The media's handling of the Tet Offensive prompted President Johnson to bow to increased pressure from dovish critics and some civilian officials in his administration. He announced a new halt to the bombardments and once again invited the North Vietnamese to negotiate. To add weight to his initiative, Johnson also declared that he would not run for president in the fall of 1968. Although he had informed Westmoreland of this decision, based largely on declining health and wishes of his family, from the end of 1967, the pacifist lobby immediately proclaimed that it had succeeded in making him leave his functions. In fact, there may have been some truth there. Since his death in January 1973 — a week before the agreements “ending” the war — those close to Johnson have spoken of his real and deep distress at the careless chanting of peace protesters:“Hey, Hey, L.B.J. — How many kids did you kill today? (Hey, hey, Johnson, how many boys did you kill today?) A brave, sincere man, Lyndon Johnson deserved better of his countrymen...
To the President's surprise, the North Vietnamese agreed to talks. For the next four years, they would agree on little more than the shape of the conference table in Paris. However, by accepting Johnson's offer, they effectively chained the United States to the negotiating table until the conventional invasion of South Vietnam; and until the American people are so weary of war that the new president comes to concessions which, by withdrawing the United States from the conflict, ultimately secures victory for North Vietnam. The Tet Offensive of 1968, while a Communist defeat, actually paved the way for their eventual victory.