No way in HELL that is a "pen".
He wasn't alllowed to bring a pen either. Pens were already layed out wiht paper on podium beforehand.
Section 5, pages 4-5 of the binding "Memorandum of Understanding" that was negotiated and agreed upon by both political campaigns states:
"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..."
its not a pen!
Close up pics of Kerry's "notes" / Jeff Head -- http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1234255/posts