Commentary
The phrase “October Surprise” refers to an unanticipated event prior to U.S. national elections that may affect the election’s outcome.
For example, in 1980, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan faced this issue.
1980: Carter Versus Reagan
William Casey, Reagan’s campaign manager and former director of the CIA, first used the term “October Surprise” to describe the possibility that the Iran government would release the U.S. hostages held in Iran since the storming of the U.S. Embassy on Nov. 4, 1979, during anti-American protests in Tehran—thereby increasing Carter’s popularity just before the election.
Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini despised the devout Christian president and opposed helping to reelect Carter by releasing hostages before the national election….