moderate

Unlike Kennedy, Johnson has been reluctant to follow in the Dulles tradition of "brinkmanship". In all his actions as President, it has been clear that a heightening of tension to the Bay of Pigs level has not been his chosen means of diplomacy.

Johnston's determination has not been to take the easy way out. No shameful withdrawal to fortified enclaves, leaving the villagers and farmers of South Vietnam to the butchery of the Viet Cong, and equally no escalation to the nuclear limit—the avoidance of both these alternatives has always been his policy.

As a policy, it has been moderate. Not, the policy of a brilliant commander, gambling to win or lose all in one throw. But possibly, considering just how much there was to lose, the policy of a stateman.