Editing Harold Holt (section)

===="All the way with LBJ"====
{{See also|Australia–United States relations}}
[[File:Harold Holt and Lyndon Johnson.jpg|thumb|right|Holt with U.S. President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] in October 1966]]
Holt cultivated a close relationship with the United States under President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]. He believed that "without the American shield most of us who live in Asia and the South Pacific would have a continuing sense of insecurity". Cooperation between the two countries extended beyond the Vietnam War. Holt approved the construction of several [[Earth stations in Australia|Earth stations]] for use by [[NASA]] and American intelligence agencies, including [[Pine Gap]], [[Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station|Honeysuckle Creek]], and [[Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex|Tidbinbilla]]. This made Australia "the most substantial centre for American missile and space operations outside the continental United States".<ref>Frame (2005), p. 190.</ref>

Holt and Johnson developed a personal friendship. They were the same age, and had first met in 1942, when Johnson visited Melbourne as a naval officer; afterwards they shared a similar career trajectory. Holt visited the U.S. twice while in office, in June and July 1966, and on the latter visit was invited to stay at [[Camp David]]. He and Johnson reportedly played tennis, lounged by the pool, and watched movies together.<ref name=beyond>[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/all-the-way-and-beyond/news-story/5027b3daabfa592207fc491f21adfaa1 All the way, and beyond], ''[[The Australian]]'', 4 November 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2017.</ref><ref>[https://providencemag.com/2017/02/lbjs-australian-bromance/ LBJ's Australian Bromance], 8 February 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.</ref> In October 1966, Johnson made the first visit to Australia by an incumbent American president; Vice President [[Hubert Humphrey]] had visited in February of that year.<ref name="Frame 2005, p. 178"/> He toured five cities, and was greeted by large crowds as well as a number of anti-war demonstrators, who disrupted the presidential motorcade. The opposition criticised the visit as a publicity stunt.<ref>Frame (2005), pp. 163–164.</ref> Johnson later returned to Australia for Holt's memorial service, and invited his widow [[Zara Holt|Zara]] to stay with him when she visited the United States in 1969.<ref name=beyond/>

On his first visit to the U.S., Holt made what was widely viewed as a ''faux pas'' while delivering a ceremonial address at the [[White House]]. Departing from his prepared remarks, he said: "And so, sir, in the lonelier and perhaps even more disheartening moments which come to any national leader, I hope there will be a corner of your mind and heart which takes cheer from the fact that you have an admiring friend, a staunch friend that will be ''all the way with LBJ''."<ref>Frame (2005), p. 181.</ref> Holt had meant it to be a "light-hearted gesture of goodwill towards a generous host", referencing the slogan used in [[1964 United States presidential election|Johnson's 1964 presidential campaign]].<ref>Frame (2005), p. 182.</ref> It was interpreted as such by his immediate audience, but once it was reported back in Australia it came to be viewed as a "foolish, sycophantic and dangerous statement" that was indicative of Australian subservience.<ref name=beyond/> [[Bill Hayden]] said Holt's remarks "shocked and insulted many Australians [...] its seeming servility was an embarrassment and a worry".<ref>Frame (2005), p. 183.</ref> Newspaper editorials generally agreed with Holt's assertion that he had been misinterpreted, but still criticised him for making an error in judgment.<ref>Frame (2005), p. 184.</ref> His comments intensified anti-war sentiments among those who were already opposed to the war, but had little electoral impact. Nonetheless, "all the way with LBJ" is still remembered as Holt's "best-known utterance".<ref name=personal/>