Previously some one mentioned that handlers came out and cleaned the Kerry podium quickly.
If they did I don't know if it would have mattered. There were tablets and pen placed by staff so it wouldn't matter what they took away. It could have appeared as though it was the notes Kerry was taking during the debate.
As I viewed the beginning over and over. It seemed Kerry'a eyes checked whatever he had just put down during Lehrer's reading of the first question.