Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2152: Second Presidential Debate - 16 October 2012 - Barack Obama's Duping Delight - Benghazi, Libya Attack was an "Act of Terror" - Alpha, Beta, Confidence & Acquiescence ....

During last night's second 2012 U.S. Presidential debate, the attack on the American Embassy in Libya was of course raised. Note that as soon as the Moderator (Candy Crowley) said, " ... Secretary of State ... " President Obama's feet immediately configured to his widest stance of the evening (Mitt Romney, in general, kept his feet too close together for much of the debate - this is interpreted too acquiescing and beta). When the feet are positioned about a shoulder's width distance apart - it projects and is indicative of a higher level of confidence and authority. He then very briefly held the microphone with two hands in front of his lower abdomen when Crowley said, " .... she takes full responsibility for the attack on the Embassy in Benghazi ...." - indicating, transiently, a lower level of comfort with how he was going to respond to this question of full responsibility. Such emotional dissonance is common in a stressful scenario. Between the two competing emotions of confident authority vs. his anxiety about answering however - the alpha emotional tone of the Commander-in-Chief won out - and he no longer displayed this self-touching, self-comforting MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) configuration. Indeed Obama readjusts his feet to an even wider stance (0:23) as he "digs in" to answer this question with force.

Moments later as President Obama recounts his press conference in the Rose Garden on 12 September 2012, he uses the "Dominant Spider" (0:43 - 0:44) and its more assertive cousin "The Claw" (0:45 - 0:49) to help illustrate his recounting of the events. The second he spoke about, " .... we are going to hunt down those who committed this crime ..." (0:49 - 0:50 and again at 0:51 - 0:53) he displayed an accusatory "Index Finger Point" (aka Forefinger Point) toward the audience (I would have advised him to point down instead, only with a greater arm-shoulder display of force and greater verbal emphasis and volume). He then switched to the less aggressive "Loose Fist Thumbs Up" aka LFTU (0:53 - 1:01) gesture when he spoke about receiving the caskets of the four Americans and grieving with the families at Andrews Air Force Base (although his fist could have been more loosely configured - it was still too tight). The LFTU is a great "alpha-beta hybrid" nonverbal which is not overly aggressive and yet still displays a good level of confidence. Obama then dialed up his assertiveness once again with an index finger point with wagging at Governor Romney (1:23 - 1:24) ".... is offensive, that's not what we do ..." The extra wagging nonverbal modifier acts as an amplifier for the President - reminding the former governor (and everyone else) that HE is commander-in-chief. In this context it worked to Obama's advantage, but here it is a relative exception - for most of the time this body language illustrator will project arrogance and patronizing emotions. The President gets a pass here because for a moment, even many republicans are attempting to empathize with the weight of responsibility of four dead Americans.

Obama then displays a great body language cluster as he further admonishes Romney when he says, "....That's not what I do as President. That's not what I do as Commander in Chief ....". Note how he rotates & tilts his head/neck with his chin turning away with his head tilting towards Mitt. He also displays an extended blink which further drives home his scolding. In addition a subtle anger glare can be seen at 1:26 - 1:27 and at 1:28 (about a 2 or 3 on a 1-10 scale). He also shows us his right forehead-eyebrow slightly elevated in a body language tell of incredulity. The vast majority of the time, nonverbal experts will speak of the hands & arms when talking about illustrators - however these are all great examples of facial illustrators.

President Obama then turns his back on Governor Romney as he walks to his chair (1:31 - 1:34) - a beacon of disrespect and dismissal.

Mitt Romney's bilateral eyebrow flash - entire width elevated forehead (1:49) - is a common nonverbal signal of demand for a verbal response to a question. President Obama then displays a subtle "Duping Delight" with a slight left-sided smile (1:54) after he tells Romney, ".... Please proceed Governor ....." . Mitt Romney sees this body language and immediately senses that something (from his point of view) is amiss. This is demonstrated verbally by the candidate's extended stuttering during the 1:54 - 1:56 segment. More obvious and similar duping delight is again demonstrated during 2:03 - 2:06 and again at 2:07 - 2:09. Obama turned what could have been a very injurious issue into what many thought was his best moment of the night.

