Was Bush packing Wi-Fi in TV debate?

[Gav]

Well was he? I never saw the debates so no comment.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10...less_coaching/

[Inquartata]

And how was he hearing the "coaching" without an earpiece?

The whole premise of the piece is ludicrous: "Well, Bush just can't talk properly, so if he ever does someone else MUST be pulling the strings!"

I'm surprised the author didn't just claim that it was a Bush android at the debate and be done with it.

[Epictetus]

*chuckle*

I heard about this awhile back. Another forum I spend some time on came to the conclusion that "Bush" in the debate was actually a very advanced robot, being controled remotely from an undisclosed location.

The article claims that a earpiece could be made with wireless technology in a way that would make it almost invisible to someone looking.

Personally, if he was wired, I would like to think it would be for some national security reason, but I think even that is very unlikely.

[Gav]

If Bush is an android maybe Kerry is as well!

Maybe all US politicians are robots!

Arrgh! They are taking over.

I thought the article was very funny.

Inq' I don't know if you read El Reg but it usually takes quite a a tongue-in-cheek look at such topics. (This article certainly has an ironic tone to it.)

[Epictetus]

Yes, it's just another rumor going around the internet(s)

[prototoast]

I won't say he was being coached or anything, but it was pretty clear he was packing something.

To add to potential conspiracies, it could have just been a buzzer to tell him to shut up when he started speaking in a way that was seen as unfavorable. Or it could have been monitoring his vital functions... or maybe he was wired to explode if he didn't give a good debate!

[Inquartata]

"Packing something"? Have you been talking to Laura?

[Maeve_Mari]

The idea of this is so funny!
I never would have thought he'd bring to the debate, a cheat sheet. It does sound preposterous that someone would attempt this, though I do recall that one of the debate rules was that no one was allowed to film the candidates from the back. I thought it was to avoid the balding spot picture - but if this is true, then it would explain, not only why the rule was there, but also why a cameraman broke the rule and DID film Bush from the back during the debate. I remember wondering why that rule was broken when I saw it that night!

[esskreemr]

As they said on Slashdot, maybe it's a man-bra...

Once again, the only proof or evidence that Bush apologists offer is that Bush's camp says it was a tailoring issue.

Better View:
http://www.electoral-vote.com/images/bulge.jpg

Here's the "Let me finish" sound bite (no one else interruptingJ):
http://nyc.indymedia.org/usermedia/a..._me_finish.mp3

Weird synch (could have been, umm, edited to prove a point):
http://www.canofun.com/blog/videos/B...TheOddSync.wmv

A wireless prompter device:
http://www.comtek.com/IFBCueing/ifbcueing.html

The debate agreements forbade filming the debators from behind:
http://news.findlaw.com/wp/docs/elec...es2004mou.html

The second bulge at the second debate:
http://www.democrats.com

Just in case you can't accept anything with the word Democrat in it:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp.../pd13510090242

Bush typically wears an earpiece when he appears in public:
http://www.slweekly.com/editorial/20...2003-03-20.cfm

A sweet "October Surprise" would be for someone to find the frequency and feed Bush the wrong lines. They would be stupid not to use digital encryption to verify signal authenticity, but oh well, one can always hope.

[Maeve_Mari]

Look! There's an entire website dedicated to whether our fearless leader was wired or not! It's hilarious to think that could happen.

http://isbushwired.com/

[esskreemr]

I gleaned my post from a combination of that site, slashdot, and a few other sites.

Oh yeah, your signature motivated me to change mine...

[latenight]

maybe a bullet proof vest?

[esskreemr]

So the box and the wire like fold were what? For the electrostatic dissipation of the bullet's kinetic force?

A more likely and credible answer would be to keep in constant contact with the SS due to imminent danger of assasination. Bush camp said that it's tailoring issue. More disinformation (lies?) in a situation that would make Bush look bad.

[Maeve_Mari]

maybe a bullet proof vest?

I thought of that too, but it really doesnt look like a vest underneath. Now that the topic has been raised, its interesting to see that there are articles out there that already raised the suspicion that he would wear earpieces so information and answers could be piped in.

I really hope this is all just fun rumors and slamming. To think that the President of the Free World is so dim as to need a voice in his ear in order to lead and represent the nation would be such a shame. So very sad if it were actually true.

Is W Bush the Manchurian Candidate?

[latenight]

http://www.drudgereport.com/dnc57.htm


Maybe they should debate naked?

[HillBilly]

[Soldier]

Only if you're trying to ensure a double-assassination, Latenight.

I very much doubt that Bush was wired for two reasons:

First, it would be incredibly risky - for the reasons we're seeing now. If it were discovered, it would be a huge problem for him. I just don't see the benefit being worth the potential consequences.

Second, that thing was huge. And if that was a wire running up his back, and not in fact a shoulder blade or something else, they must have been using coaxial. I've seen much smaller devices used in high school plays; you don't think the president could afford something a bit more discrete? An amplifier for a received signal can be absolutely tiny; if the required antenna size is the issue, a long whip-style antenna could have easily been sewed into the seams of his jacket.

And Maeve_Mari and Latenight, the site devoted to the issue said they talked to some SpecOps guys, who said they doubted it was a bulletproof vest - he shows up in shirtsleeves with no visible bulges to many events; why would he be more worried meeting with Kerry?

[Maeve_Mari]

Only if you're trying to ensure a double-assassination, Latenight.

I very much doubt that Bush was wired for two reasons:

First, it would be incredibly risky - for the reasons we're seeing now. If it were discovered, it would be a huge problem for him. I just don't see the benefit being worth the potential consequences.

Second, that thing was huge. And if that was a wire running up his back, and not in fact a shoulder blade or something else, they must have been using coaxial. I've seen much smaller devices used in high school plays; you don't think the president could afford something a bit more discrete? An amplifier for a received signal can be absolutely tiny; if the required antenna size is the issue, a long whip-style antenna could have easily been sewed into the seams of his jacket.

And Maeve_Mari and Latenight, the site devoted to the issue said they talked to some SpecOps guys, who said they doubted it was a bulletproof vest - he shows up in shirtsleeves with no visible bulges to many events; why would he be more worried meeting with Kerry?

It has to be a bullet proof vest. There is no way Bush would want or need to have a earpiece to get answers from.
Of course he goes to events in shirtsleeves. He's a regular roll-up the sleeves kinda get down in your face man. A true leader!
These websites are just trashing him.

[latenight]

Actually my site is about an supposed Kerry cheat.

[Soldier]

It has to be a bullet proof vest. There is no way Bush would want or need to have a earpiece to get answers from.
Of course he goes to events in shirtsleeves. He's a regular roll-up the sleeves kinda get down in your face man. A true leader!
These websites are just trashing him.

Hey, who needs actual thought behind a reply, when there's sarcasm to be had?