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..."
Precisely. Kerry still violated the rules of the debate when he took ANYTHING out of his pocket and put it on the podium. Not earthshaking, but it was a blatant violation of the rules.