2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumDid Romney bring cheat notes into the debate?
My sister called and pointed this out.
She tells me the debaters are provided with paper and a pen.
You can see the paper on each of the debaters podiums at the start of the video.
They're not supposed to bring notes into the debate.
It happens in the first 11 second of the video linked below
Watch Romney's right hand.
What's up with that?
I tried to check the rules to link them and couldn't find them on the site (they're probably there somewhere). Here's the link to the debates site:
http://www.debates.org/
Thoughts?
fleur-de-lisa
(14,674 posts)I bet he wasn't counting on there being cameras at the rear of the stage to catch him pulling his cheat sheet out of his pocket! What a piece of sMitt!
Life Long Dem
(8,582 posts)at the rear when he sneaked his notes out.
bushisanidiot
(8,064 posts)not surprised!
Coyotl
(15,262 posts)Save Big Bird!
MgtPA
(1,022 posts)KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)Can't find it.
MgtPA
(1,022 posts)I remember watching it live when it happened. I haven't gone looking for it on the CSpan video yet.
C_U_L8R
(45,733 posts)Can't imagine he'd be dumb enough to cheat with all the cameras on him.
But narcissists kind of roll that way.
pnwest
(3,296 posts)underthematrix
(5,811 posts)I'm sorry this video made me laugh because sometimes, I know it's not nice but I laugh at crazy people.
valerief
(53,235 posts)MatthewStLouis
(912 posts)I say: wow! How could it be a handkerchief. I'd only pull that out when I needed it and then put it back in my pocket.
I suppose this is how spoiled rich kids get by in school as well as life. BY CHEATING.
FUCKING CHEATING!
hexola
(4,835 posts)He cheats...
needs to go to Rachael or Lawrence.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Jennicut
(25,415 posts)Looks like folded up paper, not a hankerchief. But I could be wrong.
Not going to be surprised if Romney cheated.
nc4bo
(17,651 posts)What a weasel.
nc4bo
(17,651 posts)some such.
Then said oh he didn't need it - well yea he did. He wiped his upper lip with it.
How soon M$M forgets what's on the tape.
Journalism FAIL proudly on display.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)It looks like he is unfolding it here in the beginning. But look at the end of this tape, he is messing with it again but looks like he kind of hides it.
Earlier this am, hubby told me that he saw at the very end, Rmoney going to the podium, getting a paper and then seemed to not know what the hell to do with it. Started to put it in his pocket a couple of times, but decided not to. Eventually gave it to his son, who quickly put it in his pocket. Hubby says he was nervous as hell. This was before he knew of this post.
We need to find the tape that has the entire ending on it, after the Obama's leave.
nc4bo
(17,651 posts)We already know what he's capable of and what he's willing to do.
Why would you hand a used hankie to your son?
We need some high definition, enlarged photos that's what we really need.
Thanks for dropping even more info on this!
bushisanidiot
(8,064 posts)I want to see video of the ending, which now looks to be more damning than seeing him put the cheat sheet on the podium.
bushisanidiot
(8,064 posts)nc4bo
(17,651 posts)And, what's up with the hot potato treatment of those papers?
Not Cool Mittie.
hamsterjill
(15,518 posts)See my earlier post below about men and handkerchiefs in pants pockets.
At the point near the end of the video, when Romney goes back and picks up the papers off of the podium, you see him TWICE try to put the papers in his suit jacket almost instinctively, before he finally hands them off to his son (I guess that's who it is).
My guess is that these papers cannot go into his suit pocket because that's where the now used handkerchief already is - - -where most men would normally keep a handkerchief.
But at the beginning of the video, he takes something out of his trouser pocket. If that's where he routinely keeps a handkerchief (i.e., his trouser pocket) wouldn't he put it back in the same place?
So IF the handkerchief is what is keeping him from putting the papers into his suit pocket, I think this is more damning evidence that what he took out of his pants pocket at the beginning of the video was not the handkerchief.
Sorry...this sounds like a "who's on first" thing. But am I making any sense?
nc4bo
(17,651 posts)The man has no problem lying just for the sake of lying. Lyin' for the Lord....pathological liar WHAT...EVER. Romney doing something like this hide-in-plain sight thing is so totally not out of the question. For someone like Mitt, it makes absolutely perfect sense.
I just want to know. Did he? Didn't he?
gkhouston
(21,642 posts)that out. I haven't watched the clip, so I have no opinion on whether or not he brought notes; I'm just saying that he might have written shit down that he didn't want circulated, which is still bad.
nc4bo
(17,651 posts)Not the way he was holding that grin most of the night.
Good explanation.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)Look at the video. The paper is folded. The paper he was given to write notes on would be blank and unfolded.
He spent his time reading, not writing.
The paper looks like it might even be a typed print on it
and he obviously is hiding it both in getting it out there to use and in getting it gone in the end.
He folds it into what is probably his given sheet before attempting to put it in his pocket.
