No One Besides Kerry Was Bugging Bush in the First Debate, Aides Say

Campaign aides Saturday laughed off Internet speculation about whether President Bush was wired to get help from advisors during his first debate with Sen. John F. Kerry.

“It’s not true. It’s ridiculous,” Bush campaign spokesman Scott Stanzel said.

A photo from TV footage of Bush as he debated Kerry on Sept. 30 in Coral Gables, Fla., appears to show a small, boxy shape between the president’s shoulder blades.

Campaign officials declined to discuss it further, saying they did not want to appear to take a “wild accusation” seriously.

“There was nothing under his suit jacket,” the New York Times quoted Bush campaign communications director Nicolle Devenish as saying. It was a pucker along a seam, the Seattle Times quoted Bush’s tailor as saying.

Bloggers and others began to muse on various websites that the bulge could have been a radio receiver that Bush aides could use to give him answers. One website, www.isbushwired.com, is devoted solely to the matter.

“Some people have been spending too many hours looking at left-wing conspiracy websites,” Stanzel said. “Did you hear the one about Elvis moderating the third debate?”