2016 Postmortem

trayfoot

(1,568 posts)

86. It was a handkerchief

Reply to cleduc (Original post)

Thu Oct 4, 2012, 06:15 PM

Oct 2012

Mention was made of that by the commentators after the debate.

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Did Romney bring cheat notes into the debate? [View all] cleduc Oct 2012 OP

Ha ha ha . . . looks like he did! fleur-de-lisa Oct 2012 #1

He checked out who was looking Life Long Dem Oct 2012 #227

You're right! He brought a cheat sheet! bushisanidiot Oct 2012 #2

He brought his bird hunting gun for sure Coyotl Oct 2012 #217

Either some notes, or that handkerchief he mopped his face with later. MgtPA Oct 2012 #3

How far in is the face wipe? KurtNYC Oct 2012 #189

It's pretty far in, towards the end of the debate I think. MgtPA Oct 2012 #190

He definitely slipped something out of his pocket C_U_L8R Oct 2012 #4

precisely! the rules are for everyone else, not them. pnwest Oct 2012 #6

sociopaths also roll the same way underthematrix Oct 2012 #106

OMG, he did pull out paper from his pocket! What a sleazeball. nt valerief Oct 2012 #5

Wow you got it! He was cheating. Brought his crib sheet and dropped it on the podium. MatthewStLouis Oct 2012 #7

30 seconds after shaking hands with the President of the United States... hexola Oct 2012 #8

This rwork Oct 2012 #9

He took something out of his pocket and put it on the dais. nt MADem Oct 2012 #10

Watched it several times. Jennicut Oct 2012 #11

ohoh - well that can't be good. Certainly not fair unless POTUS also had a cheat sheet. nc4bo Oct 2012 #12

MSNBC just highlighted that it was a hankie - made a joke about keeping the powder dry or nc4bo Oct 2012 #15

maybe a hankie or maybe cheat notes in a hankie. Take a look 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #22

Oh yes - I completely missed the end. Honestly, I wouldn't put ANYTHING past Romney nc4bo Oct 2012 #27

Excellent catch! bushisanidiot Oct 2012 #29

At 1:32:39 he goes back to the podium to get his cheat sheet bushisanidiot Oct 2012 #32

Oh dear! Now why would he pick those papers up, POTUS did not at least not that I noticed. nc4bo Oct 2012 #34

And....he first tries to put them in his suit jacket pocket. hamsterjill Oct 2012 #58

It makes sense......**attempting to remain objective** nc4bo Oct 2012 #110

Well, if he spent the debate writing ugly things about the President, he wouldn't want to leave gkhouston Oct 2012 #62

If that were the case, I'm sure it wasn't a simple "DRAT" "DANG" or "dingleberry" scribbled on there nc4bo Oct 2012 #64

not good explanation at all 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #65

Damn it. nc4bo Oct 2012 #66

lol 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #70

If mittnocchio was grinning underthematrix Oct 2012 #108

Please watch the video if you want to make public your opinion of the video TheDonkey Oct 2012 #156

If you'll finish reading the thread, I'll think you'll realize that I watched it hours ago gkhouston Oct 2012 #159

I looked at the CSPAN link, and there does not seem to be any question that was folded paper Samantha Oct 2012 #236

Wow. I just watched that full screen. polly7 Oct 2012 #243

I find myself wondering why he went back to the podium so quickly. gkhouston Oct 2012 #244

I think the President was too quick over to shake his hand and Romney couldn't get the cheat notes polly7 Oct 2012 #247

Post removed Post removed Oct 2012 #277

This has absolutely not a single thing to do with Obama. polly7 Oct 2012 #278

He is hiding a paper within another paper. 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #38

Mitt-ster Roboto alvitar Oct 2012 #180

The look on his face Why Syzygy Oct 2012 #237

not only that, we need to watch the entire thing 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #33