Those are not notes he took during the debates. Those are his cheat sheets.
nc4bo
(17,651 posts)I am doing my best to be objective, attempting to accept any and all logical explanations before kneejerking like I'm prone to do.
My mind is screaming FOUL through all the explanations.
I'm trying hard here!!
We may still be proven wrong, but I'm thinking not.
underthematrix
(5,811 posts)we all know what he was writing on that piece of paper and ummm . . . that would kill any chances he has of ever holding public office. Probably should seek counsel from rick opps! perry
TheDonkey
(8,911 posts)Come on now. Once you watch it I think you will be surprised. I was thinking this was too bizarre to be true but you cannot possibly know if you don't even look for yourself.
gkhouston
(21,642 posts)and that I think he carried away something stiff, like folded paper. The most recently posted slo-mo videos make it clear (to me, at least) that he also brought those papers with him. I guess when you change 95% of your positions at the last minute, it's hard to remember the details of which position you're supporting at the moment.
Samantha
(9,314 posts)Last edited Fri Oct 5, 2012, 05:54 PM - Edit history (2)
Mitt Romney tried to put them into the inside pocket of his suit. When he could not make them fit, he did hand them to his son, who did not even look down to see what it was, it appeared the son didn't have to look because he knew, he kept his gaze where it had been before his hand accepted the papers, and he quickly slid them into his inside pocket. His eyes never even glanced down briefly to see what he was putting into the inside pocket of his suit. That indicates he knew he was holding a hot potato and could not get it out of sight quickly enough.
It seems cut and dry to me. Also explains why Mitt talked so fast.
Sam
polly7
(20,582 posts)Watch all of their faces ..... they did know, and he WAS trying to use Lehrer for cover. Watch Ann Romney's face as he's trying to keep Lehrer there and put the papers away .... she's staring at the papers like they're kryptonite.
gkhouston
(21,642 posts)The shuffling at the end before he comes out to shake the President's hand would have given him enough time to cover pre-written notes with anything he'd written during the debate, or even with blank paper. So what's the rush? I don't see anyone making their way to his podium. He could have waited or sent one of his sons to collect his papers. It's like he wanted to have the papers still visible when talking to Lehrer, so he could get a charge out of putting one over on them.
polly7
(20,582 posts)folded and hidden on his person, so he rushed out from behind the podium before Obama got there to him. And then, knew he had to get back to them before the debate aides, or whoever, came to pick them up. But yes, that's strange that he did seem to not care if Lehrer saw them when he'd been trying to stash them before. Maybe he had time to stash the cheats and fold up the paper that was provided, as cover ... I bet you're right.
(Of course, we both, all be wrong ... but I don't think so!)
Response to polly7 (Reply #243)
Post removed
polly7
(20,582 posts)If a man cheats and lies, do you trust him for anything at all?
SUN SEP 23, 2012 AT 07:40 AM PDT
Craig Romney: My Dad Cheats & "That's What We Need in the White House."
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/23/1135444/-Craig-Romney-My-Dad-Cheats-That-s-What-We-Need-in-the-White-House
In January 2012, Mitt and Craig Romney did a small rally in Plymouth, Iowa. At that rally, Mitt Romney admitted he tripped his daughter-in-law, who had just given birth, in order to win a family race.
CRAIG ROMNEY: ...And it was down to my wife and my dad over here.
ROMNEY: I tripped her.
CRAIG ROMNEY: And it was kind of in the home stretch in the run there. And she had a slight lead on him. And he said that in that moment, he decided he was going to win that race or he was going to die trying. And you see this fight to the finish, and he went for this -- he gave it everything he had. He gave it a good kick and he beat her in the end. And he did almost die trying, by the way.
He passed out in a lawn chair and we didn't see him the rest of the day. He barely made lot of life. But it's that type of hard work, it's that type of determination, I think, that we need in the White House.
The Atlantic Wire , January 31, 2012
Obviously, cheating is something that's not new to him.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)The cheat sheet is folded into the other sheet.
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/clip/4006759
alvitar
(1 post)Has anyone noticed how stiff he is, both at the beginning just before he drops his cheat sheet on the podium, and at the end when he goes back to fetch it? He seems rather nervous to me. I can understand being nervous at the beginning, but why at the end?
Why Syzygy
(18,928 posts)as he faces the audience right after throwing his cheat notes on the podium SHOWS that he thinks he just got away with something.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)to watch him more closely. There may be other signs.
DearHeart
(692 posts)but take a look at Romney's pants. When both he and Obama are waving to the audience, Romney first raises his left hand and his suit coat raises with his arm going up...there are no creases on the left side of his pants. When he raises his right arm, and the suit coat raises up, you can see at least 2 fairly big wrinkles on the right side where his pocket might be strained a little due to having a small, square notepad of paper in it.
Watch it on You Tube and full screen...it could also be, I don't know, breath mints??
ESDU
(4 posts)I noticed it too, but thought it would seem desperate to post it. Glad you did.
DearHeart
(692 posts)just seems strange to me. I don't know how anyone can sit and have creases only on one side of their pants.
