Reagan’s Dealings Show Lack of Trust in Americans--Byrd
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Senate Majority Leader-designate Robert C. Byrd told Democrats today that President Reagan’s secret dealings with Iran reflect a lack of trust in the American public that is destroying Reagan’s credibility.
Byrd spoke at the closing session of the first meeting of the Democratic Leadership Council, a centrist party group, and said the 100th Congress intends to get to the bottom of the latest Iranian crisis.
“We are not going to be content with half-truths or anything but the whole truth,†House Speaker-designate Jim Wright of Texas, who also addressed the group, said.
Byrd said the Iranian flap is another in a string of failures that calls into question the nation’s leadership and future position in world politics.
“We had a secret policy we knew nothing about for 10 months and that policy was signed by the President of the United States,†Byrd said.
“The President’s current problem is a testimony to that profound truth that if you do not trust the American people, they will not trust you either,†he added.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
