Comment: October Surprise

It is no coincidence that the hostages were held until the last day of Carter's presidency. HW's hand was behind it... and it became clear when Iran-Contra surfaced.

Atlanta, April 25, 1991: Former president Jimmy Carter today called for an investigation into charges that members of Ronald Reagan's 1980 campaign team struck a deal with Iranian leaders to keep American hostages captive until after the November election.

Speaking to reporters, Carter called the suggestion that Reagan staff members conspired to keep hostages in Iran `almost nauseating.'

`But the evidence, I think, is so large that I think it has aroused a genuine question,' Carter said. `I think there ought to be more thorough investigation of the allegations.'

* A number of former hostages pushed for a Congressional Hearing in the early 90's but never got one.