Capitol Journal - Iran/Contra Secrets
Capitol Journal - Iran/Contra Secrets
(01:00:00) WETA logo, PBS funding credits (01:00:13) Capital Journal title screen and animation (01:00:32) Substitute Capital Journal host STEVE ROBERTS introduces show and co-host COKIE ROBERTS of National Public Radio, and guest panel members LINDA WORTHEIMER of National Public Radio and JOHN MASKEK (?) of US News and World Report (01:01:21) President RONALD REAGAN in a national address tries to dispel rumors that his administration circumvented the Congress in Iran/Contra dealings, Secretary of State GEORGE SCHULTZ on CBS News "Face the Nation" says his knowledge of White House administration's operations (assumed to be with the Contras) is fragmentary, return to Reagan's national address where he stresses that White House secret operations were federally legal, Senator PATRICK LEAHY on "This Week in Washington" says that President Reagan was very slow in notifying Congress about secret operations, two color photos of animated meetings at the White House at which Reagan, Schultz and Secretary of Defense CASPER WEINBERGER are among some of the people in attendance (01:03:00) Long shot of the Capital Building, Senator RICHARD LUGAR calls in order a meeting of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, quick shots of committee conducted confirmation hearings - George Schultz and Casper Weinberger testify before the committee (01:03:31) CIA Director WILLIAM CASEY (?) arrives at a building in a limosine - he gets out of the limo and walks toward the building followed by a security team - he is asked questions by the press as he enters the building, at a White House press conference Reagan introduces Admiral JOHN POINDEXTER as the new National Security Adviser, color photo of Poindexter meeting with Reagan, Weinberger and others in the White House (01:04:30) On an ABC News show former President JIMMY CARTER says the White House's failure to tell the truth has crippled the National Security Advisor post as it will now be subject to severe Congressional scrutiny, at a White House Press conference Reagan says he was within his rights when he with held Iran/Contra dealings information from Congress - as it was a matter of national security (01:05:35) Senator SAM NUNN criticizes the President for not having notified the Congress sooner of White House Iran/Contra operations (01:05:55) Back in studio the panel discusses what sort of new laws Congress will introduce as a result of their having gone uninformed by the President and his staff about the Iran dealings, how much this hurts Reagan in the public opinion and if it will subject him to attack by Congressional democrats (01:13:33) Shots of planes arriving at Washington D.C. airport where Capital Building visible in the background, Various shots of newly elected Senator BOB GRAHAM, Cokie Roberts interviews Graham walking through a park in Washington D.C. - Graham describes himself and other new Democratic congress people as pragmatic, at a Democrat victory celebration Senator-Elect BARBARA MIKULSKI describes the new democrats and says character was a central campaign issue, Senator-Elect BROCK ADAMS says young people vote Democrat as they are disillusioned by unmet Republican promises, Senator-Elect KURT CONRAD says it "time for a change" (01:16:51) In interview at Democrat victory party Senator Conrad tells Cokie Roberts how he feels the Democrats can avoid the label of the "taxing party", Senator TIMOTHY WIRTH says that the federal deficit and national trade deficit are fundamental problems that have to be addressed, return to Cokie Roberts interviewing Senator Bob Graham in a park across from the Capital Building - Graham stresses the need for the Democrats to act and implement new policy, he also stresses the need of working together to accomplish things as a party - in explaining this he compares Senators to basketball player Larry Bird (01:19:08) Back in studio panel discusses the direction of the new Senate majority Democrats, the effect of the deficit on the introduction of new policy, the growing centrist movement of Congress, and the shadow of the 1988 Presidential election on Congressional activities (01:26:25) Cokie Roberts thanks guests and closes out show, credits roll (01:27:30) PBS funding credits