This is my first TL on here inspired by the thread for AHC to ruin Reagan's legacy. This TL uses one POD by having the scandal break a month earlier, putting it just in time to impact the outcome of the mid-term elections.
July 1986 - Hezbollah agents trade a Catholic Relief aid worker for arms as part of the network established by Oliver North.
August 2nd, 1986 (POD) - Medhi Hashami, a devoted supporter of the Iranian Revolution, has had enough with the secret arms deals with the United States. Hashami, after hearing of the recent hostage for arms trade, contacts the Lebanese newspaper Ash-Shiraa and arranges the leak.
August 10th, 1986 - Hashami meets in secret with Lebanese reporters in Beirut and gives them specific information confirming his story.
August 24th, 1986 - Ash-Shiraa editors approve following up on the arms-for-hostages deal following subsequent investigation.
October 3rd, 1986 - Ash-Shiraa publishes the story on the arms-for-hostages deal. The Iranian government confirms the story the next day.
October 5th, 1986 - CBS News runs a story on the arms for hostages swaps.
October 6th, 1986 - Ronald Reagan takes to the airwaves speaking directly to the American people from the Oval Office on the subject saying,
"My purpose was... to send a signal that the United States was prepared to replace the animosity between [the U.S. and Iran] with a new relationship... At the same time we undertook this initiative, we made clear that Iran must oppose all forms of international terrorism as a condition of progress in our relationship. The most significant step which Iran could take, we indicated, would be to use its influence in Lebanon to secure the release of all hostages held there."
October 7th, 1986 -House Majority Leader Jim Wright and Senate Minority Leader Robert Byrd hold a joint press conference. They condemn the Reagan administration for violating the terms of the Boland Amendment which expressly forbid the use of government funds to support Contra efforts to overthrow the Nicaraguan government.
October 12th, 1986 - Nicaraguan forces shoot down a cargo plane running supplies to Contra forces. In a press conference held by the Nicaraguan government the lone survivor, Eugene Hasenfus, claims the flights were directly supervised by the CIA.
October 13th, 1986 - The headline on every television and newspaper today is the growing arms for hostages scandal. Many are openly wondering if this will be a new Watergate, leading to some to dub it Irangate.
October 14th, 1986 - In a contentious press conference the White House responds to the growing publicity. Press Secretary Larry Speakes says the administration position is Congress does not have the right to dictate foreign policy through its power of the purse.
October 16th, 1986 - Wright and Byrd, with all the current Democratic Congress members in attendance, hold a press conference denouncing the White House's high-handed behavior. Jim Wright denounces Reagan as another Richard Nixon.
October 20th, 1986 - New polls are in on the growing Iran-Contra scandal. A New York Times/CBS poll puts the President's approval rating at 46% down from 67%, the largest single drop in approval ratings in Presidential history. Pollsters are predicting the Democrats will retake the Senate with a strong majority and strengthen their domination of the House.
July 1986 - Hezbollah agents trade a Catholic Relief aid worker for arms as part of the network established by Oliver North.
August 2nd, 1986 (POD) - Medhi Hashami, a devoted supporter of the Iranian Revolution, has had enough with the secret arms deals with the United States. Hashami, after hearing of the recent hostage for arms trade, contacts the Lebanese newspaper Ash-Shiraa and arranges the leak.
August 10th, 1986 - Hashami meets in secret with Lebanese reporters in Beirut and gives them specific information confirming his story.
August 24th, 1986 - Ash-Shiraa editors approve following up on the arms-for-hostages deal following subsequent investigation.
October 3rd, 1986 - Ash-Shiraa publishes the story on the arms-for-hostages deal. The Iranian government confirms the story the next day.
October 5th, 1986 - CBS News runs a story on the arms for hostages swaps.
October 6th, 1986 - Ronald Reagan takes to the airwaves speaking directly to the American people from the Oval Office on the subject saying,
"My purpose was... to send a signal that the United States was prepared to replace the animosity between [the U.S. and Iran] with a new relationship... At the same time we undertook this initiative, we made clear that Iran must oppose all forms of international terrorism as a condition of progress in our relationship. The most significant step which Iran could take, we indicated, would be to use its influence in Lebanon to secure the release of all hostages held there."
October 7th, 1986 -House Majority Leader Jim Wright and Senate Minority Leader Robert Byrd hold a joint press conference. They condemn the Reagan administration for violating the terms of the Boland Amendment which expressly forbid the use of government funds to support Contra efforts to overthrow the Nicaraguan government.
October 12th, 1986 - Nicaraguan forces shoot down a cargo plane running supplies to Contra forces. In a press conference held by the Nicaraguan government the lone survivor, Eugene Hasenfus, claims the flights were directly supervised by the CIA.
October 13th, 1986 - The headline on every television and newspaper today is the growing arms for hostages scandal. Many are openly wondering if this will be a new Watergate, leading to some to dub it Irangate.
October 14th, 1986 - In a contentious press conference the White House responds to the growing publicity. Press Secretary Larry Speakes says the administration position is Congress does not have the right to dictate foreign policy through its power of the purse.
October 16th, 1986 - Wright and Byrd, with all the current Democratic Congress members in attendance, hold a press conference denouncing the White House's high-handed behavior. Jim Wright denounces Reagan as another Richard Nixon.
October 20th, 1986 - New polls are in on the growing Iran-Contra scandal. A New York Times/CBS poll puts the President's approval rating at 46% down from 67%, the largest single drop in approval ratings in Presidential history. Pollsters are predicting the Democrats will retake the Senate with a strong majority and strengthen their domination of the House.
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