For #2 it wasn’t so much the negative image as ridicule (ref: Alinsky) that SDI was science fiction pap.
George Lucas, big Liberal but also way too bought into his own work, HATED the “Star Wars” moniker.
The problem with SDI was that it was oversold given technical limitations of the time. And a lot of it still isn’t viable with today’s technology.
Then again, the main goal (IMHO) wasn’t to produce a working system but to throw enough money at it to convince the Soviets we were onto somthing, forcing them to spend themselves into bankruptcy and economic collapse trying to counter it.
Which was brilliant on Reagan’s part. As well as successful.
Jastrow wrote very convincingly in favor of SDI, addressing arguments. Against the argument that the system would be no more than 80% effective, the counter was that the enemy would have no way of knowing WHICH 80%. Also, SDI folks pointed out that this could be VERY effective against a rogue state with just a handful of missiles to launch.