“October Surprises” That Shook Up Presidential Elections

 

iran contra

Weinberger and Iran-Contra (1992)
With President George H.W. Bush desperately fighting for a second term, the specter of the Iran-Contra affair hung over his entire administration. For those of you who skipped history class, Iran-Contra was when the Regan Administration clandestinely dealt arms to Iran while the Iranians were under an arms embargo. Former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger was indicted for his role in the scandal four days before the election where Bill Clinton defeated Bush 370-168 in the Electoral College.