Guess I am desperate...don't want Romney or his minions to get anywhere near the White House.
bushisanidiot
(8,064 posts)Last edited Thu Oct 4, 2012, 05:14 PM - Edit history (1)
and tried to give romney the benefit of the doubt.
however, since there is ample video evidence that it was clearly a piece of paper, i would guess more will be made out of this story as more people start asking what was on the piece of paper.
MgtPA
(1,022 posts)polly7
(20,582 posts)Once a cheater ....
Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)Frankenstein looking freak probably has cochlear implants, and was having his buddies give him his talking points the entire time.
Really, for all the bullshit the right gives President Obama about using teleprompters, Mittens used a debating style he's never used before, and spoke in ways that is not normal to his pontificating character.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if he had a secret team feeding him each and every line.
hexola
(4,835 posts)Right?
That new thinner Iphone 5 would make a great crib source...
hexola
(4,835 posts)nc4bo
(17,651 posts)hexola
(4,835 posts)When did he break that out and where did it come from?
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)not clear to see but not the notes he was taking. In fact, Mitt does not appear to be writing anything, but reading , throughout the debate.
In addition, when you enlarge this photo, you can see the hankie corner that he probably hid it in.
Now to find that tape of what he did with it after the Obama's left the stage.
See this paper is prefolded. If it were a paper he had been given to take notes on, it would not have already been folded.
hexola
(4,835 posts)Not enough resolution to say...but this isolated it a bit..
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)Not like a sheet that he was given to take notes on would be.
bushisanidiot
(8,064 posts)it was a cheat sheet.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)I did not see him bring in a computer or printer, so I am thinking it might be a cheat sheet.
cleduc
(653 posts)I see three white things:
1. the paper Romney was given to make notes
2. let's for now call it "the handkerchief" to the right of the paper (that may have something written on it)
3. Above the paper, towards the microphone, it looks like a white corner of something. I doubt that's a base for the goose neck microphone because they're usually screwed down to minimize vibration issues and to help the goose neck function from a sturdy base. Maybe it's a piece of his official note paper discarded and pushed up.
Hard to tell for sure but to me, worthy of a closer look if we can find a better view.
gkhouston
(21,642 posts)Yeah, perhaps the still photo is of a handkerchief, but watch the clip elsewhere at the end of this thread from after the debate. Romney tries folding something white about the size of a legal envelope and then stuffing it into an inner breast pocket. He gives up and hands it off to one of his sons. Look how stiff the white thing is. No one would wipe their nose with something that stiff, not even if you bought your hankies for cheap at Walmart.
on edit: I'd like to see detailed video from when Romney wiped his upper lip during the debate. Where'd the hanky come from and where did it go?
polly7
(20,582 posts)And how Ann was looking at ... whatever it was, when Mitt was shaking hands? Something was strange, there.
bushisanidiot
(8,064 posts)And the very creepy stare the son had toward his mom when he slid the paper into his coat pocket made me think Ann and the sons knew exactly what that paper was.
Maine-ah
(9,902 posts)a small ringed notebook could have fit in his pocket quite easily and resemble note cards - and that's what it looked like he was pulling out of his pocket in the beginning as well.
cleduc
(653 posts)I did mention, in fairness so I wouldn't lead them astray, the possibility of it being a handkerchief. You don't want them hopping on something like this if it could turn out to be something easily proved wrong and then embarrasses the campaign - doing more damage to their cause.
The truth on this is what matters. Too bad Romney never applies that to the things he tells the American people. I was upset and appalled by all his dishonesty in that debate last night - even though I've been aware for some time that's his modus operandi.
Once again, I'm also disappointed in the media for that and have been for years. It's a pretty simple concept - the media should arbitrate for the truth. For example, Andrea Mitchell's fact checking said that 54+ seniors would lose nothing under Romney's Medicare - ignoring the $600 in drugs, annual wellness checkup, pre-screening for cancer, heart disease, etc and some therapy for chronic conditions like diabetes.
I have the utmost confidence that if the American people are provided with accurate facts and the truth, they'll make the right decision 100% of the time. I can cut any candidate a little slack for putting the best face on something with some spin but Romney constantly crosses that line and did again last night and the President does not.
I have looked very closely at these issues for this. In my opinion, Romney lied frequently to the American people last night but the media overlooks that and rewards him with a big win. There's something terribly, terribly wrong with that. America deserves better.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)This needs to go far and wide. Let others decide what it is too.
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)But hey, if MSNBC says it was a hanky, I'll go with them.
JohnnyBoots
(2,969 posts)debate handshake and family meet and greet. C-Span has the film and I think I still have it on the DVR...
Is this written in the rules of the debate to not have any outside notes? If so Mitt needs to answer for this or at least provide an explanation. W was wired for a debate and the media did nothing so I doubt this becomes an issue or is addressed. Same old, same old sadly enough.
bushisanidiot
(8,064 posts)post it if you can!
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)MatthewStLouis
(912 posts)Here's a click-able link:
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/clip/4006759
hexola
(4,835 posts)That lends credence to the hanky theory, unfortunately.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)Did you watch? Not a hanky.