I hope this isn't stupid... DearHeart Oct 2012 #295

Crease in pants ESDU Oct 2012 #303

well, when one side is creased and the other isn't... DearHeart Oct 2012 #305

My guess is that MSNBC had an initial "safe" reaction bushisanidiot Oct 2012 #53

If he did cheat, it wouldn't be the 1st time... from 2008: MgtPA Oct 2012 #13

Wow. Why would they let him get away with that? polly7 Oct 2012 #77

Mittens wouldn't need cheat sheets, Amimnoch Oct 2012 #14

There must be some high res photos out there - probably better fodder for speculation. hexola Oct 2012 #16

Iphone? hexola Oct 2012 #17

Decent photo here hexola Oct 2012 #18

Doesn't look like any hankie I've ever seen - wish there was an overhead view! nm nc4bo Oct 2012 #23

we need to source the hankie! hexola Oct 2012 #24

enlarge that pic. There is much writing on it. 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #30

Here ya go hexola Oct 2012 #35

yeah, see it is already folded. 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #39

Yes. There are creases both lengthwise and widthwise that were obviously there before. bushisanidiot Oct 2012 #43

Not sure but that may be typing on that too. 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #44

Here's the thing with that photo above. cleduc Oct 2012 #91

The behavior at the end of the debate is more suspicious than that still. gkhouston Oct 2012 #96

Yes, and did you see the look the son who took them gave to his brother? polly7 Oct 2012 #99

Yep. Once Ann saw mitt had the notes in his hand she couldn't stop looking at it bushisanidiot Oct 2012 #184

to me it looks like a small notebook to the right of the paper Maine-ah Oct 2012 #103

I reported the question about this to the Obama Truth team cleduc Oct 2012 #19

I hope you also pointed out his hiding it at the end. 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #40

It looked like paper...not fabric. SoapBox Oct 2012 #20

He went back and got the notes after the final JohnnyBoots Oct 2012 #21

Footage of him going back to get it would be great to see! bushisanidiot Oct 2012 #25

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/clip/4006759 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #45

Amazing! Alot of folding and fussing of a mere notebook. What a cheater. MatthewStLouis Oct 2012 #47

So, clearly he has no inner lapel pockets. hexola Oct 2012 #52

not a hanky. 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #54

I was looking really hard for that hankie Faux pas Oct 2012 #204

This is beyond suspicious tarheelsunc Oct 2012 #51

Man, that's really fucked up. That's definite evidence he had something to hide. joshcryer Oct 2012 #122

He hands it to son and says "Hide This"...check the audio newuser9 Oct 2012 #186

Your ears are better than mine. All I heard was background noise. TalkingDog Oct 2012 #196

Also, when Mitt walks over with the papers... CoffeeCat Oct 2012 #221

Ann's response mwblueyarn Oct 2012 #248

Shouldn't this be pointed out? (We should email the Obama camp) anneboleyn Oct 2012 #74

it appears that all of the media has done it's most excellent job 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #297

Read my post #22 There is more. n/t 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #26

Check out this "Memorandum of Understanding" from Bush-Kerry 04 debate...very specific. hexola Oct 2012 #28

More from 2004 rules - very specific about what goes on the podium and who puts it there hexola Oct 2012 #31

There must be a list of rules somewhere for this debate. nc4bo Oct 2012 #113

How many men keep their handerchiefs in their PANTS pockets? hamsterjill Oct 2012 #36

That's true. and how many men keep notes in their pants pocket instead of in their coat pocket. bushisanidiot Oct 2012 #42

When they've got a suit jacket available? None I know. gkhouston Oct 2012 #63

I always keep a hanky in my pants pocket. louis-t Oct 2012 #202

My husband always kept his handkerchief in his pants pocket, but NOT in a front pocket! Petrushka Oct 2012 #260

Romney's Typed Notes pacopete Oct 2012 #37

thank you, and welcome to DU! renate Oct 2012 #114

Obama needs to be equipped with a signal jammer for future debates tarheelsunc Oct 2012 #41

See Reply 14 above. I suspect much the same thing. Amimnoch Oct 2012 #55

And make it echo back Politicalboi Oct 2012 #87

If Obama brought a signal jammer, GoddessOfGuinness Oct 2012 #95

Here's my question. Why would a multi-millionaire worry about leaving a used handkerchief behind? we can do it Oct 2012 #46

