Did Kerry Break Debate Rules?

The US election campaign is entering a crucial stage with both presidential and vice-presidential candidates appearing in televised debates. President George Bush and his Democratic challenger John Kerry held their first debate on Thursday.

The first nationwide opinion poll since then suggests that Senator Kerry might have significantly improved his standing. John Kerry is now the acknowledged winner of the first presidential debate, which was watched by more than 60m Americans.

But here's something you may not have noticed. Just as Kerry is approaching the stage he takes something out of his jacket and goes on to place it on the podium. What was it? We can't say for sure but he then appears to be unfolding a paper seconds later.

The New York Post reports that their review of a Fox News Channel feed from Thursday's debate showed what Kerry pulled out was "a black pen".

Does it matter what it was? No. Is this against the rules? Yes. The rules clearly state that "No props, notes, charts, diagrams or other writings or other tangible things may be brought into the debate by any candidate".

See a quicktime video showing the exact sequence of events by clicking here.

Don't know what QuickTime is? Get it here.

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