Hostages to Ronald Reagan's political ambitions
In their pursuit of power, Republicans turned the fate of American lives into political gamesmanship.
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In their pursuit of power, Republicans turned the fate of American lives into political gamesmanship.
PBS NewsHour celebrated the return of the ancient “October Surprise” election conspiracy theory -- the unsubstantiated rumor that Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign, led by William Casey, delayed the release of the 52 American hostages in Iran in order to win election over Democrat Jimmy Carter. The original version was advanced by former Carter aide Gary Sick before being discredited in both follow-up news accounts and subsequent congressional hearings, which found the accusers shady and lacking in credibility.
Allegations about the 1980 campaign surface as the GOP's top 2024 candidates veer from Reagan's resolute stand against totalitarianism.
At last we have definitive confirmation that the Republicans were urging Iran not to release US hostages until Ronald Reagan was elected. <strong>Daniel Lazare</strong> comments
Hostages held by Iranian militants for 444 days were appalled to learn that former Texas Gov. John Connally urged their captors through backchannels to delay...