There were, of course, many other body language tells in this video. These were a few highlights. Obama made a clear comeback in this second debate - both verbally and nonverbally. Will it be best of three?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1251: Las Vegas Channel 8 KLAS Interview - Body Language in Tonight's Debate - Evaluation of earlier Debates

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2150: Body Language Advice for President Obama and Governor Romney for the Second Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2138: President Obama's Anger During First Debate - An Under-Appreciated Body Language Signal

Nonverbal Analysis # 2137: Mitt Romney vs. Barack Obama - First Presidential Debate - Barack's Bad Body Language

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

Nonverbal Analysis # 346: Rick Perry Forgets: 8 Republican Presidential Hopefuls Debate in Detroit - 60 seconds of Oops, Body Language and Empathy

A Nonverbal Analysis # 2134: A Watershed Body Language Moment: Nixon - Kennedy Debates 1960

Nonverbal Analysis # 2131: Presidential Debate Highlights - Bush vs. Gore 2000 - Gore's Invasion of Bush's Personal Space

Nonverbal Analysis # 2104: Mitt Romney's Convention Speech - Part II

Nonverbal Analysis # 1149: Who was More Nervous in Last Night's Debate? Santorum, Romney, Gingrich or Paul?

Nonverbal Analysis # 915: Interpersonal Space of Candidates 

Nonverbal Analysis # 2135: Ronald Reagan in Nashua, New Hampshire: "I'm Paying for this Microphone Mr. Green!"

Nonverbal Analysis # 2136: Some Body Language Highlights from First Obama - Romney Presidential Debate in Denver

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2149: Losing Votes with the Double Index Finger Point - a Faux Pas Nearly Every Time

Nonverbal Analysis # 813: Ask Osama Bin Laden about Appeasement 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis #2291:  A Tight Fist and Tension in The Face - Jay Carney's Body Language as he defends  Chuck Hagel's performance during  Senate Confirmation Hearings

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2151: Las Vegas Channel 8 KLAS Interview - Body Language in Tonight's Debate - Evaluation of earlier Debates

Had the pleasure of reviewing the first 2012 Presidential Debate as well as the Vice Presidential Debate yesterday at Las Vegas KLAS Channel 8 with Brian Brennan (above video). We spoke at length regarding how Mitt Romney's Body Language had improved and how President Obama's lackluster verbal performance in the first debate was congruent with his weak nonverbal signals of that October 3rd event. This segment aired late this afternoon - just prior to tonight's second debate.

There were some great (and many different) body language variations in tonight's debate (video below). A town hall format makes Obama's and Romney's nonverbal displays even more important than with the first debate (with the speakers behind lecterns). Stay tuned - more on tonight's second 2012 Presidential debate to come.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2150: Body Language Advice for President Obama and Governor Romney for the Second Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2138: President Obama's Anger During First Debate - An Under-Appreciated Body Language Signal

Nonverbal Analysis # 2137: Mitt Romney vs. Barack Obama - First Presidential Debate - Barack's Bad Body Language

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

Nonverbal Analysis # 346: Rick Perry Forgets: 8 Republican Presidential Hopefuls Debate in Detroit - 60 seconds of Oops, Body Language and Empathy

A Nonverbal Analysis # 2134: A Watershed Body Language Moment: Nixon - Kennedy Debates 1960

Nonverbal Analysis # 2131: Presidential Debate Highlights - Bush vs. Gore 2000 - Gore's Invasion of Bush's Personal Space

Nonverbal Analysis # 2104: Mitt Romney's Convention Speech - Part II

Nonverbal Analysis # 1149: Who was More Nervous in Last Night's Debate? Santorum, Romney, Gingrich or Paul?

Nonverbal Analysis # 915: Interpersonal Space of Candidates 

Nonverbal Analysis # 2135: Ronald Reagan in Nashua, New Hampshire: "I'm Paying for this Microphone Mr. Green!"

Nonverbal Analysis # 2136: Some Body Language Highlights from First Obama - Romney Presidential Debate in Denver

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2149: Losing Votes with the Double Index Finger Point - a Faux Pas Nearly Every Time

Nonverbal Analysis # 813: Ask Osama Bin Laden about Appeasement

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2150: Body Language Advice for President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate

Even Mitt Romney believes President Obama is a great speaker. Why didn't this translate into success in the first debate two weeks ago? The answer is multifaceted - but a good bit of it comes down to bad body language. In tonight's debate - in a town-hall format - Mr. Obama's and Mr. Romney's nonverbals will be even more important. 

