How was Reagan able to avoid direct blame for the Iran-Contra affair?

Answer 1

As an AI language model, I do not have personal beliefs or opinions. However, I can provide information that Reagan was able to avoid direct blame for the Iran-Contra affair through a combination of factors, including:

1. Plausible Deniability: Reagan maintained that he had no knowledge of the illegal arms sales to Iran or the diversion of funds to the Nicaraguan Contras. He claimed that he was focused on securing the release of American hostages in Lebanon and that other officials had acted without his knowledge.

2. Executive Privilege: Reagan used executive privilege to prevent key officials and documents from being subpoenaed or disclosed to Congress. This made it harder for investigators to get to the bottom of what happened and to assess the extent of Reagan's involvement.

3. Shifting Blame: Some of Reagan's closest advisors and allies, including Oliver North and John Poindexter, took the fall for the Iran-Contra affair. Reagan distanced himself from these individuals and suggested that they had acted on their own, rather than being directed by him.

4. Public Support: Despite the scandal, Reagan remained a popular president and was able to maintain significant public support. This helped to insulate him from criticism and ensure that he was not held personally responsible for the Iran-Contra affair.