Johnson had delivered plenty of significant addresses during his presidency, from vowing in 1964 to build a “Great Society” to pushing for the Voting Rights Act in 1965. None of them came with the stunning conclusion of the speech televised that evening from the White House.
With Americans growing weary of the Vietnam War and increasingly discontent with his leadership, Johnson — in his characteristically solemn style — reiterated why the United States was fighting there and offered an olive branch to North Vietnam. He announced a halt to air and naval attacks north of the area immediately above the demilitarized zone and urged the Communist government in Hanoi to enter peace talks.
“We are prepared to move immediately toward peace through negotiations,” the president said.
“I have concluded that I should not permit the presidency to become involved in the partisan divisions that are developing in this political year,” Johnson said. “With America’s sons in the fields far away, with America’s future under challenge right here at home, with our hopes and the world’s hopes for peace in the balance every day, I do not believe that I should devote an hour or a day of my time to any personal partisan causes, or to any duties other than the awesome duties of this office — the presidency of your country. Accordingly, I shall not seek, and will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/03/31/a-pearl-harbor-in-politics-lbjs-stunning-decision-not-to-seek-reelection/
Understanding when one's campaign will do more harm to the country than good to one's own ambitions is something we could use more of, not less. Humphrey was his VP, so it was natural that he thought Humphrey would be qualified and would oppose any attacks on his signature legislation. He did, however refuse to compromise on the party plank with those who opposed the war. Lack of ability to reasonably compromise doesn't bode well for any politicians efficacy - either in office or on the campaign trail.
Like FDR, his presidential legacy is complicated - he produced Medicare, Medicaid and the Great Society Legislation.
FDR did get our economy back on track, and expanded government programs, but turned away thousands of Jews to their deaths because of anti-semitism, and incarcerated Asians.
There will never be a progressive politician with a spotless record, at least not one who was effective.
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