Faux pas
(15,395 posts)never saw it.
tarheelsunc
(2,117 posts)He obviously did not want anyone involved with organizing the stage to see that and he was so desperate to hide it away. To keep from having to deal with it personally, he just handed it to one of his sons.
joshcryer
(62,506 posts)The sheet should've been simply pick-up-able, no need to stand there folding and messing around.
newuser9
(1 post)TalkingDog
(9,001 posts)Why don't you do that CSI thing and suppress all the chatter so we can hear what he really says?
Or maybe you can get an expert lip reader to give it a once over.
CoffeeCat
(24,411 posts)...Ann looks at the papers--and does a double take.
She realizes what she's seeing--typed words.
Then, she says something that looks like---"We've got to get off the stage."
Then, she says something to her other son about...needing to go now.
She sees what Mitt just brought over.
She looks panicked.
mwblueyarn
(7 posts)Yup, she clearly looks alarmed and says something about "off the stage."
What a bunch.
anneboleyn
(5,611 posts)2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)yet again. They have looked at only the beginning where he takes it out, and since he did use a hankie at one time during the debate, it must be a hankie, to hell with those pictures of a folded, written on, piece of paper.
No one in the media, not even the left ,looked at the whole thing. They just brushed it aside as a hankie and now all are scrubbing their sites of any info except that it was a hankie.
Baghdad Bob news media. Even the left played Baghdad Bob's on this one.
I wish we had real media.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)hexola
(4,835 posts)www.c-span.org/pdf/memounderstanding.pdf
"No props, charts, diagrams or other writings, or tangible things may be brought into the debate"
hexola
(4,835 posts)www.c-span.org/pdf/memounderstanding.pdf
nc4bo
(17,651 posts)**My personal promise remains in effect; to retain objectivity - no knee jerk reactions**
hamsterjill
(15,518 posts)Seriously...something to consider. And I'm not sure that this is NOT a handkerchief that Romney takes out. But from his pants pocket? Most men that I know, when wearing a suit jacket,would have the handkerchief in the jacket pocket.
Am I wrong????? I am (seriously) just asking...
bushisanidiot
(8,064 posts)i think they would keep such notes in their pants pocket if they are afraid of someone getting their hands on them.
gkhouston
(21,642 posts)They either use the inside breast pocket or the outside pocket next to their dominant hand.
louis-t
(23,743 posts)Even while wearing a suit. That's where my father kept his, too.
Petrushka
(3,709 posts)Handkerchief in left-rear pocket, wallet in right-rear pocket, keys in right-front pocket, loose change in left-front pocket.
pacopete
(1 post)Check the end of the debate (after the families go onto the stage). You will clearly see Romney return to his lecturn to retrieve some typed notes. He tries to place them in his coat pocket, but cannot. He then passes the notes to his son who places them in his coat pocket.
renate
(13,776 posts)tarheelsunc
(2,117 posts)It wouldn't surprise me at all if Romney was being fed answers in a wireless device, so Obama should come in with a signal jammer, that would take care of that if it is an issue.
And that was definitely a piece of paper. Why would he keep his handkerchief on the podium on top of the provided notepad? If it was a handkerchief, he wouldn't have been so discreet in removing it from his pocket, which he only did when he was fully behind the podium. He was trying to be sneaky and got caught by the back camera.
Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)That was more than just being "prepared" and "well coached".
His responses definitely looked like they were being given to him live. Watch any primary debate with him against Newt, RP, Santorum and the others. His gestures are different. The way he transitions between his sentences. All very different.
Politicalboi
(15,189 posts)So everyone knows, and it hurts Rmoney's ears.
GoddessOfGuinness
(46,437 posts)wouldn't that interfere with all the radio and TV apparatus?
we can do it
(12,786 posts)TalkingDog
(9,001 posts)Which, frankly, could be used if there was mucus in the cloth, to ascertain drugs in the system
Not as good as blood or sweat, but ....
Digit
(6,163 posts)At least not human....
verdin2
(5 posts)MgtPA
(1,022 posts)2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)lets get this out there. Let others help decide.
stranger81
(2,345 posts)Everyone who visits the site today should see this OP.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)Last edited Thu Oct 4, 2012, 05:01 PM - Edit history (1)
I agree it needs exposure. I went ahead and posted a new post to general with a link to this thread.
whistler162
(11,155 posts)nc4bo
(17,651 posts)bushisanidiot
(8,064 posts)and notice how Ann can't seem to take her eyes off of the piece of paper until she realizes leher is right there then she pretends be interested in him. also notice how ann says "we need to get off the stage". it's very easy to read her lips.
nc4bo
(17,651 posts)mind if the clip was stored elsewhere.
