Changes

Johnson won reelection in a landslide in 1964 over [[conservative]] leader [[Barry Goldwater]], and proceeded to push through a massive expansion of federal programs known as the "Welfare State."  This included [[Medicare]], food stamps, and federal spending on education.  Johnson also supported the [[Voting Rights Act]] of 1965, which passed over a Democratic Filibuster.   

Johnson won reelection in a landslide in 1964 over [[conservative]] leader [[Barry Goldwater]], and proceeded to push through a massive expansion of federal programs known as the "Welfare State."  This included [[Medicare]], food stamps, and federal spending on education.  Johnson also supported the [[Voting Rights Act]] of 1965, which passed over a Democratic Filibuster.   

Johnson's popularity steadily declined after 1966 and his reelection bid in 1968 collapsed as a result of turmoil in his Democratic party primarily due to Johnson's mishandling (and micromanagement) of the [[Vietnam War]].  Johnson was humiliated by a primary challenge to his reelection from fellow [[Democrat]] [[Eugene McCarthy]] in early 1968 in [[New Hampshire]], and then LBJ withdrew as a candidate for reelection.  His Vice President [[Humbert Humphrey]] lost in the general election due in part to Johnson's unpopularity.

Johnson's popularity steadily declined after 1966 and his reelection bid in 1968 collapsed as a result of turmoil in his Democratic party primarily due to Johnson's mishandling (and micromanagement) of the [[Vietnam War]] (which also ironically involved the intentionally false reporting by [[Walter Cronkite]] on the [[Tet Offensive]]).  Johnson was humiliated by a primary challenge to his reelection from fellow [[Democrat]] [[Eugene McCarthy]] in early 1968 in [[New Hampshire]], and then LBJ withdrew as a candidate for reelection.  His Vice President [[Humbert Humphrey]] lost in the general election due in part to Johnson's unpopularity.

==Early years==

==Early years==