At this point, I should probably just move on to other topics, but one thing about the mysterious bump on Bush’s back in the first debate is still bugging me.
First, for those who thought that perhaps the individual snap shot I posted the other day was a random misrepresentation, you can check the video. The Post put the video of the debate online — for the relevant portion, right-click on the video to open it in a separate RealPlayer window and fast-forward to the 14:55 mark.
But the point that deserves emphasis right now is the “memorandum of understanding” (the agreement struck between the campaigns over how the debates would be structured). Page 17, section 7, sub-section a, clause vi says the following:
“The camera at the rear of the stage shall be used only to take shots of the moderator.”
In other words, which ever side insisted on having this provision didn’t want the candidates seen from behind. Since the candidates’ backs are rarely of interest, it seems like a strange request to formalize in the document. Why was this part of the agreement? And which campaign made sure it was?
Yesterday, Michael Froomkin wrote what I was thinking.
Someone should really ask Vernon Jordan who suggested the prohibition on photographing candidates from behind during the pre-debate negotiations and what reason if any was given. Because it’s that condition, said to have been demanded by the Bush negotiators, that gives this story what legs it has.
Exactly. If BC04 didn’t want the candidates’ backs shown, and went out of its way to include this in the pre-debate agreement, then the Battle of the Bulge could get a bit more interesting. Someone from KE04 could probably shed light on those negotiations.
On a lighter but related note, Tom Tomorrow had an entertaining thought on what might have been under Bush’s jacket.
And David Letterman offered his Top Ten President Bush Explanations For The Bulge In His Jacket. I was particularly fond of #4.
10. “It’s connected to an earpiece so Cheney can feed me answers — crap, I wasn’t supposed to say that!”
9. “It’s a device that shocks me every time I mispronounce a word.”
8. “Just a bunch of intelligence memos I haven’t gotten around to reading yet.”
7. “Mmm, delicious Muenster cheese.”
6. “John Kerry initially voted for the bulge in my jacket, then voted against it.”
5. “I’ll tell you exactly what it is – it’s a clear sign this economy is moving again.”
4. “Halliburton is drilling my back for oil.”
3. “Oh, like you’ve never cheated in a presidential debate!”
2. “Accidentally took some of Governer Schwarzenegger’s ‘roids.”
1. “If Kerry’s gonna look like a horse, then I’m gonna look like a camel.”