Search fails to turn up a Carter debate book

FBI agents who searched President Reagan's campaign files at a California library failed to find a copy of the full briefing book prepared for President Carter before the 1980 presidential debate, sources said.

The disclosure of the missing book heightened speculation that either the Reagan campaign never had the full briefing book - but only defense and national-security portions - or that it was removed, discarded, or destroyed before or after the controversy began.

Federal law-enforcement sources also said the FBI was considering asking the Justice Department for permission to administer polygraph tests to several former top Reagan campaign aides. No decision had been made.