When Walter Cronkite returned from Vietnam in March 1968, after viewing the situation on the ground following the February Tet offensive, the news anchor went on the air to express his editorial opinion about the American war effort. He first hosted a special report on the war Tuesday evening, 5 March 1968, and then read a personal statement on the CBS Evening News on 6 March 1968. It was the latter statement that had the greater impact.

We have been, too often disappointed by the optimism of the American leaders, both in Vietnam and in Washington, to have faith any longer in the silver linings they find in darkest clouds. . . . It seems now more certain than ever that the bloody experience in Vietnam is to end in a stalemate. It is increasingly clear to this reporter that the only rational way out then will be to negotiate, not...