Final answer:
Walter Cronkite's statement 'mired in a stalemate' regarding the Vietnam War signified a critical moment where he believed the U.S. was stuck in a conflict with no clear outcome. This sentiment represented a powerful turning point in public opinion and had significant impacts on the Johnson administration's policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Walter Cronkite used the phrase "mired in a stalemate" during his broadcast after the Tet Offensive in 1968, he was expressing his concern that the United States was stuck in a situation in the Vietnam War that would not result in a clear victory or progression. Cronkite's observations suggested that the war effort had reached a point where neither side was gaining a decisive advantage and that the conflict could continue without a definitive conclusion.
This statement was particularly influential because Cronkite was a respected journalist and seen by many as a trusted voice in American media. His comments reflected a significant shift in public opinion, challenging the optimistic reports from the U.S. government about the progress in Vietnam. Cronkite's declaration was a marker of growing skepticism in the American public and indicated a 'credibility gap' between official reports and the realities of the war.
President Lyndon Johnson's reaction to Cronkite's commentary, "If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost America," suggests that the journalist's opinion had a profound impact on both public sentiment and the administration's approach to the war, contributing to Johnson’s decision not to seek reelection and to negotiate an end to the conflict.