Nonverbal Cues May Speak Louder Than Words

Washington Post: 3 Consultants Examine Democrats' Body Language During Wednesday's Debate

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Amy Argetsinger.

---

Tim Russert was pressing Hillary Rodham Clinton to answer a question she was trying to brush off, and three public-speaking coaches were riveted to the television.

"No, let me finish -- " Russert was saying early in Wednesday night's Democratic debate in New Hampshire.

"I know what the question is," Clinton said firmly. And she kept cutting him off until the moderator threw up his hands and let her answer her way.

Hours later, the consultants still couldn't get over the way Clinton won the rhetorical jujitsu against Russert, as they viewed it: with a steady gaze, a non-shrill tone, her left hand drawing an invisible line not to be crossed.

"If her voice had jumped up, or if she had made a quick cutting gesture, it would have been untoward," mused Seth Pendleton.

"She was showing patience with his lack of understanding," said John Neffinger.

Matt Kohut nodded. "It was masterful."

But . . . what was her answer again? Something about Israel and Syria? No one could remember. "It's the nonverbals," Pendleton said, laughing sheepishly, "that are endlessly fascinating here."

It's the "nonverbals" that the threesome, partners in a small, Washington-based consulting firm, KNP Communications, believe play a crucial role in how swing voters pick a candidate. They cite academic research in which average-Joe subjects predicted, with a startling level of accuracy, which candidate won a race after viewing only a brief, soundless clip of the pols in action. It's the soft science of first impressions and gut reactions -- not just what candidates say, but how they say it. Which ones convey warmth and strength with expansive gestures or a firm gaze; which ones undercut their messages with weakling posture or an untimely scowl.

In other words: Why Reagan beat Carter. Why Bill Clinton beat Dole.

The KNP guys -- Democrats unaffiliated with any of the 2008 presidential candidates -- earn their living loosening up CEOs and pols. They agreed to watch this week's debate with us to talk about who's got it when it comes to the nonverbals -- and who needs work.

HILLARY CLINTON
Her eye contact is strong, her movements deliberate but not wooden. "How much calmer is her voice than all these shouting senators?" marvels Neffinger.

The topic is local police who refuse to enforce immigration law. "I don't think there is any choice," she says, shaking her head. Pendleton likes the shake: "It helps punctuate what she's saying. If you nod, people nod with you."

But Clinton's always been adept at conveying strength. Warmth? Still a new thing for her. So the test comes at the moment when Clinton declares she opposes torture, even to cadge information about an imminent terror attack -- and Russert notes, gotcha!-style, that her husband disagrees.

"Well, he's not standing here right now," retorts Clinton, staring down Russert -- and then breaks out in a coy grin: "Well, I'll talk to him later."

"Damn!" exclaims Neffinger.

"The tone is, 'I'm the one wearing the pants now,' " says Pendleton. "But she rounds it out with a genuine smile. That's a skill, to weave in warmth and humor."

JOHN EDWARDS
He's blinking a lot -- is it the lights? -- and his smile seems forced. "He has a tendency to lose the smile as soon as he's made it," says Kohut. "It's not a real smile." When he talks about torture, his eyebrows stay raised just a little too long. "It's like writing in all caps," says Neffinger. "The value declines the more you use it."

But his body language displays a real enthusiasm when the topic moves to economics. "We have to be very careful," Edwards says, about Social Security, and he cups his hands as if carrying an egg.

Russert hits him with a question about $400 haircuts and the $500,000 he earned from a hedge fund, and Edwards visibly bristles.
"He's [peeved]!" says Pendleton, approvingly.

"Well, he could be more [peeved], if he could get the smile off his face," says Neffinger.

But Pendleton argues Edwards is demonstrating just the right amount of indignation: "He's talking faster, he's jutting out, like 'You want some of this?' The eyes narrow. There's a bit of Clint Eastwood."

BARACK OBAMA
He shifts from side to side, but in a "dynamic" way, not metronomic. He's doing the furrowed-brow thing, which feels appropriate with talk of Iraq.

But this is a candidate who won hearts with the "optimistic visage" of his 2004 Democratic convention speech. "His eye contact was up and out," says Pendleton. "His cadences were natural and energetic." Can Obama get that back?

