I taped the debate and Kerry slickly took something from his pocket. It is absolutely clear that after he waved to the audience and as he was turning his back to the audience to take his place behind the podium, he slipped his hand inside his breast pocket and smoothly (and practiced) took something out and placed it on his podium.
It was really slick. What he didn't expect was a camera behind him that caught him with his back to the crowd and taking something from his pocket. IT IS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR FOR ALL TO SEE.
The Prez gave the last statement at the end of the debate and the camera (FOX) was off Kerry, so I couldn't see what he did with the paper at the end.
According to another poster, aides to both candidates came up and cleared off their respective lecterns after the debate.
I bet there is a feed somewhere of Kerry during Bush's summation.
You are right that what Kerry did was practiced, which only goes to show the pathological nature of doing something so outrageous in full public view. He is far too narcissistic to be in charge of the free world. This is a small but nevertheless very telling insight into his abject incompetence for the office which he seeks.