The Effect of Presidential Action on Popular Support of Foreign Policy: The Case of Vietnam

Explicitly stated the hypothesis that was tested was as follows: The relationship between Presidential action and an increase in public support for the President on matters of Vietnam policy is equal to zero. Presidential action was viewed as any major development in Policy (whether it be military or political) toward the war. Furthermore, any major speech by the President or other high governmental official reaffirming the government\u27s course of action was posited into the category of Presidential action. In order for the speech to be considered major it either had to have been broadcast over nationwide television or widely disseminated In the press. American public opinion is here defined as the views expressed by those individuals interviewed by the Gallup Poll. These views will be considered representative of the opinions held by the larger American public