Most politicians believe they have good poker faces, yet few do - and VP Elect Mike Pence's is particularly poor. This short video segment from earlier today contains many tells - two of which are highlighted here.
Beginning at 0:03, the future Vice President says, "Ah, we're excited ta, we're excited to have Dr. Carson - ah, as our ah, intended nominee - of, for ah, Housing and Urban Development. We're looking forward to another very productive week - in the transition and setting a historic pace and, ah - ah, I'll be spending some time in New York this week - and be spending some time in, ah, here in the Trump Tower ..."
Note during 0:11 - 0:12, Governor Pence lifts his briefcase with his middle, ring and little finger of his left hand - while his thumb and forefinger (index finger) adjusts his jacket in a pseudo-buttoning maneuver as he says, "... We're looking forward to another ...".
This false buttoning/jacket adjustment is a strong signal of anxiety - yet we can slice this nonverbal MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) even thinner. The movement (which, of course, was never a legit attempt to button his jacket) of both his arm and brief case momentarily covering his torso, is a classic blocking maneuver. Pence feels emotionally uncomfortable with respect to the cabinet choices and/or cabinet position selection process - signaling a strong contrast with his own words. Anytime there is disparity between verbal and the nonverbal messages - it's the nonverbal signals which always tell true feelings.
A second later, as he says, ".... very .... ", Mike Pence's eyebrows and forehead elevate while his eyelids simultaneously close in an extended blink. This is an unnatural movement - as these closely juxtaposed tissues are pulling in opposite directions. Such an eyelid/eyebrow incongruity in is a strong signal of insincerity.
Summary: Vice President Elect Mike Pence feels significant anxiety with the cabinet member selection process and/or some of the specific people picked.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3776: VP Elect Mike Pence Defends Trump's Claim of Voter Fraud
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3774: Luke Bryan Hits/Slaps a Fan For Flipping Him Off
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3772: Mitt Romney Meets with Donald Trump
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3760: Rory McIlroy's "Little Interviews"
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3712: Lloyd Bentsen to Dan Quayle - "You're No Jack Kennedy"
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3689: Times Square Kiss on V-J Day
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3669: Jordan Spieth, Bill Murray and the Asymmetrical Smile
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3573: Angela Merkel, the G7, Destroying Rapport and Body Language
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3525: Kristen Bell Slaps a Reporter On "The Boss" Red Carpet
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