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President Biden's decision not to seek reelection may parallel Lyndon B. Johnson's 1968 decision, attorney says

According to a Knoxville attorney, Johnson took himself out of the running partially due to the growing unrest and anger about the Vietnam War.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — President Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the presidential race comes less than a month before the Democratic National Convention. The last time a sitting president dropped out of the race was in 1968 when then-President Lyndon B. Johnson decided not to seek reelection. 

According to a Knoxville attorney, Johnson took himself out of the running partially due to the growing unrest and anger about the Vietnam War. Johnson knew his decisions made him unpopular, according to the attorney. 

Almost 300,000 Americans were drafted in 1968, according to the Selective Service System.

In 2024, the U.S. is also involved in the Israel-Hamas War. However, that war is having less of a direct impact compared to that of the Vietnam War in 1965. No Americans have been drafted to serve in the military in the war, or in the Israel-Gaza Crisis.

"One's leaving because he physically can't do it. Johnson because he knew he was not going to get elected," said Dennis Francis, a member of the Tennesee Democratic Party and an attorney. "And all of those political things were pre-internet. Nothing has changed voting like the access to the internet."

Francis said he is not surprised that President Biden dropped out, and said it is likely due to a lack of funding from supporters.

The Democratic National Convention is set to start on Aug. 19. 

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