He can, indeed -- when he starts talking about his children, and suddenly his head tilts upward, his face shining. You can't force that kind of warmth, the KNP guys say; it has to spring from a candidate's genuine feelings about a topic. Like Edwards, Obama lights up again (smiling, eyebrows raised) when the subject moves to pocketbook issues.

Then there's that . . . that look. Neffinger tries to mimic it: the cocked head, the easy grin, the sideways gleam in the eye. "That's part of the reason he's the young, hip candidate. He's the cool guy. He's got the head bob. Reagan had it."

JOE BIDEN
Strong voice. More relaxed than ever, he's giving confident one-word answers, resisting the old impulse to declaim. Almost a great speaker. Except . . .

"We're talking about Iraq, right?" says Neffinger. "Let's see if he can keep the smile off his face." He does. But with Biden, you never know when it's going to come back. On the topic of cities coping with federal immigration mandates, the fantastic grin is unfurled, just as Biden describes a troubled city that "went in the dumpster."

Pendleton notes that Biden is simply smiling "at the absurdity" of the situation.

"Yeah," says Neffinger. "But the postmodern, ironic approach robs from the emotion of the issue."

BILL RICHARDSON
He talks about Iraq in an earnest, plodding cadence, one word after the other. "It's not the way people talk to one another in a bar," says Neffinger. And there's the bad habit, whenever he says "The problem is" or "Here's the problem," of gesturing towards himself.

But Richardson suddenly gets his groove on the topic of immigration. He swings his fists like a prize fighter, head bobbing with each of his points, and the emotion registers as genuine. "That's the Bill Richardson who can really ignite people's passions," says Kohut. "This is an issue that's right up close to his heart."

CHRIS DODD
He's tall, and -- face it -- people like that. Subconsciously, it suggests strength. His gestures are very strong and determined. But the stern-eagle stare, framed by those fierce black brows, rarely softens. "You don't get the warm Chris Dodd very often," says Neffinger.

If Dodd were a client, says Pendleton, "we would want him to tell a humorous story, something that would warm him up, open up his gestures" -- as Dodd briefly does, moments later, talking about his young daughters.

And, man, slow it down! "His points are good, but things run together," says Pendleton. "Get three points out there instead of four. You want the audience to appreciate it. It's like what they say in jazz -- the space between the notes."

MIKE GRAVEL
Scolding Clinton for a vote he claimed would lead to war with Iran, Gravel flings an arm in her direction. "You'd think that kind of forceful gesture would convey strength, but we're looking for a steady hand," says Neffinger. "And he's yelling already."

DENNIS KUCINICH
But that's the pitfall for second-tier candidates, desperate to get their voices heard. Kucinich's patter approaches Doddlike velocities as he crams every no-nukes/no-war/go-green talking point into a single answer.

And then, his moment. "You can have a president" who opposed the war, opposed the Patriot Act and supports single-payer health care, Kucinich deadpans. "Or you can have a president who's tall." Ba-da BUM! Suddenly, an assured grin, a sly glance to the side.

"Look at that!" says Neffinger. "This guy is Mr. Cool tonight! He's not straining, the eyebrows are level. . . . If he had a little more gray in his hair, and were like this all the time, he might actually get somewhere."

[mustbright]

Hey LARRS, you''ve posted this regurgitated *** many times in the past. Your mouth and tongue must be pretty nasty from bending over and licking your butt just to regurgitate it to a web site. Use some mouth wash for once and give everyone a break. Better yet, swallow a whole bottle of mouth wash and if you live, you may become a human being again.

[getloud1]

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[sjc_1]

I would rather have a good leader than an actor. Bush seems to be pushing the ideas of others. As long as they can convince him, he will try to convince others, but fails to close the deal. His comment that he does not have to explain himself to anyone says a lot.

I do not want a cheerleader, salesman nor actor, I want a President that can lead by listening to others, discussing and then coming to a clear decision. The last time I recall that was with JFK.

[getloud1]

If Americans don%u2019t wake up their will be nothing left, our Nation is broke and Wall Street is the only people making a profit. While the Hidden inflation tax continues to rise and the value of the dollar declines. Ron Paul is the only one who truely understands this, and honestly if he is not elected America should be prepared for a real economic depression like it has never seen before.

