MCNAMARA AND JOHNSON'S DANGEROUS FEEDBACK LOOP Colleague William Taubman. Following JFK's assassination, Lyndon Johnson retained McNamara, relying on his efficiency and self-confidence to counter his own insecurities and depressive episodes. A dangerous f

MCNAMARA AND JOHNSON'S DANGEROUS FEEDBACK LOOP Colleague William Taubman. Following JFK's assassination, Lyndon Johnson retained McNamara, relying on his efficiency and self-confidence to counter his own insecurities and depressive episodes. A dangerous feedback loop developed where McNamara, eager to please his new boss, adopted Johnson's "tone for action" regarding Vietnam, providing brilliant arguments for escalation that reinforced Johnson's instincts to fight. Johnson came to view McNamara as his "fair-haired boy," utilizing him for everything from the war effort to domestic projects and even considering him for the Vice Presidency. NUMBER 5
1966 LBJ
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