P.O.E. Precious bodily fluids and all that. TalkingDog Oct 2012 #195

DNA would reveal he is a lizard alien? Digit Oct 2012 #250

Spam deleted by Behind the Aegis (MIR Team) verdin2 Oct 2012 #48

Rather off topic MgtPA Oct 2012 #49

k&r 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #50

This should be cross posted to GD. stranger81 Oct 2012 #56

Go ahead and cross post it for us. 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #73

Only if tinfoil hats are being passed out! whistler162 Oct 2012 #299

Made a clip of the end of the debate using C-SPAN's cool clip maker. nc4bo Oct 2012 #57

Well done! bushisanidiot Oct 2012 #60

Do you have a program that can save the clip? I do not and wouldn't nc4bo Oct 2012 #61

I don't know how to make clips and edit video bushisanidiot Oct 2012 #67

Whoa! lillypaddle Oct 2012 #59

There was one point early on where I was sure he had the Bush earpiece KamaAina Oct 2012 #68

looks like he tosses a folded piece of paper on the lecturn between 9 to 10 seconds into the tape. Bill USA Oct 2012 #69

Lying, cheating sack of shit. I hope this is reviewed by debate rules-keepers. mnhtnbb Oct 2012 #71

Pic of podium cheat sheets bushisanidiot Oct 2012 #72

KKKKKKKKKKKKRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!! NYC_SKP Oct 2012 #85

There's definitely a piece of folded paper there, imo. polly7 Oct 2012 #88

agreed bushisanidiot Oct 2012 #94

*whistles* Hutzpa Oct 2012 #198

that nebenaube Oct 2012 #242

Yes! And then he unfolded it. n/t Tx4obama Oct 2012 #75

K&R for later! arcane1 Oct 2012 #76

Yes, I saw it! ananda Oct 2012 #78

Yes, no doubt, elleng Oct 2012 #79

clearly reaches in at the 9 second mark. no mistaking it. NRaleighLiberal Oct 2012 #80

it was a hankie, he used it to wipe his upper lip before closing statements Hamlette Oct 2012 #81

It can NOT be a hankie. Because he UNFOLDS the paper. And the hanky he used later was folded. Tx4obama Oct 2012 #84

hahhaha....no reason for that Dan Oct 2012 #82

He pulled what looked to be a stack of index cards wrapped with a rubber band out of his pocket. MrSlayer Oct 2012 #83

It was a handkerchief trayfoot Oct 2012 #86

watch the beginning and the end of the vids 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #93

+1. Particularly watch the end. It's hard to tell how stiff the white object is before the debate, gkhouston Oct 2012 #97

why couldn't he get a hankie back in is pocket? And hand it to his son? weird. nt progressivebydesign Oct 2012 #104

That's one stiff handkerchief SamHarris2012 Oct 2012 #118

Where did the hanky go? And if it was with the papers why glinda Oct 2012 #206

That kind of cheating doesn't help much BainsBane Oct 2012 #89

The larger point here is that Romney cheated bushisanidiot Oct 2012 #100

It's not even about how much cheat sheets would help him. 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #105

Oh, he's a lying sac of Fox excrement BainsBane Oct 2012 #123

Actually it's well know and no secret that they practice for hours and days on the debates lunatica Oct 2012 #181

EXCUSES? For what? Th1onein Oct 2012 #254

Put your energy into turning out the vote. BainsBane Oct 2012 #255

I will put my energy where I see fit, not where YOU see fit. Th1onein Oct 2012 #256

Okay, don't BainsBane Oct 2012 #257

Listen closely: You do not determine for everyone, or ANYONE else, how they help Th1onein Oct 2012 #259

This has nothing to do with Obama's performance 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #298