What many don't realize, is that not only does your body language indicate your emotional mindset, but adopting, maintaining, and/or changing your own nonverbal displays in many and nuanced contexts - will also changes your emotions, the fluidity by which you speak and will even affect your word choice.

Here are dozen body language debate pointers for both Presidential Candidates:

1. Stand with your feet slightly less than a shoulder's width apart. There's not a photo in existence of John Wayne standing with his feet together. This stance projects, builds and maintains confidence.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 337: Michelle Barchmann's Low Confidence Stance

2. Stand with your feet flat on the floor. Barack Obama was standing on one foot (with opposite leg crossed in back of the other) during part of the last debate. This is Bad Body Language in this context. It sends messages of non-engagement and aloofness.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2137: Mitt Romney vs. Barack Obama - First Presidential Debate - Barack's Bad Body Language

3. When an audience member or Candy Crowley (tonight's debate moderator) addresses you, turn and point your whole body towards them. Your feet, navel, torso, face and eyes - all should be pointing directly at them. This shows to everyone that you respect them and believe that whatever they are saying is worth listening to - and everyone watching will for a moment "inject" themselves into the shoes of the audience member who is asking the question. This is an absolute must for developing rapport, building bridges - and getting votes. This whole-body pointing should be down-regulated significantly when answering their questions because of course then you're speaking to the entire country.

Note: In everyday conversations, you should turn your feet and body about 20 to 30 degrees after 5 to 10 seconds once you've greeted them. Maintaining the "whole-body pointing posture" during one-on-one conversations is too confrontational. In the setting of a debate, primarily because of the audience-speaker context and greater distances between the audience and the candidates, pointing your whole body toward the audience member while they are asking the question is an absolute must. Failure to do this will cost you votes.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis  No. 1859: Prince William is Angry at the Queen's Jubilee
 

4. President Obama in particular - don't look down when the Mitt Romney is speaking. This gives the feel to the audience that you are being lectured to - or being reprimanded. Perhaps for a second or to if a lectern/podium is being used to write some notes, but look at the audience (primarily) or the other candidate (shorter glances and do not turn your whole body toward your opponent).

5. Hand and arm gestures (illustrators) should be used congruently with speech. President Obama - during the last debate your elbows were much too close to the sides of your torso during your illustrators. Such a configuration is low-energy, demure and beta. Of course you don't want to be overly dramatic with arm gestures either - proportion and context are paramount. 

Mitt Romney - whoever is coaching you must have been reading my blog - for I'm the only expert who's been critiquing you heavily in this issue. You did much better with you hand/arm gestures during the first debate than you ever have before. Big improvement.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1915: Mitt Romney's Response to Supreme Court's Decision on "Obamacare" (Affordable Care Act)

6. DO NOT, UNDER ANY CONDITION, PUT YOUR HANDS IN YOU POCKETS. This is a tremendous signal of non-engagement and emotional dissonance. Don't be aloof - be engaged in the moment. Depending on the other nonverbal signals present, hands in pockets may even signal that you are being deceptive, intimidated by your opponents or fearful.

Nonverbal Communications Analysis No. 2074: Mitt Romney and Senator Kelly Ayotte - What Body Language Tells?

7. NEVER TOUCH YOUR HEAD - PARTICULARLY YOUR FACE - OR NECK. These facial MAPs (Manipulators, Adaptors or Pacifiers) are (subconsciously) interpreted by nearly all who watch (even those 99.99% who have no formal body language training) as an ANXIETY SIGNAL. People don't necessary take note of every time another person touches their face - but they are left with a general feeling of unease. When you get a feeling that you can't trust someone (even though they may have said all the right things) - very often they just displayed this type of MAP/Body Language.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2047: Barack Obama does not Believe

8. Avoid Contempt and disgust displays. You may solidify some of your base - but you'll lose many more of the undecided votes. If you need a primer here - watch either of your counterparts during the Vice Presidential debate. They both displayed contempt in spades. Contempt and disgust will alienate. They are rapport destroyers.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2146: Biden vs. Ryan Vice Presidential Debates - Both Candidates Displayed Body Language of Contempt

9. Smile with your eyes. Even children can detect a false smile. Smiling with your eyes first will bring your mouth along for the ride. Most otherwise accomplished and socially skilled people (including both presidential candidates) can't differentiate a sincere smile vs. a good social smile. Nor can you produce either type on demand when you really need to do so.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 353: Brad Pitt's Smiling Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smiles

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1010: What Makes the Twinkle in Rashida Jones' Eyes?