You just never know if some server will fail and something gets "disappeared", you know?!
bushisanidiot
(8,064 posts)but what i think would be great, if someone could do it is this:
clip the beginning where the candidates shake hands slow motion the video to where mitt takes out his cheat sheet
then, at regular speed add the clip where he gets his cheat sheet from the podium after he finishes talking to the obamas.
in slow motion, show him walking back to his family and folding the paper up.
regular speed until leher leaves the stage.
slow motion while romney fumbles with cheat sheet and both of his sons try to take it from him.
lillypaddle
(9,605 posts)He sure did, that fucking cheater! We need to get this word out.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)I forget exactly when, but he responded to something Obama said quickly -- too quickly.
Bill USA
(6,436 posts)don't most people pull a hankerchief out of their breast-pocket when needed? Would you toss a hankerchief onto the lecturn at beginning of debate just in case you needed it later??
mnhtnbb
(32,106 posts)bushisanidiot
(8,064 posts)at 0:09:47 from the original poster's video. i'm sure there are more screen shots to be made, but this is the first good view.
[IMG][/IMG]
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)polly7
(20,582 posts)[IMG][/IMG]
bushisanidiot
(8,064 posts)i havent looked at the whole video. i stopped at this point and got the screen shot..i will look more tomorrow..im sure those pieces of paper are more visible in other shots.
Hutzpa
(11,461 posts)now this is much more convincing, there is definitely something there.
Is an iphone partially covered by a sheet of paper, you can see light reflecting off the screen.
Tx4obama
(36,974 posts)arcane1
(38,613 posts):kick:
ananda
(30,890 posts)He sure did cheat.
elleng
(136,626 posts)unless it was a handkerchief, which more likely would have been in an upper jacket pocket.
NRaleighLiberal
(60,551 posts)Hamlette
(15,540 posts)I think its an old fashioned guy thing. My dad always had one, I remember my mom ironing (how quaint). Don't see them much anymore except at funerals.
Tx4obama
(36,974 posts)When he wiped his upper lip he used a folded up hanky.
And the hanky wipe might have been just a ploy in case someone said something about the cheat sheet he tossed onto the podium.
Dan
(4,129 posts)liars never need to bring cheat sheets.... good liars can lie on the fly... while an honest man is trying to come to terms with the first lie, the liar has already got another lie ready to cover the initial lie...
Harsh as it seems, you must confront the liar or not deal with him/her...
MrSlayer
(22,143 posts)I noticed this last night when I watched the replay on MSNBC. You can't really see it in the video provided but I saw it last night.
trayfoot
(1,568 posts)Mention was made of that by the commentators after the debate.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)A hankie was involved but it was only to transport the cheat, I do believe.
gkhouston
(21,642 posts)but afterwards? That's not just fabric, IMO.
progressivebydesign
(19,458 posts)SamHarris2012
(42 posts)Looks too stiff to just be a hanky.
glinda
(14,807 posts)would you give your son a dirty hanky?
BainsBane
(54,831 posts)Even if it isn't a hanky, the advantage of that kind of thing is limited. It's like having notes in an essay exam. It may give you some details but doesn't help your performance overall. I don't think we need to make the kind of excuses that right-wingers always do. It wasn't Obama's night, but it's not the end of the world. We still have two more debates, and he does have a lead in the polls.
bushisanidiot
(8,064 posts)Which makes him look even more unpresidential than lying does.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)It's more about whether he would be low enough to cheat and what that would say about a man who wants to be our president.
I am not looking at this as an excuse for Mitten's performance but as yet another example of the character of the man.
However, now that you mention it, I guess having a sheet full of numerical stats would have been really helpful in a debate that was so filled with numbers. Thanks for pointing it out for me.
BainsBane
(54,831 posts)To be sure. You'll get no arguments from me on that point.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)They come very well prepared. If you see the movie Game Changer about Sarah Palin it shows how they practiced with her and why she was vaunted as winning the debate. It's common. Everything they do and say during the debate is rehearsed until it becomes quite natural.
The same thing happens for soldiers. They rehearse a hell of a lot so when they go into battle their training takes over. I've heard lots of soldiers say that. They don't even have to think about what they're doing because their bodies just take over.
Th1onein
(8,514 posts)The guy CHEATED, do you not understand that? This is the SECOND time the Repugs have CHEATED during a presidential debate. We don't need excuses, and we don't make them. But cheating is cheating, and should be called out.
BainsBane
(54,831 posts)Did you see Rachel Maddow skewer this conspiracy theory on her show? Romney lied his pants off, but Obama didn't call him on it. He seemed disconnected. It was not the Presidents best night. None of this complaining about cheating does Any good. Put your energy into turning the vote out.
Th1onein
(8,514 posts)I don't care what Rachel Maddow says. She can skewer what she wants to skewer. I saw the box and the lead to the earpiece W. used in the 2004 debates and NONE of the mainstream media bothered to report on that. None of them. I'm not going to rely on them this time, to report on Mitt's cheating, either.
This has NOTHING to do with the President having a good or a bad night at the debate. NOTHING. It has to do with the character of the man running opposite him for the highest office in this land. OUR LAND.
For you to characterize that as making excuses for our president, is just bullshit.
