American historian and political analyst Pat Buchanan has written a great deal about American history and politics. He made a noteworthy observation regarding President Lyndon B. Johnson in his latter years.

After John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, Lyndon Johnson, also known as LBJ, was elected president. He secured votes from forty-four states and defeated Barry Goldwater in the 1964 election, which marked the beginning of his presidency. Johnson implemented the Great Society, a comprehensive set of social welfare initiatives, during his first term with the goal of eradicating racial injustice and poverty.

But by 1968, Johnson's political environment had drastically changed. The American public was growing more and more disenchanted with the Vietnam War. Widespread protests and unrest were also a result of growing civil rights tensions. These difficulties started to eclipse Johnson's past achievements.

The comment made by Pat Buchanan emphasizes how easily a president's reputation can change. Johnson went from leading a landslide victory to encountering strong opposition within his own party, much like a river that floods its banks in one season and then dries up entirely in another. His formerly well-liked policies were now being questioned, and he was up against opposition from other Democrats who disapproved of the way he handled both foreign and domestic affairs.

This change demonstrates how erratic political success can be and how quickly it can change. It also emphasizes how crucial it is to keep the public's support during trying times and how a president's legacy may be affected by shifting national priorities.