Republicans scuppered Carter's 1980 re-election by sending a delegation to get the message to Iran not to release American hostages because they would get a better deal from Reagan, who was opposing Carter in the election. I'm pretty sure this isn't paywalled, at least not right now.
A prominent Texas politician said he unwittingly took part in a 1980 tour of the Middle East with a clandestine agenda.
www.nytimes.com
President Carter was a good Christian man; humble peanut farmer from Georgia, active in his Church. The 1970's had been a time of turmoil; Nixon and Viet Nam era. Candidate Carter, in 1976, was seen as a good man and honest soul, who the nation craved, for a new healthier change. Unfortunately, Carter got over his head as President, as inside and outside pressures took advantage of his good nature.
Carter was also one of those rare presidents who would read everything that crossed his desk, instead of depending on others to give him their summary. He was very smart, but his hands on approach was very time consuming, and he got worn out as time went on, and then savaged in many directions.
There was the 1970's energy crisis where Arab nations; OPAC nations, lowered world oil supplies. US gas supplies fell and prices skyrocketed. I remember sitting in long lines at gas stations; all the way down the road, and rationing gas at one open pump; 5 gallons each. It was even worse than the mess created by Biden and the Democrats when they tampered with domestic fuel exploration, production and supplies. Those who revise history make the same mistakes, often on purpose.
Carter, like Biden then presided over a period of very high inflation. Mortgage interest rates were 12-16%, compared to 5%, today. It was hard buying a house with a reasonable monthly payment. Then the Ayatollahs, which were the Religious leaders of Persia; Iran, overthrew the more secular, Shah of Iran (king), who had been an ally with the USA. Iran went from modern secular to back to the Middle Ages, over night, controlled by harsh and militant Religious leaders. This is when the American Hostages were taken. Ted Koppel, of ABC, would begin his news program; America Held Hostage.
When Candidate Regan came along, he projected strength and resolve, which was how you dealt with the Ayatollahs, Arab oil sheiks, the USSR, etc. President Carter was too much of a peace maker, and could be ignored and controlled by bullies.
Regan also had new ideas about how to deal with inflation; tax cuts and reduce government spending. Regan had been governor of California and his approach had been successful. Regan had also been the head of the Actor's Union from his days as an actor. He would use TV and media, like a pro, to get the America people behind his ideas and to also undermine political noise and foot dragging.
Regan symbolized another changing of the times, from the ends of hippies and love generation; Carter was the last, to the Yuppies; young urban professionals, who now gave up their bell bottoms and tie died shirts, and dressed for success and corporate competition. America rebuilt the military under Regan and the USSR came unraveled.
Just as Jimmie Carter was right for his moment, so was Regan the man for his time. The conspiracy theory is more about lingering Democrat resentment, for being so easily man handled by Regan's popularity and media expertise. President Carter would go on to do charity work and formed the Habitat for Humanity. This was where he really shined as a person since nobody tried to undermine his good works with his charity.
