http://www.observer.com/2007/g-o-p-tall-tales-about-reaganG.O.P. Tall-Tales About Reaganby Joe Conason
Published: May 8, 2007
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Such belligerent invocations of the old actor are standard fare on the G.O.P. primary circuit. The actual circumstances of American relations with Iran during the Reagan years—and indeed of security policy in general back then—were more complex and less inspirational (as Mr. Giuliani must know, unless he is now suffering from the onset of dementia).
The tough gunslinger described by the Republican candidates resembles the real Reagan about as accurately as his movie roles resembled his real life. It was strange to hear him mentioned in the context of Iran, the scene of the worst foreign-policy fiasco of his administration—and the topic that most clearly demonstrates the distance between right-wing fantasy and historical reality.
It was especially strange to hear those words uttered by Mr. Giuliani, who wants everyone to remember that he once served as a top official in the Reagan Justice Department, but who seems to have forgotten the criminal case and constitutional crisis known as the Iran-contra affair. But let’s begin at the beginning.
Available evidence strongly indicates that when the Iranian regime released American hostages in January 1981, within hours of the first Reagan inauguration, that decision had nothing to do with fear of the new President and everything to do with a prearranged deal. While no proof of that plot has ever emerged, the covert sequel that commenced three years later certainly arouses suspicion.
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