Mystery solved? Debate whisper came from … audience member caught on open mike; Update: Second whisper?
posted at 8:16 pm on January 25, 2008 by Allahpundit
I thought it was Brian Williams prompting Russert but Williams says it’s news to him. Raw Story contacted NBC and got the runaround — open mike, mysterious voice, no way to know, we’re working on it. But the secret deleted post at the NBC politics blog has since been restored, with something new to chew on. Can it be? The man on the grassy knoll is … some know-it-all wonk mumbling to himself in the audience?
*** UPDATE *** After reviewing the tapes, NBC determined that an open mic picked up a whisper from the audience. It is unclear who it is that says it, but it was not said by any of the candidates, was not heard in the hall and, more importantly, not heard by the candidates.
Romney responded so quickly I felt for sure he’d heard it and had jumped in to preempt the rest of the question. Pretty awesome that he knew where Russert was going without any further information.
Update: Hmm.
Update (Bryan): I have to say, I think this “second whisper” is insane. Yeah, there’s a whisper there but for someone to make anything nefarious out of it is a real stretch. This was a live debate. You have mics all over the place in that auditorium, including at least two that are pretty much always hot. They’re the ones attached to the moderators. Plus the four on the stage and whatever others there are add up to a lot of potential sound sources. That one or two might catch a stray whisper, probably between one or both of the moderators and someone giving them a cue or trying to get their attention for some reason, ought not surprise anyone. Apparently it does though.
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thats because Romney is awesome!
I hope Michele is going to give McCain he!! at CPAC!
ctmom on January 25, 2008 at 8:20 PM
Romney’s rules of debate:
“For every whisper I will kick Huckabee in the nuts.”
McCain’s look after the Paul question was priceless. It was like: “Who the hell are you??”
CABE on January 25, 2008 at 8:21 PM
That was not just a random live mic in the audience unless somebody was intentionally speaking into it from very close range. It could have been one of the reporters they wired to ask a question, but the accent seems off.
Big S on January 25, 2008 at 8:21 PM
thats because Romney is awesome???
Dorvillian on January 25, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Maybe it was Hugh Hewitt, using the Force to communicate with Mitt. So powerful that it came up on the recording.
Wineaholic on January 25, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Luke…
ColdBore76 on January 25, 2008 at 8:28 PM
It would have been so much funnier if they had whispered “… I see dead people.”
ErikTheRed on January 25, 2008 at 8:31 PM
We’re reduced to believing a Brian Williams denial? How far we have fallen. OTOH, I understand we are desperately searching for someone we can believe about something. But, Williams?
a capella on January 25, 2008 at 8:32 PM
And yet another Republican conspiracy bites the dust. Wonder what our friends on the left have to say about this?
Troika37 on January 25, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Karl Rove whispered it!
Rode Werk on January 25, 2008 at 8:36 PM
If a candidate responded to a debate question as poorly as MSNBC has done with this issue, and flip flopped on the reason as many times as they have, they would make that candidate a laughing stock and never let them live it down.
Buy Danish on January 25, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Maybe it was the spirit of Fred Thompson.
infidel65 on January 25, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Nice job Hotair! I know you were real close to try to stick that comment on McCain. Again you have been disproven. Man, how many times do I correct you.
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 25, 2008 at 8:41 PM
The odds of MSNBC having what would surely have to be a powerful directional mic aimed right at somebody that just happened to whisper the perfect prompting/follow up reminder for Russert’s question would boggle Jimmy the Greek’s mind. They would likely be using a much broader general crowd mic to pick up audience reaction as a whole.
I have no idea if it was Brian Williams, it sounded more to me like an aid or producer prompting Russert.
I said on the other thread that MSNBC would deny this to make sure their moonbat base didn’t get wind of the fact that the inquisitors were being helped with the questions. I’ve rethought that a bit and have decided the wouldn’t care if those folks knew since they would just cheer on any badgering of Republicans. I think it’s strictly the vanity of Russert and Williams that they don’t want anyone to know they don’t do this all on their own.
