratic National Convention -- despite potential threats to his candidacy by Senator Robert F. Kennedy and others in his party.
Laced throughout the talks were Johnson's statements about the Vietnam War -- and the stinging criticism he faced from hawks and doves alike.
In one conversation, while explaining the difficulties in deciding on troop levels, Johnson said -- quote -- "It's a hell of a calculation to know what is enough and what is too much."
The LBJ Library and Museum released recorded conversations covering early 1968, Johnson's last full year as president.