BainsBane
(54,831 posts)Stay mad rather than helping the President win reelection. I don't see the point, but that's your concern. I see no evidence that he had anything but a hanky. But as I said, even if he did it wouldn't have helped much.
Th1onein
(8,514 posts)or don't help, the president win the election. Just because you don't see the evidence doesn't mean that scores of other people don't see it, either. We've seen this guy, and W. cheat in the debates. This isn't the first time, or the second time, it's the THIRD time.
There are reasons that they have rules in these debates--so that one candidate doesn't have an unfair advantage over the other candidate. When you bring a cheat sheet, or have an feed in your ear, it's cheating, and it gives an unfair advantage to one candidate over the other candidate. This doesn't mean that we are making "excuses" for our candidate. That is not the point. The POINT is that a candidate for the highest office in the land CHEATS and that says something about his character. The American people have the right to know about his character since he often holds our lives, literally, in his hands.
What this means is that we speak up about something when we see it. And it is not up to you, or to anyone else, to tell us not to speak up. This is a democracy, and we all participate in that democracy in ways that each one of us determines.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)and I'm pretty sick of people telling us what we need to put our time and energy into. I think we will decide that on our own and I think that we can handle more than one single topic.
If, and I think he did, rRmoney cheated, it shows the character of the man who says "trust me, Just vote me in with no facts, then trust me that I will do what is best for you"
Bull fucking shit. If you have to pull a junior high school style trick and cheat at the debate for the Presidency of The United States, then you are not fit for that position. Period.
No one is saying that Obama failed to perform to our expectations because Mitt cheated. We are saying "did that mother fucker cheat?" and we have the right to know.
ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)that will show where he got the hankie from when he wiped his face?
Sedona
(3,821 posts)PS I pointed this out last night as soon as it happend and all I got was crickets and a naughty unfunny joke.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251117061
AzDar
(14,023 posts)The Republican way.
trailmonkee
(2,681 posts)He did throw something on the lectern. That weasel cheated!
southern_belle
(1,647 posts)I hope he's caught!
Kablooie
(18,790 posts)gkhouston
(21,642 posts)Generic Other
(29,000 posts)Who do we write to complain about it? Commission on Presidential Debates? Anyone know how to contact?
nc4bo
(17,651 posts)if there were/are any.
Been going through the CPD and not having much luck. Mostly general information and my eyes have gotten tired.
Rules would help here. This may be nothing or something.
I don't like mysteries.
hexola
(4,835 posts)Some of the 2008 might exist also - but I havent seen it yet.
Link to 2004 rules is upthread...
hexola
(4,835 posts)"No tangible objects"
nc4bo
(17,651 posts)I had no idea and you saved me from searching endlessly for something that doesn't exist for us!
renate
(13,776 posts)When he tossed it onto the lectern at the 0:11 mark, it fell like it had some heft. And I was all
But when I watched it full-screen, it looked like a handkerchief to me. Just my opinion of course. But the regular and full-screen views do look pretty different.
SamHarris2012
(42 posts)If it is a handkerchief, its super starched or has something stiff in it.
animalcrackers
(93 posts)But maybe he doesnt have breast pockets sewn into this jacket? Just a thought
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)And the reason not to have pockets is to avoid putting things there that would detract from the impression that he's always just been starched and ironed.
glinda
(14,807 posts)sunflowerseed
(325 posts)MgtPA
(1,022 posts)We People
(619 posts)I noticed this when I saw the clip of them coming onstage on the rerun of Rachel's show about an hour ago.
Mitt and his party will do anything to cheat and win, won't they... and they're barely hiding it. I think it gives them some kind of sick thrill not just to win, but to get away with it.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)ywcachieve
(365 posts)and he opened it up, slyly of course. Did he not know there are cameras trained on the rear of the podiums?!...LOL
hexola
(4,835 posts)So - not as covert as it may seem from this view...
gkhouston
(21,642 posts)to the podium. If someone in the audience had been looking for it, they might have seen it, but I doubt many were focusing on his hands. Even if they'd noticed something, they might have not known that bringing notes isn't allowed.
ywcachieve
(365 posts)byronius
(7,638 posts)Goddamn. People paying ATTENTION.
That fucker! What a slimy dickhead! Pardon my French!
litbrit
(7 posts)I took screen-grabs from the video and made an eight-frame montage of Romney as he approaches the podium with his back to the audience (but the smile still frozen on his face), reaches into his pants pocket, casually tosses his folded paper onto the podium on top of the supplied paper, and proceeds to unfold it. While watching the video, I noticed that President Obama, at that point, was still looking up and out at the audience, his hands clearly visible in front of him and his podium containing only the sheet(s) of paper.
Please feel free to share anywhere, if you're so inclined.
Click to enlarge:
blue neen
(12,429 posts)For some reason I'm not able to enlarge the pictures. I'd love to see this in a larger format.
Is there something special I need to click on? Thanks!