RW_theoriginal on January 25, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Romney was all over that like a duck on a junebug, cutting Russert off faster than kudzu after a gully washer.
/perot
Cuffy Meigs on January 25, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Exactly. Also, I think I can pick up aspiration on the mic from whoever said it, although it could be some electronic interference. If it is aspiration, that means it;s probably someone with a headset, like a producer.
Big S on January 25, 2008 at 8:48 PM
The Whispers.
Rock steady, Mitt.
ROMNEY-RUDY 2008.
profitsbeard on January 25, 2008 at 8:48 PM
It’s NBC. They timed a phantom whisper at that point and if Romney didn’t know the answer, they could hurt him on that and if he does know the answer, they stir up a scandal that he had a helper.
I’m almost positive that the applause that came after Russert’s comments about the war not worth the price in blood was from planted audience members because they all started applauding at the same split second as if cued to begin their applause after a particular word and the applause stayed the same volume until it ended. If it was real, it would have begun with a smattering of applause and got louder. It wasn’t natural. Russert even had the word “please” in the script at that point and maybe even said “please” before the applause that he knew was coming actually started.
Buddahpundit on January 25, 2008 at 8:50 PM
Big S,
The other thing that I thought it could’ve been was a lapel mic that Williams and/or Russert would have on that would use the feed to the other’s earpiece, but that would get tricky for the soundboard since they would have to make sure they cut the main mic for Williams every time Russert was speaking and vice/versa.
RW_theoriginal on January 25, 2008 at 8:57 PM
Just as bad as the mysterious whisper at the debate,
the tone in which the questions were asked was bad as well!
canopfor on January 25, 2008 at 8:58 PM
I listened 4 times. What the heck am I supposed to hear?
EJDolbow on January 25, 2008 at 9:03 PM
On the “second whisper”, does anyone hear what the person’s saying?
Big S on January 25, 2008 at 9:05 PM
What second whisper? I didn’t hear any second whisper.
SoulGlo on January 25, 2008 at 9:07 PM
Sorry … I have to, even though it makes me sick. Throw tomatoes at me if you must.
thirteen28 on January 25, 2008 at 9:08 PM
The second whisper….sounded like it came from the grassy knoll.
JonRoss on January 25, 2008 at 9:09 PM
The second echo sounds like an echo from one of the other mics.
Rode Werk on January 25, 2008 at 9:12 PM
Objectively, this can only help Huckabee.
sulla on January 25, 2008 at 9:15 PM
He says “new legislation” then the “whisper” then he repeats “new legislation”. So what’s the whisper supposed to be instruction Romney to say?
p0s3r on January 25, 2008 at 9:15 PM
The second video comes from a YouTuber than only joined today and has only uploaded that one video. And I didn’t hear a whisper that time.
amerpundit on January 25, 2008 at 9:18 PM
It seems like an appropriate time to link this.
Big S on January 25, 2008 at 9:19 PM
I can’t here it either. Plus, the video is misleading in my opinion. Romney didn’t “rephrase” his response as the video suggests, but rather reiterated his stance on the issue in order to make it clear. It’s called repetition and it tends to work as a rhetorical tactic.
Who did this come from? Another lefty blog looking for another conspiracy? A McCain supporter?
bert169 on January 25, 2008 at 9:20 PM
Mitt has my vote in Florida. Martinez you better watch your butt
custer on January 25, 2008 at 9:20 PM
I didn’t hear him rephrase anything, only repeat what he said. Frankly, I can’t even make out the whisper.
amerpundit on January 25, 2008 at 9:21 PM
That is the best I have ever heard Hillary Clinton sound. Amazing.
lan astaslem on January 25, 2008 at 9:24 PM
Even when she’s not saying anything her eyes just scream, “eat hot death, wingnuts!”
sulla on January 25, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Is there any such thing as mass schizophrenia?
I have read studies that show when a group of women work together for a long time their menstrual cycles become synchronized.
Is it possible that the Ron Paul special brand of schizophrenia has now done the same thing?