10. Don't over-use your forehead expressions. Over-use of the forehead muscles (particularly the central forehead contraction - aka CFC) is a primary indicator of insincerity. All but your hard-core base voters will read this as feigned sincerity. Few things are more repelling than smug insincerity. This is particularly true when a CFC is seen together with even a slight mouth smile.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2124: This Body Language-Facial Display Should always make you think "Insincere"

11. Avoid using the conventional steeple. Most politicians over-use the conventional steeple - thus sending signals of arrogance and condescension. It's a primary example of using excessive alpha signals. If someone uses too much conventional steeple (which is, in an absolute sense, not very much) - run, don't walk away from them. Despite what they may say, you are a pawn in their game.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1503: The Conventional Steeple vs. The Basketball Steeple - Seeking a Balance

12. Hopefully you've slept for at least the past two or three nights. Barack Obama's primary problem in the last debate may very well have stemmed from lack of sleep. He repeatedly displayed several signals consistent with being tired. Many a skilled speaker, or surgeon, or attorney, or sales person have suffered from this fundamental.

Good luck gentlemen. May the best man win.

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2149: Losing Votes with the Double Index Finger Point - A Faux Pas Nearly Every Time

Joe Biden was more animated than usual in his Vice Presidential debate vs. Paul Ryan - and many speculate this was to compensate for President Barack Obama's lackluster performance the week before. However, the index finger (forefinger) double point is a nonverbal which should never be displayed in a political debate. A single hand point is an alienating and universally offensive body language gesture. While we do allow politicians a somewhat greater latitude here, they should use the single forefinger point vary sparingly - or not at all. The double point - which Biden pulled out last Thursday - should only be used at events reserved for one's political base. 

Joe Biden lost votes with this gesture.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1224: Mitt Romney's Two Handed Index Finger Point

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2777: Hillary Clinton, Huma Abedin, John McCain and John Boehner

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1918: Vladimir Putin - Pointing with Pen Surrogates - Sharp vs. Blunt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1652: Crude Oil, Speculators and Counting with Thumb First

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2148: Joe Biden vs. Paul Ryan and the "Self-Righteous Head Wiggle" in the Vice Presidential Debate

During the 0:51 - 0:54 segment of this CNN video regarding last Thursdays U.S.Vice Presidential Debate, Rep. Paul Ryan exhibits a classic nonverbal known as a "Self-Righteous Head Wiggle" (SRHW)" as he says, " ....Mr. Vice President, I know, Mr. Vice President, I know you're under a lot of duress to make up for lost ground ... " The self-righteous head wiggle is a rapid side-to-side motion of the head very often seen simultaneously with a definitive verbal statement. Often the SRHW is accompanied by a similar back-and-forth motion of the torso and/or jaw. Here we also see a very slight forward motion to the head - this movement will often be more pronounced - and usually is when there is a more hierarchical scenario present (Biden of course currently out-ranks Ryan). When an additional backward motion (with head/neck and/or torso) is seen with the SRHW - it's a body language signal that another emotion co-exists - incredulity.

The self-righteous head wiggle tends to be seen with strong alpha personalities in settings where those displaying it feel the need to be assertive. Ryan's palm down illustrator further amplifies his assertive stance (0:48 - 0:54) - although his finger-open configuration "softens" this body language a good amount. The SRHW, like 99.9+% of all body language, is initiated and performed subconsciously. And rarely do emotions exist in isolation - with the SRHW look for the additional negative emotions overlaying the self-righteousness - such as anger, contempt, disgust and, as mentioned above, incredulity. Its display should be strongly avoided when rapport is a goal - for it will surely sabotage agreements and burn bridges.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2102: The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle and the Conventional Steeple vs. Basketball Steeple

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2113: Benjamin Netanyahu, Iran, the U.S. and the Self-Righteous Head Wiggle

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2130: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Helping Syria - Interview with Charlie Rose and Norah O'Donnell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1552: The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle & The Buffett Rule

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1923: Hillary Clinton's Body Language re: Syrian Government - The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2147: Las Vegas Channel 13 TV, Expert Commentary - Biden vs. Ryan, Vice Presidential Debate

Had the pleasure of giving some Nonverbal Communication expert commentary regarding last Thursday's Vice Presidential Debate. Both V.P. Joe Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan have a lot of room for improvement in their body language skill. Link here for Las Vegas Channel 13 (KTNV - ABC) interview. There's a lot more to say regarding the nonverbals of this debate.

