CARTER'S BRIEFING PAPERS FOR 1980 DEBATE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-01070R000200750008-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 26, 2008
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: June 24, 1983
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Approved For Release 2008/06/26: CIA-RDP88-0107OR000200750008-8
RADIO TV REPORTS, INC.
PROGRAM CBS Morning News STATION WDVM-TV
CBS Network
DATE June 24, 1983 8:05 AM CITY Washington, DC
Carter's Briefing Papers for 1980 Debate
DIANE SAWYER: Let us return to October 28th, 1980,
the day of the Carter-Reagan debate.
Somehow the Reagan campaign had got ahold of some of
Carter's -- Mr. Carter's background material for the debate.
Reagan aides now admit that. But, as Bill Plante tells us, a
big question remains. How did they get it?
BILL PLANTE: The Carter-Reagan debate during the 1980
campaign, a lot at stake for both sides. But, according to a
new book, the Reagan staff had quite an advantage, President
Carter's briefing papers covering all the main points he
intended to make in the debate.
Author Lawrence Barrett says the papers were filched
by a Reagan mole in the Carter White House. Four Reagan aides
who ran the campaign and prepared him for the debate answered
questions about the episode in letters to Democratic Congress-
man Don Albasto.
David Stockman: It was apparent to me at the time
that they had in some way come from the Carter campaign. I
have no recollection of asking about or being informed as to
how.
James Baker: It is my best recollection that I was
given the book by William Casey. It is not uncommon for such
material to be given or sent for a variety of reasons by a host
of people.
But Casey has no recollection of a set of papers which
Material supplied by Radio N Reports, Inc. may be used for file and reference purposes only. It may not be reproduced, sold or publicly demonstrated or exhibited,
Approved For Release 2008/06/26: CIA-RDP88-0107OR000200750008-8
 Approved For Release 2008/06/26: CIA-RDP88-0107OR000200750008-8
laid out the Carter debate plan.
Former Carter staff members describe the letters as a
tremendous attack of amnesia, and claim that contrary to what
the Reagan people say, the papers were significant.
MAN: It's like having our game plan for the Super-
PLANTE: Top White House aides swear privately that no
one knows where the briefing papers came from. That element of
mystery means the controversy cannot be resolved until those
same people are willing to swear to it publicly.
Bill Plante, CBS News, the White House.
Approved For Release 2008/06/26: CIA-RDP88-0107OR000200750008-8