Frontline Season 9 Episode 22 The Election Held Hostage

The election of 1980 between Ronald Reagan and incumbent President Jimmy Carter was a turning point in American political history. Frontline's season 9 episode 22, "The Election Held Hostage," delves into the behind-the-scenes drama that kept the outcome of the election uncertain until the very end.

The episode focuses on the Iran hostage crisis, which began in November 1979 when a group of Iranian militants stormed the American embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage. The crisis dragged on for 444 days, dominating the news cycle and becoming a symbol of American impotence on the world stage.

As the election approached, both Carter and Reagan saw an opportunity to use the crisis to their advantage. Carter, who had been unable to secure the hostages' release, hoped to rally voters around his leadership in the face of adversity. Reagan, on the other hand, criticized Carter's handling of the crisis and promised to take a tougher stance against Iran if elected.

But behind the scenes, there were covert negotiations taking place that threatened to upend the entire election. The episode reveals how members of Reagan's presidential campaign, including future Secretary of State James Baker, secretly reached out to Iranian officials in an effort to delay the release of the hostages until after the election. The plan, known as the "October Surprise," would have made Carter look weak and ineffectual and given Reagan a boost in the polls.

The episode also explores allegations that the Reagan campaign worked with members of the Israeli government to funnel money to the Iranians in exchange for their cooperation. While these allegations have never been proven, they remain a subject of controversy to this day.

Through interviews with key players in the crisis, including former CIA Director Stansfield Turner and former National Security Advisor Gary Sick, "The Election Held Hostage" paints a vivid picture of the high-stakes game of politics and diplomacy that shaped the 1980 presidential election. It's a gripping tale of power, deceit, and the lengths to which people will go to win an election.

Overall, this episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in American politics or international relations. It sheds light on a crucial moment in American history and explores the complex and often murky forces that shape our political system. With insightful interviews and compelling storytelling, "The Election Held Hostage" is a gripping and informative piece of television.