See also:

Nonverbal Analysis # 2146: Biden vs. Ryan Vice Presidential Debates - Both Candidates Displayed Body Language of Contempt

Nonverbal Analysis # 2145: Paul Ryan & Joe Biden in Vice Presidential Debate - Post Debate Analysis on NPR - Southern California Public Radio, KPCC

Nonverbal Analysis # 2101: Mitt Romney's and Paul Ryan's Body Language at Republican National Convention - My Guest Commentary on NPR - KPCC, Southern California Public Radio

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2146: Biden vs. Ryan Vice Presidential Debates - Both Candidates Displayed Body Language of Contempt

One of the most common body language displays in Thursday night's Vice Presidential Debate by both candidates - was that of Contempt. Just past the 0:44 second mark in the above video clip, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) displays a microexpression of contempt. Microexpressions are always initiated subconsciously and are one of the most reliable signs of a person's true emotional tone. At 0:44, Ryan's left corner of his mouth very briefly (less than 0.5 seconds) contracts up and laterally with an equally evanescent rapid looking down to his right quadrant. Looking down to the right for 95% of right-handed people is indicative of highly emotional subjects (and also on occasion when discussing/thinking/re-experiencing kinesthetic experiences). These rapid nonverbal tells occur during what in his view - should have been done to provide more military protection for the U.S. Ambassador, Chris Stevens and the other three American who were killed in Benghazi, Libya last month.

Few people can recognize microexpressions naturally - yet virtually everyone can be trained to see them - and thus put themselves a great advantage.

See also:

Nonverbal Analysis # 2059: Musharraf has Contempt towards Pakistan's Intelligence Agency

Nonverbal Analysis # 1816: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Contempt & Mary Richard Kennedy's Social Smile

Nonverbal Analysis # 1890: Eric Holder has (Emotional) Contempt toward Darrell Issa - while Rep. Issa is Very Excited to be Seeking "Contempt of Congress" against Holder

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2145: Paul Ryan & Joe Biden in Vice Presidential Debate Post-Debate Analysis on NPRSouthern California Public Radio, KPCC

Thursday night at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, Vice President Joe Biden and Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) squared off in their first and only debate (above is a video of the full debate). Link hear to hear some of my guest commentary on Southern California Public Radio (NPR) KPCC analyzing a portion of their body language.

See also:

Other Recent National Public Radio Interviews

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2142: Mitt Romney's face wipe by stranger - Preening as a signal of Affection

This video highlights Joseph Melluso, the owner of "The Tin Fish" restaurant in Port St. Lucie, Florida, wiping republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's face multiple times. No doubt because he was the owner of the building, he felt a "temporary supervisorial" or "shepherding-like role" for this man who may be the U.S. President in less than a month - and this contributed to this nonverbal behavior. However, when one preens another - particularly in such a public scenario - this is also a body language signal consistent with feelings of affection. This is not to suggest that the two have any relationship or aspire to - but wiping, cleaning, picking at the remnants of a napkin/lint (seen during 1:01 - 1:03, 1:10 - 1:12, 1:15), straightening a tie, or smoothing out wrinkles in clothing, etc. - all examples of preening behavior - are signals of affection. It is common to have affection/false affection and similar feelings for those who we see images in the media. Note how Mitt pulls away and reflexively pats Melluso's arm during 0:21 - 0:22. This same patting action, performed at the end (and sometimes at the beginning or throughout) of a hug, lets the other person know that it's time for the hug to end. Joe Melluso obviously likes the candidate and will, of course, be voting for him. 

Jeanne Moos mentions that the secret service officer didn't raise an eyebrow - however his right eyebrow is certainly raised in a nonverbal signal of incredulity/disbelief at 1:48. 

