[gilliam]

'was there a prohibition on taking notes'?

answer:

Section 5, pages 4-5 of the binding "Memorandum of Understanding" that was negotiated and agreed upon by both political campaigns states:

"No props, notes, charts, diagrams, or other writings or other tangible things may be brought into the debate by either candidate.... Each candidate must submit to the staff of the Commission prior to the debate all such paper and any pens or pencils with which a candidate may wish to take notes during the debate, and the staff or commission will place such paper, pens and pencils on the podium..."

[jpw01]

Looks as though there may be a bit of a problem for Kerry then, doesn't it?

Does this take the heat off Dan Rather?

[mewzilla]

Each candidate must submit to the staff of the Commission prior to the debate all such paper and any pens or pencils with which a candidate may wish to take notes during the debate, and the staff or commission will place such paper, pens and pencils on the podium..."

They'd better check Kerry's cuffs for the next two.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Section 5, pages 4-5 of the binding "Memorandum of Understanding" that was negotiated and agreed upon by both political campaigns states:

But afterwards the Democrats said they didn't actually sign the MOU so therefore it was void.