Drudge catches Bush cheating during the debate by John in DC - 10/3/2004 04:22:21 PM Matt Drudge has been on a roll lately in terms of posting anti-Kerry attacks photos, documents, etc., that end up biting Bush in the ass. Drudge outdoes himself today with a post claiming Kerry came to the debate podium and allegedly takes a sheet of paper out of his breast pocket. The debate rules apparently say that you can bring NOTHING to the podium not even paper or pencil, and that all the materials will be placed for you on the podium. Oh, but only as Drudge can do, the video Drudge posts as "proof" on his site bites Bush in the ass. If you zoom the video to full screen (right click on it while it's running and click "zoom" and then "full screen") you can see Bush unfolding a piece of paper and laying it down on his podium! Remember the debate rules say all paper will already be on the podium, and unless the debate organizers folded the paper up in a wad before placing it on the podium, Bush is cheating with his own cheat sheet. Now, I could care less about this issue, but how dare Drudge and company try to come up with a scandal here when their own boy is caught doing exactly what they're accusing Kerry of doing? Check out the Drudge video and keep your eyes on Bush's hands - notice his unfolding and laying flat a piece of paper. Priceless. (I particularly like the cheesy 1970s p*rn music in the background of the video.) From another blogger just like Drudge. Sorry previous attempt to link was not done correctly. link
The key word here is that you can not "bring" your "own paper". You have to show Bush took the paper out of his own pocket to claim foul, (as the Kerry thread did). Unfolding a piece of paper on the podium itself doesn't constitute voilation of the debate rule. I have nothing against either candidate, and I haven't watched the video. I just want to urge some logic.
I looked at that about 5 times. It looked to me like he just moved the piece of paper on the podium that was already there (it's supposed to be a blank piece of paper for note taking approved by the debate people) and then took a pen out of his pocket. I bet the next debate has cameras pointed right at the podium.
I don't think he took a pen out of his pocket, but if he had, that would have been just against the rules as Kerry pulling something out of his pocket. All in all, I think it's a non-issue that's been blown out of proportion.
Are you serious? I suppose you would also say chewing gum and sticking it on the underside of the podium is also a non-issue?
I always thought open book tests made more sense anyway because out in the real world it's not really what knowledge you have in your head, it's the ability to research and appy relevant information that makes you a valuable. It's not like either one of the guys is a font of originality but just the face presented by their respective organizations.
