I guess that's your water. I don't know. I drink more water in you, Aalzie.

Well, the committee come to order. It's February 17, 1966, day five in a series of public hearings

convened by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to question a range of experts on the progress

of the Vietnam War. The committee has

held hearings before on Vietnam, but never in televised open session. Fifteen months into the

Johnson presidency, the country still knows little about the war. On the rare occasions when the

president has spoken of it, he's been less than forthcoming about what he knows and what he's

doing. These hearings, for the first time, have parted the curtains.

Improbably, they've become a national event.

And for Lyndon Johnson, an unwelcome challenge to his conduct of the war.

I'm David Brown, and this is LBJ's War, a podcast in six parts from Public Radio International.

We are very pleased this morning to have, as our witness, General Maxwell D. Taylor,

one of the ablest military leaders that we've had in this country in many years.

That's Senator William Fulbright of Arkansas presiding.

A venerable figure in the world of Washington politics, Fulbright is probably the most famous

senator of his time.

General Taylor, we're very pleased to have you, and we welcome you to make whatever

statement you choose.

Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, thank you for your willingness to hear my views on the situation in South Vietnam.

Maxwell Taylor is a venerable figure in his own right, a four-star general, bona fide war hero,

and former ambassador to South Vietnam.

He's here today is President Johnson's personal emissary to explain and defend the President's

...