Reagan’s Speech on the Contras
President Reagan’s Iran- contra speech to the nation was in actuality a plea of guilty to two charges that have been made against his presidency--that his policies have on occasion been mistaken, and that his Administrative style has been inefficient in not securing full information from his subordinates.
These admissions provide no basis for impeachment or legal action, but neither do they provide any basis for presidential influence on legislation or public opinion. Instead of Congress regaining trust in the President, the result of his speech should be greater distrust in the President’s recommendations and greater courage and energy in opposing him on specific issues.
Reagan’s pleas for confirmation of Judge Robert Bork to the Supreme Court, aid to the contras and a balanced budget amendment are all mistaken policies, based on inadequate consideration of the facts--the very weaknesses Reagan confessed in his address.
HARVEY SEIFERT
Claremont
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