What Did Kerry Do?

From "What Would Kerry Do" to "What Did Kerry Do?"

It looks like he pulled something out of his coat and put it on the podium.

Maybe he did, and maybe he didn't. Let's stipulate that he did.

The memorandum of understanding ("the rules" – PDF file) for the debates states [item 5(c), bottom of page 4] states that no "tangible things may be brought into the debate by any candidate". (Presumably only tangible things that might be used in the debate. I assume the candidates' wearing of clothing into the debate did not violate item 5(c).

Now the interesting thing with any rule, written or oral, is the "or else what?" clause.

Neither candidate is to bring in any props, notes, or references, "or else what?"

According to 5(c), if either candidate violates the rule against using props, the moderator is to interrupt the candidate and explain that he's violating the rule.

Oh.

Big whoop.

I'd be a lot more impressed if the penalty were something like losing the next opportunaty to make a rebuttal statement. Even a thirty-second penalty on the next response would be something.

(And now that the cold light of the following morning is here, I'll point out that if you bring materials in to a civil service exam in violation of the rules, the proctor tells you to leave, and your exam is not scored. A rule 5(c) with teeth in it would have had a candidate who breaks it told to leave the debate.)