This whole thing makes me uncomfortable, and here's why. In 1998 I advised a candidate who went into a televised statewide debate for Pennsylvania Governor. His major opposition was Tom Ridge - that one, the guy who became head of Homeland Security. Ridge had this enormous device behind his ear during the debate and we were certain he was getting advice from offstage. We said so publicly. Turned out he's almost deaf and has always worn this same hearing aid.

I never feared to attack the opposition hard for things that were real, but that mistake made me feel awful.

Ouch. Probably combat related hearing loss with Ridge as well? Not something you want to fool with. In Bushes case hearing loss would more likely be from passing out by a speaker at a frat party... not that I'd be familiar with scenarios like that.

Or maybe not. The mikes were podium-mounted.

FWIW, in important live audio scenarios there are often multiple mics ready to go, in case one fails.

Indeed, and, as per the debate agreement, there was a backup podium mike identical to the primary one.

But that doesn't mean they didn't put a reciever in it. :3_eyes:

Nah, George gets his messages thru the fillings in his teeth like everyone else. ;)

I am still amazed at the list of people who have come out against Bush. While Zel Miller, a seemingly crazed ex-Dixiecrat, endorsed Bush at the Republican convention, Kerry is getting support from the sons of Presidents Reagan and Eisenhower, not to mention numerous military, cabinet, and other officials from previous Democratic and Republican administrations.

From tonight ... rough paraphrase ... "looking at my opponent, you see that Ted Kennedy is the Conservative Senator from Massachussetts."

Not true of course, but the "Most Liberal" label has been thoroughly debunked elsewhere.

On the other hand, Bush didn't remember making this quote:

"Being lectured by the president on fiscal responsibility is a little bit like Tony Soprano talking to me about law and order," Kerry said, referring to the murderous mob boss in the U.S. television program "The Sopranos." :D

Well, Ronnie Jr. always did sort of tread a waaaayyyy different path from his dad, so that's not a big surprise.

Here's a transcript with in-line fact checks.

But Americans shouldn't be allowed to buy drugs from Canada until there are procedures in place to detect contaminated medicine from foreign sources.

OOOPS! I've never needed a filling. Maybe this is why I always get the feeling that Dubl-ya and Cheney are secretly knowing a lot of things I don't know. :D

Was that not the BEST line? LMAO! Sycamore and I just cracked up laughing. :thumbsup: :D ;)

GO KERRY!