Oh, and welcome to DU!
litbrit
(7 posts)HELP! It's actually much bigger, but I just used the Picasa URL and it came out small. I've only posted here a few times before. It's a great graphic--you can get it at my twitter profile @litbrit.
nc4bo
(17,651 posts)SamHarris2012
(42 posts)So I copied it and tried to enlarge it. That no worky either. It gets all fuzzy.
SamHarris2012
(42 posts)Everything about this "handkerchief" was sneaky as heck.
How he slyly pulled it out.
How he slyly tucked it away right before he left the podium to greet his family.
How he slyly retrieved it.
How he slyly handed it off to his son. Even that looked like he did that 1000's of times before. His son acted like it was situation normal, hide the evidence. Look at that dudes face when Mitt hands him those papers. He didn't even look at it. Just grabbed it and quickly tucked it away
nc4bo
(17,651 posts)SamHarris2012
(42 posts)That is no handkerchief! Look at the edges. Its paper folded into four squares. How the heck does a hankie stay folded like that in someone's pocket? He had it deep in his pocket. No hankie stays that flat and that straight deep inside a man's pocket.
animalcrackers
(93 posts)Says I need to DL flashplayer and yet I can watch other YT vids....
gkhouston
(21,642 posts)Can you do the end of the debate, when he goes back to collect it?
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)That is a piece of paper.
Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)Can u do one for the end when he retrieves the paper and tries to put it in his pocket before handing it off to his son?
nc4bo
(17,651 posts)Hopefully there will be more finer tuned vids coming out!
**I'm still in full objective, non-knee jerking status but it's getting real hard to maintain yall!**
Richard D
(9,409 posts)There's something very weird about the back of his jacket as well. A horizontal line. Almost looks like a box under his jaclet.
Response to cleduc (Original post)
litbrit This message was self-deleted by its author.
litbrit
(7 posts)nc4bo
(17,651 posts)written on it on Mitt's podium - those papers aren't blank white sheets of paper like the ones on BObama's podium. It actually looks like he has multiple sheets spread out neatly in front of him.
We could really use an overhead camera right now!
glinda
(14,807 posts)Rhiannon12866
(223,500 posts)Thanks for posting this and a belated welcome to DU!
nc4bo
(17,651 posts)and wonderful job putting that together!!
blue neen
(12,429 posts)Mitt the Magician and his sleight of hand.
Thank you so much for posting this!
litbrit
(7 posts)...and thank you for the warm welcome, everyone.
TroyD
(4,551 posts)I have sent your screencaps out to friends who have posted them on Twitter and on other political boards around the Net.
Make sure the story gets out into the mainstream media and that the Obama campaign draws the general public's attention to it as well.
If Mitt was cheating, it needs to be EXPOSED!
bushisanidiot
(8,064 posts)Looks like he is putting something under the paper that was on the podium. My guess is that he slid the paper out when he needed it and kept it hidden from view the rest of the time.
Response to cleduc (Original post)
Post removed
MgtPA
(1,022 posts)Indpndnt
(2,391 posts)Enjoy your very brief stay here in the land of reality.
How did that get hidden but MIRT not show them the door?
Someone forgot to check TOS.
MgtPA
(1,022 posts)Cha
(305,725 posts)341 say mitt brought notes to the debate.. way ahead of a hankie.
SEMOVoter
(202 posts)Okay, when dirty debate Cheater-Gate hits the mainstream, what creative explanations can we expect to see on Letterman for this?
Top Ten Things that Mitt Romney Most Likely Was Hiding on the Podium During the 1st Presidential Debate:
10.) It's a sam'mich, delicious flat panini sam'mich because of low blood sugar.
9.) Pokemon trading cards, a good luck gift from Herman Cain
8.) Business cards of investors that will bail on further campaign contributions if Mitt "doesn't ring the bell" during the debate.
7.) Dirty playing cards. All the hearts are missing, because reasons.
6.) Inspirational quotes from Ann. Now scented with victory, rude interruptions and aggression.
5.) Cell phone wrapped in a kerchief so Paul Ryan can listen in.
4.) A package of flattened zingers. Raspberry is very good, but Little Debbie is always a fav in the heartland.
3.) A teeny-tiny copy of 10 years of tax returns.
2.) Neatly folded amended return that corrects contributions and overpayment of taxes in 2011.
and the number one thing that Mitt Romeny most likely was hiding on the podium.....
1.) A chick fil a job application for Big Bird.
gkhouston
(21,642 posts)SEMOVoter
(202 posts)I hope that didn't offend. When this cheater-gate thing hits, and OH how I want it to so badly. I hope Mitt gets mocked in the socks for it.
TheDonkey
(8,911 posts)aquart
(69,014 posts)Although the phone might be because he thought he could call for outside help on a tough question.
