Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2691: Barbara Bush, "I Love Bill Clinton" - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Barbara Bush recently gave an interview (video excerpt above) in which, and among other subjects, she spoke about Bill Clinton.

" .... My husband, Bill Clinton and I have become great friends .... I think that he thinks of George a little bit like the father he didn't have. And he's very loving to him. And I really appreciate that. I love Bill Clinton, maybe not his politics, but I love Bill Clinton."

This is the former first lady's facial expression as she says, "... maybe not his politics ..."

Note how the entire width of her forehead is contracted and elevated - along with her eyebrows and upper eyelids to add emphasis. This expression is a facial form of what in the body language world is known as an "illustrator" - thus acting like a simultaneous underline for emphasis.

Also notice how the central lower forehead just between and above the eye brows - is NOT contracted. This absence is important. What other nonverbal signs are consistent with this clarifying statement nestled between two statements regarding love?

Only a few seconds later when she says, "... but I love Bill Clinton.", Mrs. Bush's central forehead contracts together as the central (medial) portions of her eyebrows elevate. Her central forehead contraction (CFC) is less defined (as is all muscle contraction) and therefore a bit more difficult to see in most elderly people (Mrs. Bush is 88). It is also very important to make the distinction between wrinkles of age and the furrows associated with facial muscle contraction.

When Barbara's forehead momentarily adopted this configuration, her mouth also formed what in most scenarios is a negative expression - yet the downward turning of the corners of her mouth and the momentary visibility of just her bottom teeth in conjunction with a CFC indicates sincerity. When she says she loves him, this is not just for the camera.

How good are you at detecting sincerity? Are you sure?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2379:  Bill Clinton's Speech at the  George W. Bush Presidential Library Opening  Body Language of Former and Current President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis - Quiz No. 2615: Bill Clinton Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom - And His Body Language Reveals What Emotions?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2125:  Presidential Debate Body Language -  George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ross Perot 1992

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2523:  Hillary Clinton, Body Language and the 2016 Presidency -  Rapport Builder vs. Rapport Destroyer

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2564: Hillary Clinton Stumping for Terry McAuliffe ... but Did She Hint at Running in 2016? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1865:  Five Presidents in the Oval Office  Who has the Lowest Confidence?  Who is the Least Comfortable?

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 441:  Bill Clinton's Rapport and His Temporary Universe


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