LBJ 40 years on

A date I always remember clearly is 31 March 1968. On that day LBJ announced he would not run for reelection, and would not accept his party's nomination if it were offered. I remember clearly sitting in the living room of my family's apartment, doing homework, and listening to that speech.

I think I can date my active interest in politics from that day; well, night. Bobby Kennedy, Gene McCarthy, Nelson Rockefeller, George Romney, Richard Nixon, Hubert Humphrey; those are the names I remember from 1968.

40 years later my interest in politics remains; this year's campaign has energized me as I haven't been since perhaps 1972.