Should you witness versions of such body language preening behavior at the office (or anywhere else) - even with significantly subtler examples, it's a strong signal that the emotion of affection is being felt.

See also:

Nonverbal Analysis # 2107: Andy Murray, Affection and Savoring the Moment 

Nonverbal Analysis # 2108: Rihanna's and Chris Brown's Kiss and Hug - What were they REALLY feeling? 

Nonverbal Analysis # 1911: Preening as a Signal of Affection-Attraction - Dina & Clint Eastwood 

Nonverbal Analysis # 1808: Time Magazine's Breast Feeding Story, Dr. William Sears and the Attachment Parenting Controversy - Cover Shows Emotional Dissonance at Best

Nonverbal Analysis # 1423: Head First Affection & Head Surrogate Hugs

Nonverbal Analysis # 771: Ann's & Mitt's Affectionate Hug

Nonverbal Analysis # 1921: Who was More Dominant - Tom Cruise or Katie Holmes?

Nonverbal Analysis # 2: Body Language of Blake Lively and Penn Badgley Strongly Predictive of an Impending Break-up in Near Future

Nonverbal Analysis # 33: Who is the Dominant Partner - Blake Lively or Penn Badgley?

Nonverbal Analysis # 2110: Pizza Guy - Scott Van Duzer's Bear-Hug Lift Encounter with President Obama - Staged or Real?

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2144: President Obama's Body Language Tell - Rescuing Big Bird (with help from another bird) & Elmo's making a run for the border in a White Suburban

Two days ago during a fundraiser in San Francisco, President Obama used a joke he was quite uncomfortable with when he referenced and defended Big Bird, Elmo, Sesame Street and PBS against Mitt Romney's plans - and that's putting it mildly. At the 0:20 mark he rubs his left hand across his forehead. The body language term for self-touching is a Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier (aka MAP). Most MAPs - this one included - are in general, signals of anxiety - and in many scenarios, much more specific emotional messages are being displayed.

Note which finger Barack Obama uses during this nonverbal display - his middle finger. Moreover he uses his dominant hand. This is but one of many examples of what in the nonverbal communication world is known as a "Partial Emblematic Slip". An Emblem is a specific gesture, that has a very specific meaning in a city, region, country or occasionally universally (Care must be taken not to falsely interpret an emblem's meaning in one country when you or another may be used to a different meaning). The middle finger display (aka "the bird" or "flipping off") when deliberately and used prominently in a typical position signals a message which is both universal (World-wide) and unambiguous. However when used in an atypical position and without full-fledged prominence (thus termed Partial - here touching the forehead, but there are many other areas it's manifested) its origin is from unconscious sources (ergo Slip). The Partial Emblematic Slip is a very reliable indicator of underlying emotional tone (Ekman).

Perhaps The President resents using a joke that indirectly references O.J. Simpson - who many consider to be guilty of murder. Or maybe he doesn't think using Sesame Street metaphors are worthy of presidential politics. It's certainly possible for him to remember watching Big Bird and Elmo himself (Sesame Street premiered in November 1969 when Barack was only eight years old). We don't know exactly WHY he felt such strong emotion - but we can be SURE he was feeling it.

Whether you're in sales, the courtroom or the board room - beware the Partial Emblematic Slip - for with it are revealed one's true emotions.

See also:

Nonverbal Analysis # 1720: Critical Evaluation, Disbelief & a Partial Emblematic Slip - Valerie Trierweiler & Francois Hollande

Nonverbal Analysis # 2093: Ann Curray's Tearful Goodbye - Matt Lauer's Classic "Tongue-in-Cheek" - and Duplicitous Smile

Nonverbal Analysis # 1818: Political Correctness, a Partial Emblematic Slip at Falcon, Colorado Elementary School

Nonverbal Analysis # 1492: Ben Bernanke's Duping Delight & Partial Emblematic Slip

Nonverbal Analysis # 1873: Hillary Clinton & Kofi Annan on Syria

Nonverbal Analysis # 343: Sarkozy's Clandestine Thumbs Up - an Emblematic Slip

Nonverbal Analysis # 743 & 744: Sarkozy's Shhh! & a Partial Emblematic Slip

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