Capitol Journal
Capitol Journal
01.10.53-RUDMAN says that NORTH'S representation of himself as carrying out White House policy doesn't mean that the policy originated in the White House. Discussion of other countries involved in the IRAN-CONTRA deals, Shields asks how it's possible that other countries could know all this and not the Congress or the public. BAKER and RUDMAN say they didn't know it was going on. BAKER says that sooner or later, given the number of people involved, the story will come to light. 01.13.01-Carter asks Rudman and Baker about the possibilities of the Select Committees and their investigations. BAKER says that Senators and Congressmen should stick to the high road, the selection of chairmen was prudent. Says there could be problems with the two different committees if the House and Senate fight each other for the glory and publicity. Discussion of the impact of the IRAN ARMS SALES on U.S. relations with moderate Middle Eastern states. RUDMAN says that selling Arms to Iran was a miserable idea, and whoever advised REAGAN to do it gave poor advice. Discussion of how far the investigation might lead-"facts", prosecutions, impeachment? RUDMAN says the institutions of Government are strong enough to withstand scandal, as Watergate proved, and the committees must investigate as fully as appropriate. 01.16.14-Shot of Senators RUDMAN and INOUYE at press conference to announce the Senate Select Committee to investigate IRAN-CONTRA. A reporter asks INOUYE about his Watergate experiences, INOUYE says he doesn't forsee a WATERGATE-type scandal, although it's possible. 01.16.41-Shields-intro guest journalists Steve Roberts and David Broder. Broder says that the allegations go to the heart of REAGAN'S strength, the public's view of his honesty and integrity. Roberts says REAGAN was already losing strength, as the last elections confirmed. Neither of the journalists suspected any of the actions of IRAN-CONTRA, Broder says it sounds like the premise of a novel, too incongruous with REAGAN'S public image. Roberts says that the diversion of funds to the CONTRAS is consistent with the latent ideology of ANTI-COMMUNISM and RED-BAITING in REAGAN. Discussion of whether the press has trumped up the whole issue. BRODER says that the press didn't start the story, they picked it up from the LEBANESE press and pursued it out of duty and trying to curb their excesses, as most commentary has been restrained. The volume of coverage is due to the fact that journalists don't yet know which story lines are the productive ones and which are red herrings. Roberts-"Post-Watergate" phenomenon that the press feels the need to get maximum coverage. 01.20.22-Asks if the IRAN-CONTRA story will inevitably lead to the conclusion that REAGAN was either GUILTY or INEXCUSABLY IGNORANT of the activities. Broder says that it's not clear what REAGAN knew or didn't know, whether he had a vague idea of the operation or no idea at all. Roberts says that even if innocently ignorant, REAGAN should have known what was going on, it's even worse than REAGAN'S general disregard for knowing the specifics of policy. Broder says that even so, ignorance on REAGAN'S part is less politically damaging than willful deception. Discussion of how IRAN-CONTRA will impact REAGAN'S reputation, Roberts says that it's feeding into REAGAN'S reputation for being a bit SENILE [Reagan senile??? No!!!]. Discussion of how Congress will approach the investigation. Broder says that it's not clear how bipartisanship and moderation will hold up between the House and Senate committees, but the membership of the committees is slanted toward the Conservative side. Roberts says that the Republicans will be divided over who tries to protect REAGAN and who wants to investigate him vigorously. Discussion of when the committees will conclude their business. It's not clear. 01.24.45-Shields signs off, with speech about the nature of politics as the resolution of conflicts, hope that IRAN CONTRA will be resolved by reason and not by money, influence, or grandstanding rhetoric. Carter signs off, this is the final program for Capitol Journal, gives shouts out to tha staff. 01.26.51-closing credits/WETA credit/funding credits/PBS ID 01.27.48--OUT