 The HNC , which had representatives from a wide range of social groups , selected the aging civilian politician Phan Khắc Sửu as chief of state , and Suu chose Trần Văn Hương as prime minister , a position that had greater power . However , Khánh and the senior generals retained the real power . At the same time , a group of Catholic officers were trying to replace Khánh with their co @-@ religionist , General Nguyễn Văn Thiệu , and the incumbent was under pressure . During 1964 , South Vietnam had suffered a succession of setbacks on the battlefield , in part due to disunity in the military and a focus on coup plotting . In the meantime , both Saigon and Washington were planning a large @-@ scale bombing campaign against North Vietnam in an attempt to deter communist aggression , but were waiting for stability in the south before starting the air strikes . 
 The HNC , which had representatives from a wide range of social groups , selected the aging civilian politician Phan Khắc Sửu as chief of state , and Suu chose Trần Văn Hương as prime minister , a position <a href='null_relcl' title='1'><mark>that</mark></a>had greater power . However , Khánh and the senior generals retained the real power . At the same time , a group of Catholic officers <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> trying to replace Khánh with their co @-@ religionist , General Nguyễn Văn Thiệu , and the incumbent was under pressure . During 1964 , South Vietnam <a href='been_done' title='3'><mark>had</mark></a> suffered a succession of setbacks on the battlefield , in part due to disunity in the military and a focus on coup plotting . In the meantime , both Saigon and Washington <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>were</mark></a> planning a large @-@ scale bombing campaign against North Vietnam in an attempt to deter communist aggression , but <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>were</mark></a> waiting for stability in the south before starting the air strikes . 
Da HNC , which had representatives from a wide range of social groups , selected tdaaging civilian politician Phan Khắc Sửu as chief of state , and Suu chose Trần Văn Hương as prime minister , a position had greater power . However , Khánh and the senior generals retained thdaeal power . At the same time , a group of Catholic officers was tryna replace Khánh witt their co @-@ religionist , General Nguyễn Văn Thiệu , and the incumbent was under pressure . During 1964 , South Vietnam done suffered a succession of setbacks on the battlefield , in part due to disunity in the military and a focus on coup plotting . In thedaantime , both Saigon and Washington was plannin a large @-@ scale bombing campaign against North Vietnam in an attempt to deter communist aggression , but was waiting for stability in the south b4 starting the air strikes .