Pundits and commentators are mentioning that in 2000 Gore’s campaign received George W Bush’s debate book. They say Gore’s people called the FBI, turned it over to them, and never used the information. It’s a good story and fits some aspects of our current situation.
There is another story about another debate book from another campaign and it is somewhat surprising that it hasn’t gotten as much attention.
In 1980, the Reagan campaign got a copy of Carter’s debate book. Reagan and the Republicans did not call the FBI. They used it. In fact, George Will, the commentator and pundit, used the Carter book to help prep Reagan for the one and only Presidential debate of the 1980 election and went on to commentate and pundificate on that debate for ABC TV.
In 1968, Nixon almost certainly negotiated behind LBJ’s back with the North Vietnamese in order to win that election.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/31/opinion/sunday/nixons-vietnam-treachery.html
In the 1980 elections, there are suspicions that the Reagan campaign bribed the Iranians to keep the hostages until after the election, precluding an October surprise that would benefit Carter.
Why are we surprised that Trmp would work with Putin to be elected in 2016?