The Vietnam conflict was a situation where no matter which path was taken, more negative than positive effects would hit the United States and its allies. President Lyndon B Johnson took office after JFK's assassination and now controls a nation in mourning. In the mid-1960s, US President Lyndon B Johnson was forced to make a decision regarding the future of Vietnam. Any action he takes would significantly affect Americans still recovering from the death of a beloved president. Johnson and his advisors quickly narrowed their options down to three distinct options, all of which appeared to provide minimal benefit to the American people. These three avenues of approach included withdrawing all troops already in Vietnam, inserting thousands of additional troops into Vietnam, or seeking to neutralize the countries of North and South Vietnam. President Johnson, while considering his options, was very concerned about the "domino theory", the threat of communism in South Asia; but he was also concerned about his image as president. That being said, he knew that the situation in Vietnam was deteriorating and that whatever path he chose, he would face criticism. President Johnson, along with his advisors, procrastinated as long as they could to "pick their poison," deciding that inserting combat troops was the best way to achieve economic and strategic value in South Asia . was directly proportional to the fall of power in a deteriorating South Vietnam. Just four weeks before JFK's death, South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem was himself assassinated. The death of their president had been demoralizing to the South Vietnamese and...... middle of paper.... After the assassination of John F. Kennedy, President Johnson quickly realized that the continuing problem in Vietnam was more and more serious than he had ever known. Being quickly informed of the situation day by day, as well as the fact that it was getting worse, Johnson had realized that he had walked into quicksand and that the benefits from it would be minimal. His secret phone recordings with key leaders and advisors give listeners the process of elimination he followed to better serve his country. Each step he took during the Vietnam conflict was accompanied by a precise discussion with his men. President Johnson had to deal with the dire consequences of every course of action presented. In the end, it wasn't out of fear; fear of the Domino Theory, fear for his personal image, President Lyndon B Johnson may not have been forced to escalate to war in Vietnam.