# Bush's Back Bulge: Tinfoil hat, or shenanigans? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 8, 2004, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184 "2004-10-08T12:45:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/61 "2004-10-08T19:22:21Z")
Yeah. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/62 "2004-10-08T20:31:16Z")
From [ur], 10/8/04: > [@](#): > > [Salon.com](http://Salon.com) [[http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2004/10/08/bulge/index\_np.html](http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2004/10/08/bulge/index_np.html)] reports that Bush had a radio receiver taped to his back during the first debate so he could receive messages via a tiny hearing-aid-like device in his ear. They back this up with a photo. I have no way of verifying the story, but the Commission on Presidential Debates has verified that one of the rules of engagement the Bush campaign insisted on was no camera shots of the candidates from behind (which one of the pool cameras did anyway). This story is either investigative journalism at its best or wishful thinking. If you are not a [Salon.com](http://Salon.com) subscriber, you have to sign up for a free day pass to read the full story. > > I obtained a copy of the debate video and the Red Hawk image intensification software (developed for NASA), which combines multiple images into a sharper image and then had the contrast enhanced with Photoshop. Other than cropping and resizing of the image, no other manipulation was done. I stand 100% behind the fact that this image [[http://www.electoral-vote2.com/images/bulge.jpg](http://www.electoral-vote2.com/images/bulge.jpg)] was taken from the debate video, independently confirming the [Salon.com](http://Salon.com) photo, but interpretation is up to you. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/63 "2004-10-08T20:32:43Z")
Sorry, that quote was from [http://www.electoral-vote.com/](http://www.electoral-vote.com/). ---
**Author:** ![SparrowHawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac8455/32.png) [@SparrowHawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SparrowHawk)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/64 "2004-10-08T20:37:10Z")
Maybe it’s just a _really_ bad suit. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/65 "2004-10-08T20:39:43Z")
A bullet proof vest, maybe? I haven’t bothered to look at the so-called evidence here as it doesn’t seem to prove anything one way or the other, but I’ve noticed bulges in the back of Bush’s suits before and wondered if perhaps they were caused by bullet proof vests. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/66 "2004-10-08T20:44:06Z")
> [@Starving Artist](#): > > A bullet proof vest, maybe? > > I haven’t bothered to look at the so-called evidence here as it doesn’t seem to prove anything one way or the other, but I’ve noticed bulges in the back of Bush’s suits before and wondered if perhaps they were caused by bullet proof vests. Gosh, if only that hadn’t been mentioned multiple times in this thread, it would almost look like you’ve bothered to read everyone’s posts. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/67 "2004-10-08T20:47:45Z")
Why would the President of the United States use a 1980’s style, ferret-sized receiver, when anybody can go buy a wireless earpiece reciever that fits completely within the ear? But this is a matter of _crucial_ importance! The ever-diligent Left needs to pursue this matter to its conclusion. Ya, you should probably get some 527s to get some ads up on this topic. You need to spend time, money, and effort to reveal what is really going on. Only then can the truth come out! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/68 "2004-10-08T20:51:52Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > Why would the President of the United States use a 1980’s style, ferret-sized receiver, when anybody can go buy a wireless earpiece reciever that fits completely within the ear? If only, somewhere, some post in this thread had made this point! Oh yeah– **it was in the O Fucking P**. Sheesh, people. Not every question is a conspiracy waiting to happen. I was satisfied with the Vest explanation, once **Tiger** pointed out that the vest could fasten in the back. I am, however, awed at **Starving Artist’s** ability to gauge the value of the evidence (“it doesn’t seem to prove anything”) without “bother[ing] to look at” it. You should see if the [AP has room for any more psychics](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=279891) on staff. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/69 "2004-10-08T20:52:25Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > Why would the President of the United States use a 1980’s style, ferret-sized receiver, when anybody can go buy a wireless earpiece reciever that fits completely within the ear? For that matter, why would he need an earpiece? Has something gone wrong with the implanted control-transceivers in his brain? (If so, that would explain a lot . . .) ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/70 "2004-10-08T20:53:46Z")
Maybe Charlie Gibson should make that one of his questions tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/71 "2004-10-08T20:55:36Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > If only, somewhere, some post in this thread had made this point! And when it is answered to my satisfaction, we can stop bringing it up. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/72 "2004-10-08T20:56:44Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > And when it is answered to my satisfaction, we can stop bringing it up. The hell are you talking about? I brought it up in my OP as one of the two reasons why I thought the “transmitter” theory was ridiculous. What more of an answer do you want? Daniel ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/73 "2004-10-08T20:57:06Z")
[Here](http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/fwd/20041001/capt.fwd101b20041001jpg.jpg)’s anothe angle, for what it’s worth. It doesn’t dismiss anything though. It does highlight some horrible posture though. ---
**Author:** ![Tigers2B1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc29f/32.png) [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/74 "2004-10-08T21:03:20Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > [Here](http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/fwd/20041001/capt.fwd101b20041001jpg.jpg)’s anothe angle, for what it’s worth. It doesn’t dismiss anything though. It does highlight some horrible posture though. Isn’t that a wire coming out of Bush’s pant leg? ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/75 "2004-10-08T21:04:05Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > The hell are you talking about? I brought it up in my OP as one of the two reasons why I thought the “transmitter” theory was ridiculous. What more of an answer do you want? > > Daniel Don’t be so thin-skinned and start a tin-foil brigade thread. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/76 "2004-10-08T21:04:36Z")
> [@Tigers2B1](#): > > Isn’t that a wire coming out of Bush’s pant leg? Actually, he got **that** made wireless, too. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Tigers2B1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc29f/32.png) [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/77 "2004-10-08T21:07:22Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > Actually, he got **that** made wireless, too. > > Daniel No, look between the back of Bush’s shoes. It looks like a wire that travels about six inches and then goes into the stage floor. Bush probably had some sort of release mechanism for after the debate. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/78 "2004-10-08T21:08:46Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Gosh, if only that hadn’t been mentioned multiple times in this thread, it would almost look like you’ve bothered to read everyone’s posts. My, my, my…we have got our panties in a bunch today, haven’t we? I have seen countless times when people have posted to a thread when it’s obvious they haven’t scrutinized the entire thing. If you can show me somewhere in the rules where one is prohibited from voicing his opinion without checking first to see if someone else has already voiced it, I would be happy to read it. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/79 "2004-10-08T21:15:47Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > I am, however, awed at **Starving Artist’s** ability to gauge the value of the evidence (“it doesn’t seem to prove anything”) without “bother[ing] to look at” it. You should see if the [AP has room for any more psychics](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=279891) on staff. > > Daniel You are most likely awed at a lot of things in life. However, in regard to what I said, it was obvious from the fact that the matter was still up for discussion that the cite didn’t prove anything. Sorry to interrupt your little Bush-bashing party. You may now return to your regularly scheduled espousal of inanity. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184/80 "2004-10-08T21:16:58Z")
Going for the Quasimodo vote. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-back-bulge-tinfoil-hat-or-shenanigans/268184.md?page=5)