A batch of quietly released documents confirms what many have long suspected: Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign worked behind the scenes to delay the release of US hostages in Iran, for the benefit of Reagan’s election campaign. It raises the question: When was the last time a Republican won a presidential election without the help of dirty tricks?
It's not quite the confirmation of the conspiracy theory which suggest direct coordination, more that Reagon spread fake news to delay the release of the hostages.
The Chase team helped the Reagan campaign gather and spread rumors about possible payoffs to win the release, a propaganda effort that Carter administration officials have said impeded talks to free the captives.
It's not quite the confirmation of the conspiracy theory which suggest direct coordination, more that Reagon spread fake news to delay the release of the hostages.
Critics will quibble that these documents don’t prove the actual specifics of the long-alleged “October Surprise.” This is true. According to the Times, they don’t show Reagan striking a deal with the Iranians to delay the release of the American hostages until after the election, but simply working behind the scenes to thwart negotiations to free them. Perhaps someone out there exists who thinks this is better.
It's not quite the confirmation of the conspiracy theory which suggest direct coordination, more that Reagon spread fake news to delay the release of the hostages.