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Body Language To Watch For In Debates
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Monday, October 5, 2009
Obama on Health Care Reform Means More Jobs: Voice Analysis
President Barack Obama says passage of his health care proposals would create new jobs by making small business startups more affordable. (Oct. 3)
One of the things that stand out to me- as someone who analyzes the President often- He is tired and there appears to be a lack of intensity you normally see in his eyes. He was NOT EXCITED at all during the conversation and he appears to speak freely about all issues. He was not thinking too intensely when speaking. He becomes most unsure of his words when speaking about the future and/or referencing the small businesses.
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Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Politicians Game: Watch How She Does Not Directly Answer The Question
September 22, 2009
Attorney General, Baroness Scotland being interviewed by ITNNews
The Attorney General, Baroness Scotland, says she "absolutely accepts" she should have been fined for not copying documents.
At 1:40 she is asked a question, of which she does not answer. What she does do is end up repeating many of the things she has just said to the first reporter.
This is one of the oldest tricks in the Politician's crafty book. When asked a question, without any regard to the content of the question, they will make their statement.
She has a sentence or two that has been well crafted to accept responsibility for not copying the document, implying that it was more of an administrative error than being outside the compliance of the laws of the county of which she is responsible for enforcing.◦
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Andre Bauer, South Carolina's Lieutenant Governor Rumor that He is Gay
While I agree with the Lieutenant Governor that it is a silly question; and the rumor and the validity of it normally would not have bearing on being good at your job... Unfortunately when you choose to be a politician everything becomes fair game. I'm not from South Carolina and do not know what party either the Lieutenant Governor or Governor Sanford are from. I do know they both are slinging stones at each other. Good ole Politics...
When asked about rumors about the gay "smear" campaign he says, "I don’t really think a proper question. I think it’s a little bit ridiculous and it’s sad that politics has gotten to that. But if somebody had a question I didn't have a problem going ahead and hearing it and getting it out of the way because I don't want it to linger, much like this other problem is lingering. I want to move forward. I want to talk about real issues, how to get improved job growth. How you get education to a better level than it is now, how you fix the budget problem that we've got — not continue to dwell on some silly question in the first place. … [By answering the question] I sure hope it ends the issue. … I don't want to continue to have to hear about it."
What he doesn't do is answer the question, this is an area of concern to me.
In fact he states, "But if somebody had a question I didn't have a problem going ahead and hearing it and getting it out of the way because I don't want it to linger, much like this other problem is lingering." where he only says he is willing to hear it but doesn't say he will address or answer it.
I am wondering how he will avoid the question from lingering if he does not address it at some point?◦
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Who is More Powerful?
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key imeets the Premier of Victoria John Brumby at the Victorian State Government Dinner at the Investment Centre, Collins Street on August 18, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. Key is on a 2 day visit to Victoria, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
I have to admit I have never seen either of these two gentlemen before, but one thing I know is the person photographed on the left is the more powerful.
Whomever is on the left in a photograph appears more powerful and better.
See how the handshake between the two places one person in the lead position? We can see more of the hand of the person on the left.
People who have been trained in body language and are in the public eye often will jockey for this position.◦
Virginia Rep. Tom Perriello Holds Contentious Town Hall...
FORK UNION, VA - AUGUST 17: U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA) listens during a town hall meeting on universal health care at Fluvanna Middle School August 17, 2009 in Fork Union, Virginia. Congressional members from across the country have returned to their own district to listen to voters' opinions on healthcare reform. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
This is interesting. Does he look confident? Is he happy? Is he paying close attention? Is he comfortable?
Answers: NO, NO, YES, NO.
Holding a pen- props give comfort. Arms closed and fold in front of him- creating a barrier and giving himself comfort. The angle of his face is downward, which is not a high confidence posture.
One of the hardest things for politicians to learn, and practice, is to always remain in a high confidence pose regardless of what is going on around you. It is human nature to mimic emotion and for politicians it is twice fold because in many ways they attempt to be a chameleon and agree with what is being said; We have all seen those uncomfortable moments when a politician is being confronted by a non supporter and for several seconds he/she agrees with the non supporter until the brain catches up with what is going on.
What people remember: the first part of the speech/meeting; the last part of the speech/meeting; and any highly emotional incident- it is important for the politican to be a confident leader during these times and make the most of their body language, tone, and image.◦
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Heated Town Hall Meeting Yesterday with Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) in Hagerstown, Maryland
Whenever there are high emotions, it automatically becomes a high stakes situation. In high stakes situations you can see more true emotions.
Take a look at the video.
Here are some of the things I see:
See the naughty finger rise up?
See the freezing as he cognitively figures out how to deal with the crowd?
See the pursed lips? He doesn't want to speak.
See the fake smile?
See the increased eye blinking the second time he is asked the question?
See him lick his lips, which is a pacifying behavior used to provide comfort to himself?
See the steppling with his hands? This is a confidence gesture.
See the woman hold her hands up in a gesture used to quiet the audience?
See him hold his hands up pleading for the audience "to wait" and give him a chance?
See the movement of his fingers in a self soothing manner?
See him back off the podium?
See the real genuine smile when he says that he realizes there will be areas where they will disagree?
See the subtle anger in the eyebrows?
See him quickly exit?
Amazing what you can see in several short minutes...◦
Saturday, August 8, 2009
How Many Senators Showing Fig Leafs Are Needed To Make a Tree?
