DEBATE MYSTERY: DID KERRY HAVE CHEAT SHEET?

The "classified" cheat sheet revealed! Click to see his notes!

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 analysis of the Boston.Com feed shows Kerry pulling a mysterious item his jacket (14 seconds into video, after commerical). Kerry appears to unfold some sort of paper seconds later, at his podium.

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."

When pressed on the fact that even brandishing a pen from his jacket would have violated debate rules, the Kerry staffer laughed, adding, "See you at the inauguration, Drudge". Who got the last laugh there?! Pretty funny.

Special thanks to John Marden for sending me the actual note! (Pretty funny...)