Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3362: Marco Rubio and Alleged Misuse of State Party Credit Card - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Overall Marco Rubio has a significantly greater sincerity quotient than most of his Presidential-candidate peers (which will certainly benefit him in his pursuit as the Republican Nominee). Yet in this GMA interview, the U.S. Senator from Florida displays significant anxiety tells. And whenever people sense anxiety - it often calls into question their sincerity, likability, trust and leadership.

Beginning at about 2:00 - when George Stephanopoulos asks Senator Rubio about allegations regarding misuse of a Republican party credit card for personal use, Rubio displays a significant cluster of nonverbal behavior.

During 2:05 - 2:07 we see bilateral and multiple rapid blinking with deep inhalation and a leaning back in his chair.

Followed by a very evanescent Eye Roll (2:07) indicating an impatient dismissal with an element of contempt.

Then Rubio keeps his hands below the table. He should have been sitting closer to the so that he could more easily keep his hands above it. There is a strong tendency to not trust someone when their hands are hidden or less visible. This is particularly true in the dynamic context of responding to an accusation (Throughout much of this interview Rubio's hands were beneath the table - only his right hand was sometimes above it).

Rubio then has to clear his throat and performs a hard swallow.

In summary, although verbally Senator Rubio seems to explain this credit card situation well - his nonverbal behavior indicates his anxiety regarding it is disproportionately high - and he has significant impatience and contempt for those who raise questions regarding it.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3361: The Johnson Treatment - Body Language and Personal Space

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3273: Marco Rubio, The Republican Debate, Monotonous Body Language and Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3154: Marco Rubio's Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2295:  Marco Rubio - Three Magazine Covers  Three Different Body Language Signals 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2914: François Hollande, Anxiety and Dialing up his Alpha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3325: Vladimir Putin, the United Nations, Russian Soil and Confidence Levels

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2831: "Walking Contest", Anxiety, Mirroring and False Intimacy  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3207: Vladimir Putin, Pope Francis and Body Language

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