Tet Offensive A Turning Point

It seems clear that the Tet was indeed a major U.S. military victory. Else, why would LBJ’s military advisors begin to push for more troops, and a stronger war effort? (Small page 91). At the same time, the Tet offensive did some real political damage to LBJ, when Americans saw the Vietcong in the U.S. embassy, it caused many to doubt victory in S. Vietnam was possible. On the other side of the question of victory, this offensive was later viewed as a turning point in the war. For the first time, America no longer sought to win, rather to find a way to end its engagement. (Duiker page 213-217)

This new doubt and fear caused many problems in America, Even Walter Cronkite, who was a supporter of the war spoke in shock in response to the results of the Tet offensive. Which would later disturb LBJ, who was quoted as saying “if I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost America”, perhaps indicating the press was no longer supporting LBJ. Naturally, this would change how and what would be reported in regards to the war. Or in other words; the media may not have given the best representation in regards to the outcome of the Tet offensive. (Herring pages 234-241)
First of all, Johnson never seemed willing to be upfront with anything to do with Vietnam when reporting to the public, as is evidenced throughout Herrings book “The longest war”. This offensive was a surprise attack, one that was not well executed and mistakes made by the north allowed U.S. forces to adjust and put up a resistance. This would lead to many casualties and failed missions on the part of the communists. (Herring pages