Drudge: DEBATE MYSTERY: DID KERRY HAVE CHEAT SHEET?

Drudge ^ | October 3, 2004 | Video

[stockpirate]

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX SUN OCT 03, 2004 14:05:38 ET XXXXX

DEBATE MYSTERY: DID KERRY HAVE CHEAT SHEET?

Section 5, pages 4-5 of the binding "Memorandum of Understanding" that was negotiated and agreed upon by both political campaigns states:

"No props, notes, charts, diagrams, or other writings or other tangible things may be brought into the debate by either candidate.... Each candidate must submit to the staff of the Commission prior to the debate all such paper and any pens or pencils with which a candidate may wish to take notes during the debate, and the staff or commission will place such paper, pens and pencils on the podium..."

So what did Dem presidential contender John Kerry take out of his jacket as he approached the stage [with his back to the auditorium's audience]?

What did Kerry place on the podium?

Video replays of the Kerry maneuver played all weekend long on the internet.

[A tight zoom of the Boston.Com feed shows Kerry pulling a mysterious "card" from his jacket. 14 seconds into video, after commerical]

A top Kerry campaign source explained to the DRUDGE REPORT late Sunday how Bush supporters were once again trying to distract.

"Kerry did not cheat," said the Kerry insider. "This is more lies from Republicans, who are hoping for a quick change of subject away from the president's performance, and the new polls."

Developing...

[charwel]

I've watched over and over as well. Another point here--Jim is looking straight at Kerry when he pulls the paper OUT, and he lets it go? Did you notice at the end of the debate when Bush when to opposite side of podium, Lehrer goes up to Kerry and says something to him as he is passing by, very clearly! Doesn't that seem odd to anyone? He didn't "chat" with Bush.

[Flamenco Lady]

I sent the link of the video and a quick note to Brit Hume of Fox's Special Report, suggesting that they review all of Fox's video footage on this. Since Fox did all the taping, they may have better footage that we haven't seen.

While most of the hard line left wingers won't care about cheating, I would be willing to bet that most of America won't look kindly on Kerry for cheating. Enough to erase any bounce he might have received from the debates, at any rate.

[PureSolace]

If one watches the video full screen and at a single frame at a time, one can clearly see that Kerry takes out a rectangular shaped item from his pocket, lays it out onto the left side (his left) of the podium with his left hand, then, with his right hand, lifts a pen which was already in place on the right side of the podium. The President, without ever reaching to remove something from his person, simply walks to the podium and lifts the pen already in place on the right side of the podium.

Kerry, without question, took something out of his pocket other than a pen.

I also like how Kerry immediatly starts writing something on his papers.

[Nataku X]

You're right... go Team Bush for having Fox do the video feed!!

[LuigiBasco]

Nah. He knew the Media would cover for him!

[mikrofon]

Lehrer: "John, are those crib notes in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"

[DietCoke]

Notice that the usually friendly Bush did NOT shake Lehrer's hand afterward.

actually, Pres. Bush did shake Lehrer's hand. someone brought that up the other day.

[areafiftyone]

Great! I hope they pick up on this.

[JessieHelmsJr]

Read on another site that Bush had a earpiece in his ear.

[stockpirate]

There were reports that Lehrer "winked" at Kerry when he shook his hand at the end.

[daybreakcoming]

If you noticed, Pres Bush was taking notes as Kerry was speaking. Of course, he looked down at them.

[KavMan]

Yes, a 4" x 6" rectangular white pen.

Given, the quality on the video Drudge linked to isn't very good. Try this video link, and zoom to Full Screen. You will see very clearly that it is NOT a pen.

http://www.boston.com/news/special/politics/debate_video/sept29/1.html

---

from this link that was posted
if you do a fullscreen it is clearly a paper that he takes out, then he's fumbling with with trying to unfold it then lifts if up a bit and you can see it's some type of paper

[Soul Seeker]

Yes, it would explain quite a bit of what happened Thursday night.

FOX, you had better be checking your footage!

[SE Mom]

"Read on another site that Bush had a earpiece in his ear."

On another site? Uhmmm..errr...was it DU?? (just a wild guess since I don't have any crib sheets)

[Steven W.]

also note that when Kerry looked at his cheat sheet during the debate, his eyes were always shifty, I noted he looked almost Nixon-esque at times, right after the debate, but the media only focused on the side-by-sides when Bush was aghast at Kerry's lies & Moore-onics. Look at the pictures of Kerry when he looked at his cheat sheet & how guilty he looked right after, looking shiftily side to side to see if anybody had noticed or caught him.

[madison10]

President Bush couldn't bring the notes WITH him, but certainly he could look at what he wrote on the paper he was given, otherwise what was the point of being allowed the paper & pen?

[drpix]

It doesn't really matter what is was. Here are the rules:

" 5. Rules Applicable to All Debates
…..
…..
(c) No props, notes, charts, diagrams, or other writings or other tangible things may be
brought into the debate by any candidate.
…

(d) Notwithstanding subparagraph 5 (c), the candidates may take notes during the debate
on the size, color and type of paper each prefers and using the type of pen or pencil that
each prefers. Each candidate must submit to the staff of the Commission prior to the debate
all such paper and any pens or pencils with which a candidate may wish to take notes during
the debate, and the staff of the Commission will place such paper, pens and pencils on the
podium, table or other structure to be used by the candidates during the debate. "

So...all permitted items should have be given to the staff AND the staff should have placed those on the podium. Anything coming out of his pockets was not permitted.

I only wonder who coached Lurch? Was it The Swimmer (who was kicked out of Harvard for cheating)? Or was it Sandy "The Burglar" (who was caught stuffing top secret documents in his underwear)?

[jennyjenny]

Yes, I see it now. Clearly paper and not pen.

[JB_90]

I think Lehrer was Albert Thomas in his former life...

[John Robertson]

I don't disagree with your characterization, which has quite a lot of zazz and passion in it.

But overall it's this: It takes JK's "gains" and "momentum" off the table at once, and even reverses his previous standings in polls and perceptions. He will have to defend it. If he cheated, it's over. If he cheated, and people believe it, Bush by 8 pts or more.