Many Republicans say, "As I recall, it was Congress that forced the Marines out of Lebanon." Ronald Reagan was the C-in-C in 1983. Do you know what that means? U.S. President Ronald Reagan called the attack a "despicable act" and pledged to keep a military force in Lebanon. (just blathering and bloviating?) Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, who had privately advised the administration against ever having stationed U.S. Marines in Lebanon, said there would be no change in U.S. Lebanon policy. Vice President George H. W. Bush toured the Marine bombing site on October 26 and said the U.S. "would not be cowed by terrorists." (the Republican administration WAS!)