The song was inspired by David Eisenhower, the grandson of President Dwight David Eisenhower who married Julie Nixon, the daughter of President Richard Nixon, in 1968.John Fogerty told Rolling Stone:
"Julie Nixon was hanging around with David Eisenhower, and you just had
the feeling that none of these people were going to be involved with
the war. In 1968, the majority of the country thought morale was great
among the troops, and eighty percent of them were in favor of the war.
But to some of us who were watching closely, we just knew we were headed
for trouble."