The Politics of Blame

ONE OF THE MORE INTERESTING ASPECTS OF THE SECRET SALE OF ARMS TO IRAN IS THE IMPACT THE REVELATIONS HAD ON PRESIDENT REAGAN'S POPULARITY. IN ONE MONTH THE PERCENTAGE OF AMERICANS WHO APPROVED OF HIS JOB PERFORMANCE FELL BY 21 POINTS. FOR MOST OTHER PRESIDENTS IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS PLUMMET IN POPULARITY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SURPRISING. BUT REAGAN WAS NOT A TYPICAL PRESIDENT. FOR NEARLY SIX YEARS HE WAS LABELED THE "TEFLON PRESIDENT" BECAUSE NO FAILURE OR SCANDAL IN HIS ADMINISTRATION SEEMED TO STICK TO HIM PERSONALLY. THE TEFLON PRESIDENCY WAS NO ACCIDENT, HOWEVER. REAGAN'S PERSONALITY WAS A MAJOR ASSET IN DEFLECTING BLAME. BUT IT WAS BUTTRESSED BY A SERIES OF CAREFUL STRATEGIC CHOICES, INCLUDING A WILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE POLICY OBJECTIVES WHEN THE POLITICAL COSTS BECOME TOO HIGH.