Is there a CSPAN video ohheckyeah Oct 2012 #90

What's to stop him from hiding notes in the hanky Sedona Oct 2012 #92

kick. HuckleB Oct 2012 #98

Lie , cheat, and steal... AzDar Oct 2012 #101

he was super sneaky about it too trailmonkee Oct 2012 #102

OMG tavalon Oct 2012 #107

that man makes me sick! southern_belle Oct 2012 #109

It was a package containing Sarah Palin's hand. Kablooie Oct 2012 #111

Thread win! n/t gkhouston Oct 2012 #121

Needs to go viral folks Generic Other Oct 2012 #112

I'd love to see a set of rules for the candidates... nc4bo Oct 2012 #115

Apparently, the rules are confidential. The 2004 MOU (Rules) was leaked and is online. hexola Oct 2012 #128

Under the 2004 rules, even the hanky would be a breech. hexola Oct 2012 #129

Thank you for the explanation hexola!! nc4bo Oct 2012 #132

hmm. in the small version, it sure does look like index cards or a densely folded bunch of notes renate Oct 2012 #116

That's one stiff handkerchief SamHarris2012 Oct 2012 #117

Playing devils advocate animalcrackers Oct 2012 #119

That would explain the behavior at his end jberryhill Oct 2012 #172

That would be convenient as is to hand off the evidence. glinda Oct 2012 #211

Has anyone sent this to Rachel? sunflowerseed Oct 2012 #120

I did this afternoon MgtPA Oct 2012 #125

Thank you for doing that! We People Oct 2012 #165

It can never be proven, or to be more accurate the media will not try to prove it. hrmjustin Oct 2012 #124

Yes, he did slyly pull out a paper from his right pocket and slyly place it on the podium. ywcachieve Oct 2012 #126

One problem - it looks like the entire right half of the audience could see this clearly. hexola Oct 2012 #127

I disagree, after having seen the slo-mo version. Romney doesn't dig into his pocket until he's up gkhouston Oct 2012 #166

Exactly. ywcachieve Oct 2012 #240

After reading this post, I must say that I am inordinately proud to be part of this place. byronius Oct 2012 #130

A Cheater Exposed in 8 Frames litbrit Oct 2012 #131

Whoa! blue neen Oct 2012 #133

How do I upload a photo? litbrit Oct 2012 #138

Try this.........link. nc4bo Oct 2012 #139

I can't click to enlarge either. SamHarris2012 Oct 2012 #136

Take it from a sneak but Romney looked sneaky as heck... SamHarris2012 Oct 2012 #134

Multiple passes, slow motion vid capture. What say you DU? nc4bo Oct 2012 #135

Best evidence yet! SamHarris2012 Oct 2012 #137

Errr, anyone having problems watching this? animalcrackers Oct 2012 #145

That flopped down like a piece of folded paper, not a hanky. gkhouston Oct 2012 #153

Exactly. proud2BlibKansan Oct 2012 #276

this video nails the cheat to the wall! Cracklin Charlie Oct 2012 #162

this is great 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #177

Sorry 2p2p, not my video......was trolling Google links and lucked out! nc4bo Oct 2012 #187

Check 1:19 Richard D Oct 2012 #213

This message was self-deleted by its author litbrit Oct 2012 #140

Mitt the Cheat, in 8 Frames (3rd attempt, hope this works!) litbrit Oct 2012 #141

Looking at all your series of stills then check out the photo upthread and see the paper w/something nc4bo Oct 2012 #142

Definitely something folded. Why is his Podium so full of stuff? glinda Oct 2012 #208

Great job! Rhiannon12866 Oct 2012 #143

Yes yes - forgive my rudeness!!! Jumping in under Rhiannon to say Welcome nc4bo Oct 2012 #144

Amazing. blue neen Oct 2012 #146

My pleasure litbrit Oct 2012 #147

Get the word out! TroyD Oct 2012 #169

The last screen shot bushisanidiot Oct 2012 #183

Post removed Post removed Oct 2012 #148

No one here is lying MgtPA Oct 2012 #151

Handkerchief is a big word. Good for you! Indpndnt Oct 2012 #160

LOL JTFrog Oct 2012 #193

Daily Kos has picked up on this too MgtPA Oct 2012 #149

Thanks, MgtPA Cha Oct 2012 #164

Okay, when Cheater-Gate hits the mainstream, what excuses can we expect to see on Letterman? SEMOVoter Oct 2012 #150

