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The myth of Reagan's 'October surprise' dies hard
Washingtonexaminer ^ | 04/13/2023 | Justin P. Coffey

Posted on 04/13/2023 12:52:18 PM PDT by ChicagoConservative27

On March 18, the New York Times published a bombshell story . In the article, Peter Baker, the New York Times's chief White House correspondent, detailed how Ben Barnes, a Republican political operative, undertook a secret trip in fall 1980 with his political mentor, former Texas Gov. John Connally, to the Middle East. They met with the region’s leaders in an attempt to contact the Iranian government, which was holding over 50 Americans hostage. The message that Connally wanted to convey to Iran was simple — that Iran should delay releasing the hostages until after the presidential election. Keeping the Americans in Iran would guarantee President Jimmy Carter’s defeat, and the Iranian government could negotiate a much better deal with President Ronald Reagan.

There are many problems with this story, which Baker rather sheepishly admits. “Confirming Mr. Barnes’s account is problematic after so much time,” Baker writes.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: 4thgradevocabulary; chicagocusservative; frpottymouths; illiteratefreepers; myth; october; reagan; surprise
Bombshell my butt
1 posted on 04/13/2023 12:52:18 PM PDT by ChicagoConservative27
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To: ChicagoConservative27

Bombshell news stories and titles should be banned for speeding.


2 posted on 04/13/2023 1:00:32 PM PDT by Bayard
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To: Bayard

Showing up everyday, can’t possibly show up in every city journalism report.


3 posted on 04/13/2023 1:02:46 PM PDT by Bayard
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To: ChicagoConservative27
In 1953 Dim President Truman's CIA overthrew Iran's elected government.

Through the entire year of 1980 Dim President Carter chose not to make an example of Iran for taking Americans hostage in November 1979.

In 1988 Real Man President Reagan ordered Operation Praying Mantis that killed 56 Iranians and sank 6 Iranian ships for the mine exploding on USS Samuel B Roberts.

But somehow the Dims want us to believe our Iran problems were somehow Reagan's fault.

4 posted on 04/13/2023 1:07:21 PM PDT by Tell It Right (1st Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: Tell It Right
In 1953 Dim President Truman's CIA overthrew Iran's elected government.

That was Eisenhower's operation executed by Allen Dulles.

5 posted on 04/13/2023 1:09:49 PM PDT by Publius
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To: ChicagoConservative27
detailed how Ben Barnes, a Republican political operative, undertook a secret trip in fall 1980 with his political mentor, former Texas Gov. John Connally, to the Middle East.

Ben Barnes was a Democrat.

6 posted on 04/13/2023 1:10:16 PM PDT by Toddsterpatriot (TANSTAAFL)
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To: Toddsterpatriot

So was Connally.


7 posted on 04/13/2023 1:12:07 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Publius

I stand corrected.


8 posted on 04/13/2023 1:16:33 PM PDT by Tell It Right (1st Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: ChicagoConservative27

Source: I made up.

Of course, it’s probably enough to make a Netflix movie about it. Or maybe Oliver Stone will make it a “documentary”.


9 posted on 04/13/2023 1:22:13 PM PDT by ETCM (“There is no security, no safety, in the appeasement of evil.” — Ronald Reagan)
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To: ETCM

The hostages being released after Reagan’s victory was such an embarrassing moment for Carter administration and the left that they had to explain it away somehow. This was their poor attempt.
I was only in 6th grade at the time and understood what had happened.


10 posted on 04/13/2023 2:12:05 PM PDT by Gary from Dayton (Scary unvaccinated American )
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To: ChicagoConservative27

Liberals actually believe that if they say something, that makes it true, and if you present facts that contradict it, you’re a liar.


11 posted on 04/13/2023 2:16:30 PM PDT by TBP (Decent people cannot fathom the amoral cruelty of the Biden regime.)
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To: Publius

Overthrew Mossadegh, put in Pahlavi.


12 posted on 04/13/2023 2:27:37 PM PDT by John S Mosby (Sic Semper Tyrannis )
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To: Gary from Dayton

So herbert walker bush didnt fly in the second seat of a SR 71?
Damn


13 posted on 04/13/2023 3:15:06 PM PDT by South Dakota (Patriotism is the new terrorism )
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To: dfwgator

Connally became a Republican. Barnes never did.


14 posted on 04/13/2023 3:48:48 PM PDT by Toddsterpatriot (TANSTAAFL)
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To: ChicagoConservative27

I remember this being circulated back in the early 80s.


15 posted on 04/13/2023 4:18:01 PM PDT by ealgeone
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To: ChicagoConservative27

I had heard a story where Reagan officials were talking to countries friendly with Iran that if Reagan were elected, he would kick ass and chew bubblegum and he was all out of bubblegum.


16 posted on 04/13/2023 5:17:08 PM PDT by Mean Daddy (Every time Hillary lies, a demon gets its wings. - Windflier)
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