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The politics of presidential illness: Ronald Reagan and the Iran-Contra Scandal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 January 2016

Robert E. Gilbert
Robert E. Gilbert*
Affiliation:
Department of Political Science Northeastern University Boston, MA 02115 r.gilbert@neu.edu
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Abstract

This paper assesses the likelihood that the Iran-Contra scandal was shaped heavily by the effects of Ronald Reagan's cancer surgery in summer, 1985. During the President's hospitalization and in the period soon after, he took several actions—which he apparently did not remember—that launched a policy that was unwise, counterproductive, and a failure. These damaged both his Administration and his standing in history. The 25th Amendment afforded Reagan the means by which his involvement in these events could easily have been avoided. However, the President and his aides determined that he would resume the powers and duties of the presidency only hours after undergoing extensive cancer surgery. This decision contributed materially to the most damaging episode of Reagan's eight-year presidency.

Keywords

Ronald Reagancolon cancer25th AmendmentsurgerystressanesthesiaIran-Contra scandal
Type
Research Articles
Information
Politics and the Life Sciences , Volume 33 , Issue 2 , Fall 2014 , pp. 58 - 76
Copyright
Copyright © Association for Politics and the Life Sciences 

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