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According to the New York Times, Warren assured the audience that “ we have safely placed Senator McCain in a cone of silence ” and that he could not hear the questions.

However, McCain was not in the building at the time ; he was still in transit, without supervision by the forum staff .< REF NAME =" NYT-cone "> Despite Assurances, McCain Wasn ’ t in a ‘ Cone of Silence ’, August 17, 2008, New York Times .</ ref > According to CNN, Warren said " we flat out asked him " if he heard any of the questions.

The McCain campaign asserted " that McCain did not hear or see any of the broadcast " in the motorcade or after he arrived.

The accusation provoked the McCain campaign into writing a letter to NBC News, complaining of biased news coverage.

The dispute expanded, including reports on other networks such as CBS noting that there were allegations McCain had access to " communications devices " which may have advised him of the questions even if he was not listening directly to the broadcast itself .< REF NAME =" CBS "> McCain's " Cone Of Silence " At Saddleback, August 18, 2008, CBS News .</ ref >