October Surprise

By denki
  • James Garfield Death Warrant

    James Garfield Death Warrant
    made it look like James believed unrestricted Chinese immigration is good for business.
  • FDR Almost Loses the Black Vote

    FDR Almost Loses the Black Vote
    Black Americans were appalled that segregation was still the norm in the U.S. military, and that FDR had done nothing about it.
  • Kissinger Prematurely Announces ‘Peace’ in Vietnam

    Kissinger Prematurely Announces ‘Peace’ in Vietnam
    Henry Kissinger, Nixon’s national security advisor, from attending a press conference on October 26 and proclaiming that “peace is at hand.” In reality, the war would continue for another three years.
  • Reagan Campaign Coins the Term ‘October Surprise’

    Democrats then accused Reagan of striking a secret deal with Iran to hold the hostages until after he took office.
  • Iran-Contra Indictment Is Bad News for George H.W. Bush

    Iran-Contra Indictment Is Bad News for George H.W. Bush
    Weinberger was the biggest name to be charged in the case, giving credence to the idea that everyone in the Reagan administration knew about the crime, including Bush. While Weinberger’s indictment didn’t happen in October, the timing was still bad for Bush, who lost the election to Clinton.
  • A DUI Almost Derails George W. Bush

    George W. Bush was arrested for drunk driving in Maine after a long night of partying. The revelation seemed to confirm unflattering portrayals of the younger Bush as unfit for office.
  • FBI Reopens Probe into Clinton’s Emails

    The resurrection of the email investigation—which had been the target of Republican ire for a year—delivered a crippling blow to the Clinton campaign.