Unless you want a North American Union and a new currency the "Amero" split with Canada and Mexico. And lose all your rights and freedom. Vote For Ron Paul 2008!

So my advice is to bypass the media and spread the word to your family and friends about him. The power of the People is far greater than a campaign spending 10''s of million to buy an image. Because this man is a real American Hero. He has dedicated his life to this country and everyone in it, and now he is trying to save it from disaster.

Spread The Word! Go Ron Paul 2008!

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http://www.ronpaul2008.com

Join The ReVoLuTiOn:
http://ronpaul.meetup.com/cities

[mcvet]

HITLERY KLINTOON IS GOING TO STICK HER THERMOMETER UP AMERICA"S ARSE,,,, LOL


Posted by lars008 at 01:38 PM : Sep 28, 2007
+ report abuse

Is this the best you can do? Lars I''m embarrassed with your bank of cut and past quotes from some of the most vile that the Fascist have to offer, this is the best you can do??? ROFLMAO Sieg Heil Bush!!

[tato4x4]

Dang librul media.

[lars008-2009]

HITLERY KLINTOON IS GOING TO STICK HER THERMOMETER UP AMERICA"S ARSE,,,, LOL

[starleo146]

When Tim Russet tried to tag her on the torture question, Tim really thought he had her I don''t profess to read peoples body lsnguage as these professionals but when he looked up and whispered softly, "That was William Jefferson Clinton, do you now say you do not agree with him". The body language once again and the eyes and the stern look, "Well he is not standing here is he". was classic moment and Hillary won that battle. I know all night he tried to get her to make a mistake. SHE IS TOUGH and has to be very confident to take a position that I will run for president.I like Bill Clinton but haven''t made up my mind yet, but she really made me sit up a little and take a look when I wouldn''t even consider a look before.

[lars008-2009]

VOTE FOR JEFFERSON,,, VOTE AGAINST FASCIST NAZI TERRORISLAM,,, VOTE GOP,,,

dnc are like john adams and want to give the jihadist their lunch money hoping they will leave us alone,,,

gop are like thomas jefferson and want to spend their lunch money on weapons and go kick the jihadists in their arses,,,

What Thomas Jefferson learned from the Muslim book of jihad,,,

Thomas Jefferson knew about fascist nazi islam,,, he killed plenty of them,,,

In 1786 Jefferson and John Adams went to negotiate with Tripoli''s envoy to London, Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdrahaman or (Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja). They asked him by what right he extorted money and took slaves. Jefferson reported to Secretary of State John Jay, and to the Congress:

The ambassador answered us that [the right] was founded on the Laws of the Prophet (Mohammed), that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have answered their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as prisoners, and that every Mussulman who should be slain in battle was sure to go to heaven.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Barbary_War
http://www.usvetdsp.com/jan07/jeff_quran.htm
muslim justifies slavery and piracy%u2026
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?6bdec278-6a71-4436-bc4d-29d1c54b0ad7

[standlee5]

How about we just design a presidential robot programmed by these "experts" in public opinion persuasion.

[standlee5]

Choreography. totally.

[homespunlady]

Love it. Almost NOTHING in the NEOCON RUN MSM about how the TOP REPUBLICAN candy-dates RAN AWAY from the Tavis Smiley moderated PBS DEBATES. We had MONTHS of the Right-wingers whines about FOX and the Democrats.

[lars008-2009]

it is fascist nazi terrorislam stupid,,,

non muslims of the world unite,,, fight against the tyranny of the fascist nazi terrorslam imperialist empire of the darkside,,,

I was a fanatic...I know their thinking, says former radical Islamist
By blaming the Government for our actions, those who pushed this "Blair''s bombs" line did our propaganda work for us.
More important, they also helped to draw away any critical examination from the real engine of our violence: Islamic theology.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=465570&in_page_id=1770

Bless the Beasts and Children
Fascist nazi terrorslam kills every man woman and child in the village again%u2026 typical mo for terrorslam%u2026
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/bless-the-beasts-and-children.htm

Our Prophet commanded us to fight the kaafirs when we are able and to attack them in their homelands and to give them three choices before we enter their lands: either they become Muslim and be like us, sharing our rights and duties; or they pay the jizyah (poll tax) and feel themselves subdued; or they fight, in which case their wealth, women, children and homes become permissible as booty for the Muslims.
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=13759&ln=eng&txt=before%20islam%20arabia%20pagan

the truth about fascist nazi terrorislam...
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/what-really-happened/

[missingamerica]

This is exactly why I want anybody but Fred Thompson as President.

