• by October 11, 2004

Was President Bush wired to enable aides to whisper in his ear during last week's town hall-style presidential debates, or not?

What gives?

News wires and blogs are buzzing with speculation that Bush was tethered to advisers via a small device that appeared to protrude from the back of his suit jacket. Still photos taken from the debate in St. Louis reveal a bit of a bump between Bush's shoulder blades. Anti-Bush forces believe that the president's improved performance during the second debate might be attributed to the wire.

Today, a Bush campaign spokesman told the Associated Press that the speculation was "ridiculous." And Mark McKinnon, media director for the Bush campaign, denied the use of any communication device. Campaign aides have declined to elaborate on the matter; they don't want to add fuel to the fire.

The Web site, www.isbushwired.com, is described as a "clearinghouse for discussion of whether President Bush uses an earpiece through which he's fed lines and cues by offstage advisers." The blog goes further to suggest: "His speech rhythms suggest this, as do some of his word choices and interjections, and his constantly shifting eye movements while speaking."

In case the campaign staff's incredulity wasn't enough, President Bush's tailor weighed in on the matter. Georges de Paris, who made the president's suit, attributed the slight bulge to a pucker along the jacket's back seam. The pucker was accentuated when he crossed his arms and leaned forward. Poor Georges. I'm sure his work is flawless. Interesting that he's French; Bush employs a French tailor.

I guess the political strain between France and the U.S. doesn't extend to dry goods - phew.