The timing of the hostage release was odd, and I have wondered from time to time if it was not a set up to try and further disgrace Carter.
But why would Reagan's people want to do this after the landslide victory of the 1980 election?
What would be the point?
However, despite those obvious questions I still wonder about the timing.
Any thoughts about the timing of the Iran US Embassy hostage release?
2006-11-24 05:40:52 · 16 answers · asked by Middy S 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Absurd. Reagan lacked the authority to do that. The timing was due to the fact that the Iranians had contempt for Carter but they feared Reagan.
2006-11-24 05:52:15 · answer #1 · answered by yupchagee 7 · 18⤊ 5⤋
Yes, the hostages were released 20 minutes after reagan's inauguration so there was something weird there. At the time, many people thought Reagan scared Iran into releasing the hostages while it seems to me the begotiation was more due to Carter. Either way, Reagan came in strong with some "political capital" which he spent...many of his policies are much like George W's today. Tax cuts, huge deficits, even the way he dealt with the press(the teflon president, they called Reagan)-he rarely answered questions but deflected them with his "down to earth" demeanor-a joke and a smile.
Various allegations have been made over the years concerning a deal between the Reagan kitchen cabinet and Iran, in order to delay the release of the hostages until after the US election of 1980. Although Senate and House investigations in the 1990s declared the allegations to be unfounded, the conspiracy's existence or lack thereof remains a subject of debate. The exact nature of the allegations lies in a potential violation of the International Commerce Acts of 1798 which prohibit any private citizen or party from negotiating with a foreign power in matters of national policy or military action. It is alleged by political opponents that the Reagan campaign, or one of his election campaign staffers, communicated with the Iranian government and asked them to extend the hostage crisis long enough to ensure that he won the 1980 elections. The main cause for inquiry was the seeming coincidence of his inauguration and the hostages' release on the same day, 20th January 1981
2006-11-24 05:58:47 · answer #2 · answered by Middleclassandnotquiet 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The timing although strange, I feel had nothing to do with the election. Carter may not have been the greatest President in US history, however he was not an Iranian threat.
The hostage crisis did help lead to Reagan's election in his first term. But I don't think that those holding the hostages would have wanted Reagan to be elected. Reagan would prove to be a much stronger President than Carter. And Carter would prove to be a much greater Ex-President than President.
Basically the two were strangely timed but the only real winner was Reagan, taking advantage of great situation.
2006-11-24 05:49:12 · answer #3 · answered by Frank 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think your time line is off a little . I believe Reagan made the deal before he was elected . The Iranians believed that Reagan would win and made a deal with him . Reagan knew that if the hostages were not released before the election that his chances to win would be even better . That's how he got his secret money to play with the contras
2006-11-24 05:49:34 · answer #4 · answered by Az Rastaman 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
the Iranians hated carter and refused to allow the release until he was gone. That's why he waited just a few minutes after to make carter look bad. What looked bad to me was Reagan not even giving the out going president a chance to take a minute amount of credit for the release. It was just another "tear down this wall" speech for Reagan. I hated that guy. and his star wars program.
2006-11-24 06:11:42 · answer #5 · answered by Stand 4 somthing Please! 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Carter was for talking, Reagan was over the talking stage. Iran knew carter was a wimp, but Reagan was an unknown who would probably level the joint. At least that was what we were all hoping. Iran buckled, our hostages came home, carter was pathetic then and he is even more so now. I was serving overseas when that loser was President.
2006-11-24 06:27:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
its was Ross Perot was the one who got the hostages out or should i say negated there release it just happens that he has been a friend of Regan for many years also he help release the 5 teachers being held in Lebanon during that time
2006-11-24 05:53:56 · answer #7 · answered by nascar_fan_that_travels 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Of course they did. Ever know a Republican Administration since Eisenhower to play by the rules? Ford doesn't count.
2006-11-24 08:05:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
its a fact not a premise it all came out during the Iran-Contra hearings when Ollie was on the stand
2006-11-25 00:35:15 · answer #9 · answered by paulisfree2004 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was pretty odd timing...and to think, just a few short years later....we'd be selling weapons to them!
First with Israel helping to negotiate the deal...and then on our own.
2006-11-24 06:12:12 · answer #10 · answered by kissmybum 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