EJDolbow on January 25, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Ok, lets settle this. It was me. Sorry for all the hubub. I was playing cards and Mitt misheard me and thought I said “too blave”, which we all know means “too bluff” and so I was just trying to win a really big hand. REALLY BIG. So, you know, it’s all good.
franklinstein on January 25, 2008 at 10:11 PM
if you listen to it backwards it says NBC hates America
Mojack420 on January 25, 2008 at 10:51 PM
psss…
remember,
Romney’s Mormon.
Huckabee is Christian
bains on January 25, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Why does Willard get more questions and times than the other candidates?
I guess it pays to pay..
The Rich can buy Power, only in America.
Chakra Hammer on January 25, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Parody folks…
bains on January 25, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Flip-Willard, i’ll take my waffles with less lies.
Danke!
Chakra Hammer on January 25, 2008 at 11:11 PM
This thread is….ah…Allah, you just love stirring that pot don’t you. Verry kool.
jerrytbg on January 25, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Biggest non-story of the week. Does anyone think Romney is dumb enough to have plants in the audience whispering to him so he can change his answers? There would be no way he could hear them on stage, especially while he is talking. He is the last candidate that would need this anyway as he is always very well prepared.
echosyst on January 25, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Sounds like an echo to me.
krakatoa on January 25, 2008 at 11:41 PM
We have a winner!
TX Mom on January 26, 2008 at 12:05 AM
I wonder why Romney’s Mormonism is an issue with some, while Harry Reid’s is never brought up. (Of course, that piece of wasted protoplasm has issues by the truckload other than that.)
michaelo on January 26, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Yes, Harry Reid is a Mormon in Nevada..
The same state that Mitt won.. coincidence?
I think not.
Chakra Hammer on January 26, 2008 at 1:04 AM
IF mitt gets nominated and thats a big “IF”, then we will all have to spend the next year going though Mormon sensitivity training, and be forced to defend his “weird” beliefs.. and YES! Some of them are WEIRD!
Google “The Book of Mormon”
IF you want to defend, golden plates, Mormon underwear, the Garden of Eden in Missouri, strange things about Indians.. feel free.. I’m not up to it.
Chakra Hammer on January 26, 2008 at 1:13 AM
Charka, My family roots are Mormon; my great-grandmother, third wife of 4, is a minor figure in Mormon history. You don’t have to tell me about how weird some of their beliefs are.
But they are their beliefs. It is not for me to defend them, but their right to participate in the political process without persecution for them. Their beliefs threaten no one and I have found most Mormons live pretty normal lives and have strong families.
And, in Romney’s case as in Reid’s case, their religion does NOT define them. Their political records and positions are what matter.
michaelo on January 26, 2008 at 1:52 AM
You are childish.
Look, just because unsubstantiated accusations ring your bell and sets you off, does not mean it does for the rest of us. Those silly buzz words you use do nothing for those of us who study the issues. You are trying to reach an audience that does not exist at HA. You need to run over to KOS, or the romper room site.
Around here, we study our candidates.
csdeven on January 26, 2008 at 2:22 AM
Please stop attacking my religious beliefs. If you have a problem with Mitt Romney’s political positions then that’s fine, but attacking his religion (my religion) is really low. I consider myself a Christian as I’m sure you consider yourself one. Mormons had to deal with religious persecution (Google “Lilburn Boggs Extermination Order”) from a lot of bigots. Surely we’ve grown a little as a society since then?
CABE on January 26, 2008 at 2:23 AM
And Harry Reid isn’t running for President now is he?
And I don’t care about your family, or their beliefs.
I’m a Republican WHY should I have to defend HIS beliefs, he’s sure to get attacked over it.. IF he can get past the multiple lies and flip-flops that seem hanitual at this point..
If a Scientologist were nominated would you defend his or her religion and all that wacky stuff about Xenu?
Uhh huh..
Xenu = Golden Plates IMHO
Chakra Hammer on January 26, 2008 at 2:42 AM
It’s not about defending someone’s religion it’s about respecting their right in believing whatever the hell they want.
I would have no problem voting for a Scientologist if he/she were conservative.
We’ve had Presidents with these religions: Anglican, Unitarian, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Baptist, Quaker, Catholic, and a Methodist.