LOL! gkhouston Oct 2012 #155

Thank you! Glad to read everyone's comments. SEMOVoter Oct 2012 #158

Omg. Indpndnt Oct 2012 #163

Bravo! nt TheDonkey Oct 2012 #167

Excellent. aquart Oct 2012 #231

LOL, good point SEMOVoter Oct 2012 #246

Looks like the paper/notecard-stack has rings litbrit Oct 2012 #152

This makes me sick to my stomach. He threw a "cheat sheet" on the podium with shit eating grin TheDonkey Oct 2012 #154

Doesn't it seem like he goes to his other pocket once behind the podium? hexola Oct 2012 #157

Why are we not surprised?? We People Oct 2012 #161

I think it's his hanky--for his flop sweat. nt tblue37 Oct 2012 #168

Here's pics of mitt #1 through #8 doing something at the podium.. Cha Oct 2012 #170

I sent my feed back with links Tinksrival Oct 2012 #171

an electronic device jrr3005 Oct 2012 #173

Immediately after the debate, Romney fumbles with the papers on his podium before stepping out... ArkilokusJames Oct 2012 #174

This message was self-deleted by its author ArkilokusJames Oct 2012 #175

Here's a clip ArkilokusJames Oct 2012 #175

can we isolate any ot those pics? 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #178

Look at his hand gestures. What is he bundling up? glinda Oct 2012 #210

some pics of romney leaving lecturn then going back bushisanidiot Oct 2012 #280

In 2 pics it looks like HEAVILY TYPEWRITTEN PAGES -- I didn't see that before. Waiting For Everyman Oct 2012 #294

He did look down and refer to his notes!!! ESDU Oct 2012 #304

I thought he did look down as if reading pretty frequently 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #308

In the pics where he retrieves his papers 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #309

This guy is not just a serial liar..... FrenchieCat Oct 2012 #179

ask him (& the son) directly what he took out of his pocket before and handed to his son after n/t Sunlei Oct 2012 #182

The question is if hanky marlakay Oct 2012 #281

Romney cheat notes zoomed in a slow mo! ben8jam Oct 2012 #185

is that his left hand moving to open the hanky after his right hand throws it on the lectern? Native Oct 2012 #188

Or is he getting something out of that pocket? hexola Oct 2012 #201

That has a funny "middle" bounce to the object. glinda Oct 2012 #212

You can hear something bouncing a2Dem Oct 2012 #233

Moderator Jim Leher needs to make a public statement about this Berlum Oct 2012 #191

Good - it's beginning to hit M$M. Now they can ask Romney what it was he was doing before and nc4bo Oct 2012 #192

Whoa! Texin Oct 2012 #194

The Romney campaign says it was a handkerchief upanddowny Oct 2012 #197

I bet they do and of course they would. nc4bo Oct 2012 #199

Of course they do. Look at this vid where he retrieves it. Awfully stiff for a hanky. uppityperson Oct 2012 #200

And he had his son take it and hide it in his pocket at the end? Indpndnt Oct 2012 #203

Once you become uber-rich it's important to maintain the illusion... gkhouston Oct 2012 #224

It's now on the Opinion Page of the dallas morning News w8liftinglady Oct 2012 #205

It's also here - chicago cbslocal bushisanidiot Oct 2012 #223

32,360 thread views..... Old and In the Way Oct 2012 #207

I love DU NightOwwl Oct 2012 #209

A hankie madmax Oct 2012 #214

CAUTION: This thread is being propped by first posters Coyotl Oct 2012 #215

I'm wondering the same thing too... CoffeeCat Oct 2012 #222

Don't let this be the backlash trick that makes Mitt's lies fade into obscurity. Coyotl Oct 2012 #226

yes we should all sit in fear of the republicans and what they think of us 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #300

Critical reasoning is a cerebral function Coyotl Oct 2012 #302

well, they have sure been blowing it out their ass for years. 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #306

I signed up last night... SamHarris2012 Oct 2012 #225

I started the thread while on the phone with my sister cleduc Oct 2012 #232

My mom just told me...that Ann Romney had a pre-debate interview politicaljack78 Oct 2012 #216

