I analyzed this clip that shows two of Bernie’s speeches.
First, there is Bernie saying negative things about Clinton before the Democratic
convention then in the same clip of his endorsement of her at the convention. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVrti6Jt0BI
The first part of the clip shows Bernie Saunders’ body
language as he talked about Hilary Clinton before the Democratic Convention and
again during his speech at the convention when he endorsed her.
Bernie sanders endorsing Hillary and getting booed is in the
second part of the same clip.
In the first part of this endorsement speech when Bernie is talking
about Hilary’s lack of qualifications, he brings his arms and hands up to
either side of his head, in what I call a “high head” gesture that shows he has
confidence in what he is saying.
He gestures, giving air quotes just before the word “qualified” and says, “I don’t think you are qualified….” This is called before-say order. Bernie gesturing before words shows his authentic belief that she is not qualified to be president of the United Sates. In authentic Body Language, we gesture then says the words. Gestures come from the emotional limbic brain, so when we really feel something we feel it and show before we say it with words.
When he goes to say, “We have got to elect Hilary Clinton...”
his gesture should have started and peaked at the word “got” but his arm came
up slowly and hit downward as he pointed when he said the word “elect”. Instead,
he motioned late and his gesture showed his lack of enthusiasm, and that electing
Hillary is a downward move.
As he is quieting the crowd, he brings his arm and hand up
high to pat down the crowds booing. These high above the head gestures show he
knows he has power over the crowd. He also brings his hands up high on the
right then on the left, in what is almost a slow motion flailing, drowning motion
as if he is saying, “I know I have power and I am giving it up.” He then sways
his hand up high with the crowd showing his connection to his brothers and
sisters.
Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com.