The control and manipulation of facial expressions and non-verbal cues are all taught to or learned by an actor if he or she is to have any success.

With Reagan - the man that jump-started the inequality curve - I never knew if he was telling the truth or if he believed what he was saying.

After watching Bush, I had to conclude the guy really believes what he says, but he''s stuck with being in between heavily manipulated and just wrong.

The manipulators are still there and still in control of a good portion (although thankfully shrinking) of the Republican party; throw in a good actor like Thompson and it might give democracy in America its final, catastrophic mix.

[jn122736]

The remarks here go a long way to prove Hillary is coming across well. Otherwise, why would the morons come out of the woodwork with unrelated, childish, and false insults? Fear is why. They fear anyone intelligent. She is a long way from earning my vote (and so are the rest), but if I want to express reasons for not liking a candidate I am pretty sure I can do that discussing reality.
Posted by Redveg at 10:15 AM : Sep 28, 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Very true, and as the article points out how non-verbal clues by the candidates influence how their audience perceive them, the insults and name calling of these posters not only shows their own obvious low-character it also reflects poorly on the parties/candidates they supposedly represent/prefer.

[pwrslm]

%u2014She refused to say whether she would pull all U.S. troops out of Iraq by 2013, the end of her first presidential term. "It is very difficult to know what we''re going to be inheriting," she said.

%u2014Clinton ducked the question of whether Israel had the right to bomb Iran if the country posed a nuclear threat. She called the question a "hypothetical," and said, "That''s better not addressed at this time."

%u2014She sidestepped a question about whether she would voluntarily disclose the names of contributors to Bill Clinton''s presidential library. "You''ll have to ask them," she said. "I don''t talk about my private conversations with my husband."




Essentially, they are hiding alot of facts, that, if know, would expose Americans to information that would shut Hillary Clintons Campain down.

Does she have the right to lie through omission this way, on her ruthless quest to be elected President?

No. But it will take the PEOPLE to realize that.

[pwrslm]

"Hillary Rodham Clinton''s campaign slogan is "Ready for Change, Ready to Lead" yet she has adopted the time-honored, front-runner strategy of dodging tough questions, contradicting the image of a strong leader." From brietbart.com

Same picture, but CBS seems to omit the obvious part about evasion of issues.

[tnt1954]

there are hundreds of thousands of presidents in
training, school presidents, corporate presidents
out there, thinking they too, will ascend into
the Madness of the Presidency. most people want
these candidates thoroughly checked out psychiatrically as the common foot soldier is. brain
scans, rigourous testing for ptsd, anxiety disorders,
depression, schizophrenia, psychopathology ad nauseam, neurosis, bi-polar disorder, and all the
other hundreds of neurological disorders. do they
have alzheimer''s disease? lesions somewhere on
their brains? possible brain tumours? what kinda
nutty decisions are they gonna make? if these
guys have the finger on ''the button'', they need
more than an election to decide who? which ones are
madder than hatters? and they don''t even know they
are?

[jumkey]

Ron Paul is the cowardly Republican''s choice. People who like Paul know what an awful failure Bush and the entire Republican Party has been in the war on terror and keeping us safe. Instead of actually *changing* their beliefs to fit the evidence they change the evidence - oh, look, we can still vote Republican if we vote for a libertarian racist know-nothing. Not much of a plan but what I do know, I''ve never voted Republican.

Maybe you ought to trying voting for America this time, eh?

[ioweign]

Prostitutes like Hitlery Clinton won''''t be buying my vote, that''''s for sure!

Posted by gunownerdan at 09:47 AM : Sep 28, 2007



"Your vote can be bought !!"

What is the price ? A new Daisy.