(7) Assert that the ends justify the means.
Fiers believes that we should ignore the Iran-Contra scandal because "the Nicaraguan policy, including the support to the contras, was fully successful." But Violeta Chamorro's eventual democratic election to the presidency of Nicaragua does not justify illegal support for guerrilla revolutionaries.
(8) Finally, bless the American people and their short attention span.
After five years, no one really wants to hear about Iran-Contra anymore. They view special prosecutor Lawrence Walsh's ongoing investigation as a tedious waste of tax dollars.
Senators hearing testimony about Gates therefore lack a great deal of enthusiasm, because it is always more politically profitable for them to concentrate on issues that interest the voters.
SO, HERE'S THE FORMULA: portray the nominee as a great guy who didn't do anything wrong, didn't know anyone else did anything wrong and doesn't remember exactly what he knew or did.
Also show that what was done wasn't that reprehensible, things turned out well, and no one really cares anyway.
All of this should be easy for Gates and his supporters to accomplish. After all, it's exactly what Reagan and North did five years ago.