SEMOVoter
(202 posts)"Hello, this is Mitt, the guy on the top of the ticket...."
litbrit
(7 posts)With the photo sharpened, you can see rings, as one would use with notecards, or perhaps a small notebook. It's a bit smaller than his jacket pocket (which gives scale), and I think it was wrapped in a hanky, which he unwrapped in frames 7 and 8 of my montage, where it looks like he's unfolding a paper. He *was* unfolding something...the hanky, which concealed the notecards/notebook. Look:
TheDonkey
(8,911 posts)Not only does he throw out these notes and awkwardly unfolds them immediately after but also he scurries back to the podium to collect all his notes, fold them, and pass them off to his son.
Where these mementos? Because the final is coming up tomorrow? It looks very bad for Romney. I hope MSM look into this as well as the Presidential Debate Commission.
hexola
(4,835 posts)Look at his left arm...that really looks like a move to the other pocket.
We People
(619 posts)tblue37
(66,035 posts)Cha
(305,725 posts)Someone commented that it reminded her of when he was Gov..scrubbing all those hard drives.
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/10/04/chat-away-67/#comments
Tinksrival
(2,575 posts)PBS might be afraid to accuse Romney in light of Mitt's threats to Big Bird. (Can't believe I just typed that! How ridiculous!)
Put in your feedback....Maybe somebody cares Maybe Jim Lehrer cares about being played a fool by that rich brat.
jrr3005
(1 post)Yes, he is a cheat and a liar. I work in electronics, I think he was being fed his lines/lies. His handkerchief could have easily contained an electronic device.
ArkilokusJames
(3 posts)...to shake Obama's hand.
Watch from 1:31:14 to 1:31:20.
http://www.c-span.org/Debates/Events/Presidential-Debate-on-Domestic-Policy/10737434292/
Not a smoking gun, it is another rather suspicious circumstance. Why would he be so eager to get those papers out of sight unless he had something to hide?
Response to ArkilokusJames (Reply #174)
ArkilokusJames This message was self-deleted by its author.
ArkilokusJames
(3 posts)As soon as the debate is over, it looks like Romney tries to put something away, realizes he won't have time, then steps out to shake hands with Obama.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)It looks like quite a little bit of stuff he is messing with there but I don't know how to go through frame by frame to get the best pic.
glinda
(14,807 posts)bushisanidiot
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Waiting For Everyman
(9,385 posts)It's the 2 pics after the debate where Romney returns back to the podium and Michelle (blue dress) is standing in front of him. What he's picking up is definitely papers, and they look like close-spaced typing. Plus, the type pattern is different in each pic, which had to be different pages.
What I can't understand though is, how did he read them? And he didn't look down much?
ESDU
(4 posts)Romney did look down and refer to his supposedly blank hanky several times - before each bullet point in the beginning. I'm sure much more but I would need to go through the whole video again. That's the type of president I want, someone who needs to consult his hanky before speaking.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)But haven't rewatched to see for sure.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)He has two papers in hand, which appear typed or he took some very precise notes, there is yet another white item down on the podium. If lets say that those two papers actually are the ones he was given to take notes on (and a big if, I think) then what is still on the podium that is white? His hankie? So he put his hankie into the folded papers? I don't think so.
thanks for posting these.
FrenchieCat
(68,868 posts)but he's a fucking cheater too!
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)marlakay
(12,205 posts)Why would you give a dirty hanky to your son? Even that says a lot to me.
ben8jam
(1 post)Native
(6,666 posts)hexola
(4,835 posts)Maybe that's when the actual hanky comes out...
glinda
(14,807 posts)Appears as though the edges fall after the middle part.
a2Dem
(2 posts)The microphone on the podium clearly picks up the sound of this object landing. No way is this just a handkerchief
Berlum
(7,044 posts)Romney needs be be called out publicly for cheating and breaking the rules he agreed to abide by.
Shamefully low Republican "values" - as usual.
nc4bo
(17,651 posts)after the debate!!!
Good that M$M and Mitt realize that every damn thing they do is being watched!!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251121638
I had watched the other video clip (the slomo one) and it was harder in that one to tell what he did. But this one clearly shows him unfolding that handkerchief and moving something out of it and folding it back up. At least it appears that way to me. Since he made a point about using the handkerchief in the debate he would be able to have some plausible deniability if asked about what he removed from his pocket. And it would be pretty easy to just push those notecards (because they do look like they could be 3x5 cards) into a sheaf of "notes" that he supposedly could take during the course of the debate, fold them back up and put them into his pocket.
I know that men who carry handkerchiefs usually put them in their trouser pockets - but guys that wear suits usually put them in one of the inside pockets of their coats - and it would have been quite obvious to viewers that he was pulling something from the inside of his coat. He didn't do that. He pulled whatever this was from the front pocket of his trousers - which kept his hand movement behind and below the lectern and wouldn't have been seen by anyone in the audience or the viewers. Too bad he didn't seem to realize that a camera might be place behind the lectern....
upanddowny
(1 post)nc4bo
(17,651 posts)Romney has told many people to just simply "trust me". Well we don't and won't just take your word.
Prove it then I'll be satisfied.
uppityperson
(115,880 posts)Indpndnt
(2,391 posts)That's what they're going with?
gkhouston
(21,642 posts)that your shit doesn't stink and you have no boogers.