They thought Carter would trounce Reagan, IIRC.
- JP
U.S. News -- Historic Whispers: Ronald Reagan Had Little Chance of Winning the Primary
"White House political strategists have concluded—regretfully—that Ronald Reagan is fading and will have little chance of winning the Republican presidential nomination in 1980. Why the regrets? Because Carter's aides are convinced that the conservative, 68-year-old former California governor is an easy target. (April 2, 1979)"