Final answer:
Clark Clifford's Vietnam policy differed from Robert McNamara's in recognizing the unwinnability of the war and seeking ways to disengage, rather than escalating the conflict as McNamara had done earlier.
Step-by-step explanation:
Clark Clifford's Vietnam policy differed significantly from that of his predecessor Robert McNamara in their approach to the Vietnam War. McNamara, who served as Secretary of Defense prior to Clifford, was characterized by the initial escalation and commitment to the conflict. As the war progressed, McNamara compiled the Pentagon Papers, which revealed that the U.S. had secretly expanded the war into neighboring countries and had not been transparent with the public about the true nature and scope of the war.Upon replacing McNamara, Clark Clifford recognized the futility of continuing the war under the same premises. Influenced by a seismic shift in public opinion and the reality of the conflict, Clifford saw Vietnam as a sinkhole where additional American input only led to equivalent increases in effort by the enemy, without moving towards a conclusive victory. Clifford’s arrival at the Department of Defense marked a shift towards seeking an exit from the unwinnable situation, contrasting with McNamara's earlier policy of escalation and commitment.The main answer to how Clifford's policy differed results from his conclusion that the Vietnam War was unwinnable and his inclination to disengage rather than escalate, highlighting a policy shift influenced by the changing insights into the conflict and public opinion of the time.