Aug 6 2009
WASHINGTON - AUGUST 06: Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) talks to reporters after the Senate confirmed judge Sonia Sotomayor making her the next Supreme Court Justice, on Capitol Hill August 6, 2009 in Washington, DC. Also standing with Senator Leahy is Sen. Susan Collins (D-ME) (L).Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) (L), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)(2nd-L), Sen. Leahy (4th-L), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY)(5th-L), Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) (4th-R), Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) (3rd-R), Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-DE) (2nd-R) and Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) (R). (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
What Senator wouldn't want a photo opportunity on after an historic vote to place Sonia Sotomayor on the Supreme Court.
Many people stand with their hands folded in front of their private parts
because they’re comfortable standing like that or that they simply don’t know what to do with their hands. Subconsciously they could be feeling threatened and looking for a position that offers protection.◦
Friday, July 17, 2009
What Are You Saying?
Jun 23 2009
WASHINGTON - JUNE 23: White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel (C) listens to U.S. President Barack Obama during a news conference in the James S. Brady Briefing Room at the White House June 23, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama was expected to discuss the high cost of health care, energy independence and the post-election disputes in Iran. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
What does this pic say? I would love to know what the President is talking about at this exact moment. All his advisers have pierced together lips, meaning they do not like what is being said. Emanuel is showing a large about of stress and concern in his forehead, he looks like a parent who is attempting to get the kids to settle down from the other side of the room- that stare that parents can deliver that stops kids in their tracks.◦
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Obama Show Authority in Subtle Ways
L'AQUILA, ITALY - JULY 08: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (L) and US President Barack Obama (R) greet one another at the Guardia Di Finanza School of Coppito on July 8, 2009 in L'Aquila, Italy. World leaders attending the G8 summit are expected to discuss tackling world hunger and the global reduction of greenhouse gases. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)
When another person places their hand on another's back, guiding them, it is a dominant expression of power. The office of the President of the United States signifies power and authority. When running for election, Obama, a master of gestures, used this quite effectively to appear "presidential" and a leader.◦
Friday, July 10, 2009
Photo Ops for World Leaders
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (R) greets U.S. President Barack Obama as he arrives for a round table session at the G8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy on July 8, 2009. (UPI Photo/Alex Volgin) Photo via Newscom
Leaders always want to be photographed on the left hand side of the picture, long ago it was learned that those on the left look more powerful and in control of the situation. Sometimes it can be funny how they jockey for position.
Obama likes to get in close to those he is being photographed with; I believe it is to create a sense of 'we're friends' and I also believe it has contributed to his rock star appeal and charisma. This sometimes doesn't work with other world leaders and in cultures where there is more distance between individuals greeting each other, and can lead to awkward moments.◦
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Wow, Wow! Wow! Sarah Palin Quits!!!
Because it is the holiday I'm not going to go into all the gory details now... but I'll tell you there is a big story behind this. I'll also wait for the others to do the voice analysis, but I can tell you when I did it it was off the charts. She most likely is not going into politics, I'd bet my last dollar on that.◦
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Analysis of South Carolina's Governor, Mark Sanford's Press Conference
Role analysis, I believe he is truly sorry for what has happened, but why is he sorry? Is it for his family, for his friend, for his career/job? After reviewing the tape this is the order of importance:
1)Friends
2)Career/Job
3)Family
I based this on his emotional level as he is speaking about these things. Generally there could be a build up as the speech goes on, but in this speech if I had to rank the emotional level it would be 3 for family, 7 for friend, and 5 for job.
00:58 Eye Blocking, is a nonverbal behavior that can occur when we feel
threatened and/or don’t like what we see. In this case he doesn't like seeing the reporters and the media.
01:18 Looking Down, Shame. People who are feeling ashamed, embarrassed, or sad, deliberately look away. Shame is a negative emotion occurring when we evaluate things as going worse than we expected.
01:55 Slight Lip Lick (see below).
01:59 Microexpression Subtle, Sadness, in mouth only.
Generally he doesn't want to look straight ahead.
02:14 Lip Lick, is a pacifying behavior (often referred to as an adapter in academia literature) serving to calm us down after we experience something unpleasant or downright nasty.
03:00 More emotional when speaking about his friend than about his wife and family.
03:47 Lip Lick, pacifying behavior.
05:20 More comfortable speaking about faith, looking more straight on. This is odd because there should be some shame or emotion to convey he is in turmoil with his faith and what he has done. I believe this is a sign that is is most sorry for being caught.
06:15 Eyes Down, Shame.
07:26 Full Shoulder Shrug, this needs to be evaluated in the context of what is being said. The shrug is a universal gesture that is used to show that a person does not know or understand what you are talking about. In this case he doesn't know how this will end.
07:46 Expel Air, Relief.
08:11 Lip Lick, pacifying behavior.
08:20 Becoming more emotional over resignation (not of his governorship).
Voice Analysis
Final Analysis
It appears because of his emotional level, and his conversation with his father-in-law two weeks prior, that his marriage was in extreme jeopardy before this getaway. His last conversation with his father-in-law was not as civil as he portrays it in this speech. Due to his high emotional response when speaking of his friend and political partner, he had higher aspirations than just Governor. I believe he does not want his wife speaking to the media. It may also be that he wanted to get "caught" if his marriage was over, this could have been orchestrated to be as sensational as it was, to control the revelation, gain the upper hand, and receive national exposure. It would have been very messy if this was a drawn out divorce, that his career would not be able to handle. His resignation (not of the state) is an attempt to convey punishment.◦
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