![](../../std/masthead/nyt.gif) October 9, 2004 WASHINGTON,
Oct. 8 - What was that bulge in the
back of President Bush's suit jacket (right)
at the presidential debate in Miami last
week?
According to rumors racing across the Internet
this week, the rectangular bulge visible between
Mr. Bush's shoulder blades was a radio receiver,
getting answers from an offstage counselor into a
hidden presidential earpiece. The prime suspect was
Karl Rove, Mr. Bush's powerful political
adviser. When the online magazine Salon published
an article about the rumors on Friday [October
8, 2004], the speculation reached such a pitch
that White House and campaign officials were
inundated with calls. First they said that pictures showing the bulge
might have been doctored. But then, when the bulge
turned out to be clearly visible in the television
footage of the evening, they offered a different
explanation. "There was nothing under his suit jacket," said
Nicolle Devenish, a campaign
spokeswoman. "It was most likely a rumpling of that portion
of his suit jacket, or a wrinkle in the
fabric." Ms. Devenish could not say why the "rumpling"
was rectangular. Nor was the bulge from a bulletproof vest,
according to campaign and White House officials;
they said Mr. Bush was not wearing one.![](../../std/dings/square.gif) |