Lyndon B. Johnson made a life or death bet during his presidential term - and lost. While fighting an extended war against a determined foe, he gambled that American society could also endure a vast array of domestic reforms. The result was the turmoil of the 1968 presidential election, a crisis more severe than any since the Civil War. With thousands killed in Vietnam, hundreds died in civil riots, televised chaos at the Democratic National Convention, and two major assassination's, Americans responded by voting for the law and order message of Richard Nixon.johnson, lyndon b. (lyndon baines), 1908-1973., presidents -- united states -- election -- 1968, vietnam war, 1961-1975 -- united states