Big deal.
CABE on January 26, 2008 at 2:47 AM
Then Mitt Romney Will Play the Religion card and NOT allow a well qualified Muslim into his cabinet based on a percentage of the US Population (Muslims are 1%)
My question to Mitt, will you hold the same religious quota upon Jewish people who hold the same percentage of the US population per the CIA World Factbook?
BTW, Mormons are at 2%
Chakra Hammer on January 26, 2008 at 2:50 AM
If Mitt would NOT Allow Muslims into his Cabinet based on a percentage of the US Population at 1%, then based on that religious discrimination, he cannot have any Jewish people in his cabinet either since they only hold 1% of the US population.
Chakra Hammer on January 26, 2008 at 2:55 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWR4zPOlqs8
Chakra Hammer on January 26, 2008 at 3:03 AM
US Population Per CIA World Factbook
Protestant 52%
Roman Catholic 24%
Mormon 2%
Jewish 1%
Muslim 1%
other 10%
none 10% (2002 est.)
———————–
So By Romney’s Standard’s An Atheist or Agnostic would have a better shot at a cabinet position than a Muslim or Jewish person since they hold 10% of the population.
Chakra Hammer on January 26, 2008 at 3:10 AM
Maybe Jennifer Love Hewitt was in the room. No wait, she was with me.
(Hey, if Scarlett Johansson can be “engaged” to Barack O, why not?)
Captain Scarlet on January 26, 2008 at 4:52 AM
As an atheist like the big AP, I have no patience with or give religion much room to maneuver. HOWEVER I’ve noticed more than a few very obvious displays of religious bigotry, and they seem to be A) more frequent and B) coming mainly from a very small cadre of new posters.
Freedom of religion is a basic fundamental right, on an equal level with freedom of speech and assembly.
I suggest that some posters here remember and respect that right.
If not, then I think a purge of some of our newer members is in order.
Jason Coleman on January 26, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Hey, Chakra- What kind of underwear do you wear? Boxers? Briefs? French cut? Thongs? This is really important information that I will use to evaluate your commentary so please let us know.
Thanks in advance.
Buy Danish on January 26, 2008 at 9:28 AM
You don’t have to have another mic pick it up if this is a well hidden ear piece (they do exist). All you need is for the control room to have this ‘backstage’ mic open for broadcast. There is a lot of earpiece communication going on in live TV – tons. It could have been a simple mistake in wirings or settings that allowed this ‘monitor’ speaker to come on when Mitt’s tie mic was active.
AJStrata
AJStrata on January 26, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I heard the second whisper came from the grassy knoll in the back of the auditorium.
highhopes on January 26, 2008 at 10:40 AM
OMG, they’re taking over both parties …
The vast Mormon conspiracy!
Chimp 6 on January 26, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Great vid. And her eyes DO scream that, a lot. The silent vid only makes it more obvious. LOLOL
inviolet on January 26, 2008 at 2:11 PM
There was a third whisper…”you are hearing voices, this isn’t real”
right2bright on January 26, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Remind me not to go to your blog in the future for sane analysis.
What about the possibility that it was Russert’s producer coaching him?
Buy Danish on January 26, 2008 at 4:12 PM
It is so obvious that Romney has a handler telling him what to say. What a fraud Romney is!
HaraldHardrada on January 26, 2008 at 4:30 PM
LIAR….LIAR.
I admit it; love that movie.
figured this was the case. How many times in the debates did the cadidates like Paul have to turn their heads and ask for the moderators to repeat a question. If they couldnt hear the normal voice questions how could they hear wispered voices.
Speaking of Paul.
are you sure your not one of his supporters and not the Hucksters? just saying…
CaptainObvious on January 26, 2008 at 5:11 PM
sshhhhsh, Hewitt is coaching Romney (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
second digit on January 26, 2008 at 5:28 PM
I flip-flop between Boxers and Briefs depending on the situation.
(Hanes or Fruit of the Loom)
When I’m sleeping it’s always Commando.
Chakra Hammer on January 26, 2008 at 5:58 PM