Are We in for a Shocking October Surprise Like Those of
Elections Past? Stay up to date with the latest headlines via
email. This article has been adapted from America's Stolen
Narrative, Robert Parry's newest book.The phrase “October
Surprise” is now part of the American political lexicon,
referring to some last-minute event that might change the course
of a U.S. presidential election. But the two prototypical
“October Surprise” cases, in 1968 and 1980, have never earned a
place in mainstream American history. The October Surprise
allegations of 1968 and 1980 also were something of a misnomer
since they centered on Republican efforts to block an October
Surprise by sabotaging game-changing diplomatic successes by
incumbent Democratic presidents. In 1968, it was Lyndon Johnson
achieving a breakthrough in the Vietnam War peace talks. In
1980, it was Jimmy Carter securing the release of 52 American
hostages held in Iran. Recent disclosures from the National
Archives as well as statements from participants have