Flash Points USA - America at War - James Thorber (raw material of interview with James Thorber, answers questions related to various Presidents) (second part of interview) 04.01.49 James Thorber says that Presidents are defeated because of their actions in war, LBJ never ran for a second term because of Vietnam, Nixon ran on a "peace platform" saying he would get us out of Vietnam. 04.03.48 James Thorber says that war is never a "good policy" for any President, but if you're forced to go to war and win, you're seen as a "hero" in the eyes of the American public.