4 ms·
Great person but he was unpopular as a president at the time because he failed to stop high inflation and to resolve the Iranian hostage crisis. The latter espe
by doktorhladnjak 4y ago
Great person but he was unpopular as a president at the time because he failed to stop high inflation and to resolve the Iranian hostage crisis. The latter especially sunk his chances of re-election. So much of politics is about what happens when you’re in office, but also how you deal with what happens.
- syzarian 4y agoWhat I don’t understand about narrative that Carter failed on Iran is that Regan never got enough blame for blatantly violating U.S. laws and negotiated with Iran despite saying we don’t negotiate with hostage takers. Carter got far too much blame and Reagan far too little. https://www.vox.com/2016/1/25/10826056/reagan-iran-hostage-negotiation https://www.vox.com/2016/1/25/10826056/reagan-iran-hostage-n...
- krapp 4y agoTo put it simply, winners write the history, and Reagan's influence on American politics and culture far outstripped Carter.
- michaelscott 4y agoReagan played the political game far better than both Carter and Nixon (Watergate notwithstanding). He was a master at couching effective foreign policy tactics, which often relied on detente (eg negotiating with Iran), within the augur of American values and exceptionalism that spoke to the people of the time ("we don't negotiate with hostage takers"). The former was critical to actually get things done, but a president has to realise that the latter is just as critical because you need that public support to get the former through the door.
- refurb 4y agoPretty much this. As much as people hate politics, its the politicians who can work thr system that are the most effective. Image is important because thats what maintains support, but you also need to be pragmatic at the same time and do things that might lose you support because voters dont understand the trade offs.
- syzarian 4y agoBut Reagan’s “effectiveness” includes murdering and torturing human rights advocates who opposed his unlawful actions in Central America. The U.S. and world would be better without such “effectiveness”.
- syzarian 4y agoBut Reagan got things done by blatantly violating the law with impunity. Lovers of democratic forms of governance ought to look with disdain at such shenanigans.
- michaelscott 4y agoI'm not really making a comment about his morality, only his skill. If you have an issue with his methods and what they mean morally, I'd suggest you not look too deeply at any of the people who've sat in the Oval Office. Every president since at least Truman, in a more ideal world, would be tried for war crimes for a start. In the real world things are a little more grey though.
- syzarian 4y agoI overall agree with your point. There are many crimes the U.S. government has committed with impunity.
- coin 4y agoHe did resolve the Iranian hostage crisis. It was just that the hostages weren't released until 20 minutes after Regan was sworn in.
- JKCalhoun 4y agoYeah, it was the first time (I was then a young adult) when I smelled a rat at the Presidential level. Even then I called bullshit – later to learn it was all part of a hostage-for-arms swap. Disgusting.
- emilsedgh 4y agoIf there was any justice, there would be an investigation around Republicans' treason around this. Watch HBO's documentary about the matter but basically republicans negotiate with Iran behind US government's knowledge to not release the hostages until Raegan becomes president. Had it not been for this literal treason for party gain, Carter would've managed to get them released much earlier.