Ep 3. LBJ v. Goldwater
- TVPG
- March 1, 2020
- 42 min
In season 2 episode 3 of Race for the White House, titled LBJ v. Goldwater, viewers are taken back to the 1964 presidential race between incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson and Republican nominee Barry Goldwater.
In this episode, viewers are given a behind-the-scenes look at the strategies and tactics employed by both campaigns as they fight for the White House. The episode provides a detailed history of both Johnson and Goldwater, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses as candidates and their different visions for the country.
One of the most significant moments of the episode is the decision by Goldwater to embrace his conservative beliefs fully. His strong stance on issues such as civil rights and the role of government played a significant role in his campaign, but also alienated many traditional Republican voters. Viewers are shown how this decision ultimately affected the outcome of the election.
On the other side of the race, Johnson and his team focused on painting Goldwater as an extremist who would put the country at risk. They used fear tactics and attack ads to rally support behind Johnson and his vision for a Great Society. The episode depicts the most significant moments that led to Johnson's ultimate landslide victory, including the infamous "Daisy" ad that played on the country's fears of nuclear war.
Throughout the episode, viewers also get a sense of the social and political climate of the time, including the impacts of the Civil Rights movement, the growing anti-war sentiment surrounding the Vietnam War, and the rise of conservatism in American politics. The show does an excellent job of contextualizing the election within these broader societal changes and provides a nuanced portrayal of the issues at play.
Overall, Race for the White House season 2 episode 3 is an engaging and informative look at one of the most significant presidential races in American history. The show does an excellent job of balancing historical accuracy with drama and suspense, making it an excellent option for both political junkies and casual viewers alike.
