Why did President Johnson oppose sending ground troops to Vietnam despite authorization by Congress to do so?

President Lyndon B. Johnson opposed sending ground troops to Vietnam primarily due to concerns about the potential for escalating the conflict into a larger war, particularly with China. He sought to contain communism without triggering a full-scale military confrontation that could lead to significant American casualties and international backlash. Johnson also believed in a strategy of limited engagement, aiming to support South Vietnam while avoiding a direct invasion that could destabilize the region further. His approach reflected a desire to balance military action with political solutions.