Reagan and the Iran-Contra Affair: The Politics of Presidential Recovery

by Robert Busby

Overview

The Iran-Contra scandal rocked the Reagan presidency to its core in late 1986 and 1987. This text examines the efforts of the Reagan administration to recover its public credibility in the 12 months following the exposure of controversial covert operations. Via comparative analysis it explores the impact of scandal upon the presidential office, the problems which confronted President Reagan during Iran-Contra and the centrality of damage-control efforts to the well-being of the modern presidency.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781349147281
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	01/01/1999
Edition description:	1st ed. 1999
Pages:	222
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

ROBERT BUSBY is Lecturer in the Department of American Studies at Liverpool Hope University College. He has held this position since 1994.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements Introduction Political Scandal in the United States Damage Limitation: the Modern Experience Origins of the Iran-Contra Scandal Teflon Trauma: October-November 1986 Riding the Storm: November 1986-February 1987 Searching for Stability: February-July 1987 Congressional Finale: July-November 1987 Conclusion Notes Index

Editorial Reviews

No smoking gun. The British scholar of American politics is concerned with how the Reagan administration attempted to recover its political and popular standing in the 12 months after they plummeted in response to 1986-87 revelations about controversial and illegal US covert operations in the Middle East and Central America. He points out the corrosive impact of scandal politics in modern America in general and the presidency in particular. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknew.com)

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