[freeperfromnj]

That whole weird handshake thing could have been a diversion. It was only seconds after that Kerry reached into his pocket. It appears that after he got that piece of paper settled onto the podium, he was looking down at it as though he were reading something and then started writing. The debate hadn't even started yet - what notes could he possibly have been writing?

[Fresh Wind]

A diversion. Yes, I think that explains it. If you watch the handshake carefully, Bush starts to break away, but Kerry wouldn't let go of his hand. All eyes are on Bush making himself look a foolish while Kerry focuses on getting out his notes.