I have not re-listened to it ye but below is the link cleduc Oct 2012 #235

Can someone with a stronger stomach listen to this for the ones of us who get nauseous? Digit Oct 2012 #251

I love my mom, but that was a wild goose chase politicaljack78 Oct 2012 #253

thank you so much. n/t politicaljack78 Oct 2012 #252

Bullet Points of what transpired. ESDU Oct 2012 #293

Not shocking that a liar would also cheat to win. Paddy Ryan Oct 2012 #218

Welcome to DU n/t madmax Oct 2012 #220

kick and Rec...twitter: #hankygate dogindia Oct 2012 #219

Let him try to explain this one Life Long Dem Oct 2012 #228

here he spends 5-6 seconds riverwalker Oct 2012 #229

In fairness, I think he was putting his watch back on cleduc Oct 2012 #239

That would make a lot more sense. I've seen countless people take their watches off when gkhouston Oct 2012 #245

Listen - you can hear a2Dem Oct 2012 #230

hmmm quite a thud for a hanky riverwalker Oct 2012 #234

Has msnbc covered this yet? polichick Oct 2012 #238

the daily beast on BeastTV has both clips both the begin and at end of debate dogindia Oct 2012 #241

he probably had both notes and hankie to cover MFM008 Oct 2012 #249

All these pieces need to be neatly presented together marciasw Oct 2012 #258

Rachel Maddow show called it.......meh nc4bo Oct 2012 #261

Unfortunately Rachel took a cheap shot because she wanted cover... polichick Oct 2012 #264

Are you kidding me? OllieLotte Oct 2012 #262

Breaking the rules = cheating = fail. Romney flunked out. allrevvedup Oct 2012 #263

The OP doesn't conflate the two - interesting that you do. polichick Oct 2012 #265

LMAO - this is the newest RW response to the cheat. Can't address it so they deflect. nc4bo Oct 2012 #267

Even Rachel took that tack last night... polichick Oct 2012 #269

I expect the MSM will, at the very most, report that there is speculation about "the hanky" gkhouston Oct 2012 #283

Come on..let's drop it! helpisontheway Oct 2012 #266

For the 5000th time, O's debate performance has absolutely NOTHING to do with this. nc4bo Oct 2012 #268

It's a polite way of ignoring the silly notion that Romney had notes. OllieLotte Oct 2012 #270

Nevertheless, if you cheat, you lose the medals. allrevvedup Oct 2012 #271

You also choose to ignore what this is about. We are questioning Romney's character or lack of it. nc4bo Oct 2012 #272

You're missing the point completely. This issue has nothing to do with winning... polichick Oct 2012 #274

It shows that he is sneaky Rosa Luxemburg Oct 2012 #279

we watched as bush cheated and nothing was done 2pooped2pop Oct 2012 #296

I see the two being connected by people who don't want us to speculate about the "hanky". gkhouston Oct 2012 #282

I do not beleive he was trying to be secretive with the hanky toss - and why a toss? hexola Oct 2012 #273

Not openly, but it was sly. Nonchalant in a studied way. allrevvedup Oct 2012 #275

Rachel Maddow covered this and said it was a handkerchief which she showed him using. Not to jenmito Oct 2012 #284

So what's to stop Romney from doing it again, with similar results? allrevvedup Oct 2012 #285

This is not whining about Obama's performance at the debate marciasw Oct 2012 #286

I don't think he did it in the first place. They both had papers that they wrote on. jenmito Oct 2012 #287

Okay. But he did something. allrevvedup Oct 2012 #288

I disagree. jenmito Oct 2012 #289

I understand. I watched it on C-SPAN allrevvedup Oct 2012 #291

Well... jenmito Oct 2012 #292

A better word might be "gaming." allrevvedup Oct 2012 #301

First time I've seen this particular close-up view of the hankie that really wasn't just a hankie. nc4bo Oct 2012 #290

Romney's ideas deserve to have snot blown all over them. n/t GallopingGhost Oct 2012 #307