Political Sabotage and Presidential Impunity: The Dark Side of American Politics.

A former Texas governor, John Connally, met with Middle Eastern leaders in 1980 to convince Iran to delay releasing American hostages as part of a Republican effort to sabotage Jimmy Carter's re-election campaign, according to a report. Connally was there to deliver a message: "Don't release the hostages before the election. Mr Reagan will win and give you a better deal." Carter lost the election amid criticism of his handling of the Iran crisis and a stagnating economy. The hostages were eventually released on 20 January 1981, the day Reagan took office.