The Tet Offensive convinced senior leaders of the Johnson administration, including the "Wise Men" and new Defense Secretary Clark Clifford, that further escalation of troop levels would not help bring an end to the war. Johnson was initially reluctant to follow this advice, but ultimately agreed to allow a partial bombing halt and to signal his willingness to engage in peace talks.Patterson (1996), pp. 683–684. On March 31, 1968, Johnson announced that he would halt the bombing in North Vietnam, while at the same time announcing that he would not seek re-election.Dallek (1998), p. 513. He also escalated U.S. military operations in South Vietnam in order to consolidate control of as much of the countryside as possible before the onset of serious peace talks.Patterson (1996), pp. 684–685. Talks began in Paris in May, but failed to yield any results.Dallek (1998), pp. 538–541, 564. Two of the major obstacles in negotiations were the unwillingness of the United States to allow the Viet Cong to take part in the South Vietnamese government, and the unwillingness of North Vietnam to recognize the legitimacy of South Vietnam.Patterson (1996), p. 703. In October 1968, when the parties came close to an agreement on a bombing halt, Republican presidential nominee Richard Nixon intervened with the South Vietnamese, promising better terms so as to delay a settlement on the issue until after the election.Dallek (1998), pp. 584–585. Johnson sought a continuation of talks after the 1968 United States elections, but the North Vietnamese argued about procedural matters until after Nixon took office.Dallek (1998), p. 597.
