Final answer:
Lyndon Johnson failed to build public consent for the actions he took during the Vietnam War due to divided public opinion, doubts about government credibility, and conflicting priorities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lyndon Johnson failed to build public consent for the actions he took during the Vietnam War due to several reasons:
1- Divided public opinion: The war deeply divided the American public, with antiwar protests gaining momentum and tens of thousands of people attending them. However, a majority of Americans still supported the war effort. The protests were viewed by many as unpatriotic and disrespectful.
2- Doubts about government credibility: The American people had lost confidence in the government's statements about the war. The leaked Pentagon Papers revealed deliberate falsification of information, leading to public outrage and further eroding trust.
3- Conflicting priorities: Johnson's commitment to the continuation of his policy of slow escalation in Vietnam hindered his ability to prioritize domestic issues. The escalating cost of the war diverted funds that could have been used for social programs to address poverty.