The non-verbal cues that candidates give are a window into the real person..

[cleveramerican]

..behind the prepared for viewing, packaged product that each campaign wants to present.


How do you distinguish between campaign created strategy and the genuine person behind the veneer?

There is no more important question for voters.
Are you basing your vote on something "real" or on an elaborate sales promotion?

I firmly believe its the small non-verbal things that decide it.

How "at ease" they appear is the big one. If you appear too uncomfortable, you are all done as a candidate no matter what you say. Liars are always un-easy.

Tone of voice, another big one, any hint of shrill or shifting tones have sunk many a candidate. It plays right into the "at ease" thing.


These things are what voters REALLY get from the debates, and why they are so important quite apart from anything that any of them may say. This is exactly what all of us do every day. We all meet people and size them up very quickly based on a life times experience.

The small things are the difference.

Mark Twain said "The difference between the right word and the almost-right word is like the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning."

[moggie]

1. Politicians are performers

And you know what George Burns said about that trade: "The secret of acting is sincerity. If you can fake that, you've got it made".

[Gman]

2. This is why Reagan was so good

The "morning in America" acting thing. The Big Dog was pretty damn good at it too.

[BanzaiBonnie]

3. Nancy Pelosi looks nervous

all the time when she's speaking nowadays. Aside from the wide-eye thing she's always done --- she seems to be very uncomfortable where she's sitting. Do you think it's a hot seat?

[DCKit]

4. Maybe she's feeling the heat from the fire we thought we lit under her tight ass. nt