Shady deals derailed Carter's attempts to free hostages
Let's not forget that Pres. Carter's attempts to to free the hostages were largely undermind by the efforts of others who were making deals with the Ayatollah to ensure that there was no "October Surprise."
It's hard to be successful when your own people are working against you.
But the "conventional wisdom" which says that Carter was an ineffective president conveniently ignores these underhanded tactics used against him to delay the hostage release, and so forever taint the Carter presidency.
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