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OK, this response by MSNBC's VP for Communications Jeremy Gaines does nothing to clear this up and actually raises more doubts about that ghostly whisper.

"We had some audio issues and Gov. Romney's mike wasn't working momentarily. Simple as that," MSNBC VP for Communications Jeremy Gaines said in a one-line e-mail response to questions about overheard whisper.

So how did a malfunctioning mic whisper a little help to Romney? Wonkette has a theory...

What exactly was that weird, whispery voice we heard between last night’s question to Mitt about Reagan and Social Security and Romney’s answer? Either Ronald Reagan is giving help from beyond the grave or Mitt was wearing a wire.

AmericaBlog: Romney's creepy earpiece

During Gov. Romney's speech, one of his handlers mentioned to one of our staff people that any time Gov. Romney needed to wrap things up, he would be happy to let Gov. Romney know through the ear-piece that he wore.