It is also critical to remember that not only did Reagan's campaign interfere with negotiations BEFORE the election to avoid an October Surprise, after winning the election, Reagan's team CONTINUED interfering with negotiations to ENSURE the hostages would not be released under Carter. This was aimed at "spiking the ball" on the meme of Democrats being "weak on defense" and Republicans "standing up fer 'Muricans," a meme still in force today, despite forty four years of evidence of incompetence, malfeasance and outright traitorous actions on the part of Republican Presidents and their cabinets and staff.

If you were a hostage (or a hostage's family member), how would you feel knowing your 444 days of captivity could have been 60-90 days LESS but for the actions of your own incoming President?

WTH