Knowing what you do now about the events in the 1960s, what do you think President Johnson means by this quote?

Question

Knowing what you do now about the events in the 1960s, what do you think President Johnson means by this quote?

I feel like I just grabbed a big juicy worm with a right sharp hook in the middle of it.

Agree with the sentence below
I think he had high hopes and found that hidden beneath the surface there were many issues he was going to have to deal with.

Answer 1

Yes, I agree with the interpretation that President Johnson likely means that he initially had high hopes or excitement about a situation, only to realize that there were significant challenges or difficulties concealed beneath the surface. The metaphor of grabbing a worm with a hook in the middle suggests that there are unexpected obstacles or problems that he has to navigate. This sentiment aligns with the complexities and challenges that Johnson faced during the turbulent time of the 1960s, such as the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and social unrest.