Under Staging section (9)(c)(iii): (page 24):
"Each candidate and the moderator shall have wireless lapel microphone, and an identical
microphone to be used as a backup per industry standards."
The problem the lends credence to the earpiece theory is that I thought Bush kept looking down to read something, but maybe he was listening in an earpiece. Notes were forbidden during the debate but notes could be taken. (But then, illegally attacking another sovereign nation is forbidden, too, so what the heck?)
Under Rules Applicable to All Debates section (5)(c) (page 4):
"No props, notes, charts, diagrams, or other writings or other tangible things may be
brought into the debate by any candidate. Neither candidate may reference or cite any specific individual sitting in a debate audience at any time during a debate. If a
candidate references or cites any specific individual(s) in a debate audience, or if a candidate
uses a prop, note, or other writing or other tangible thing during a debate, the moderator must interrupt and explain that reference or citation to the specific individual(s) or the use of the prop, note, or other writing or thing violates the debate rules agreed to by that candidate."
Please point out where it says Bush can have an earpiece.
From: 2004 Memorandum of Understanding (Presidential Debates)
http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/2004MemorandumUnderstanding.pdf
Under Staging section (9)(c)(iii): (page 24):
"Each candidate and the moderator shall have wireless lapel microphone, and an identical
microphone to be used as a backup per industry standards."
The problem the lends credence to the earpiece theory is that I thought Bush kept looking down to read something, but maybe he was listening in an earpiece. Notes were forbidden during the debate but notes could be taken. (But then, illegally attacking another sovereign nation is forbidden, too, so what the heck?)
Under Rules Applicable to All Debates section (5)(c) (page 4):
"No props, notes, charts, diagrams, or other writings or other tangible things may be
brought into the debate by any candidate. Neither candidate may reference or cite any specific individual sitting in a debate audience at any time during a debate. If a
candidate references or cites any specific individual(s) in a debate audience, or if a candidate
uses a prop, note, or other writing or other tangible thing during a debate, the moderator must interrupt and explain that reference or citation to the specific individual(s) or the use of the prop, note, or other writing or thing violates the debate rules agreed to by that candidate."