Bernie’s body language. What does he really think about Hilary? Convention Endorsement.

Media sources are asking me what Bernie really thinks of Hillary.

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.
     

Five Tips for Getting Your Children Involved in Politics

Here are five tips I would suggest to get your children involved in politics.

First have them listen to and watch and read the platforms and voting habits of their senators, congressman  and women and the political candidates and talk to them about what they see and notice.

For example, recently children have seen politician being bully’.  If they are young you can have them imagine a child on the playground saying those things and acting in a particular manner and ask them how they would feel and what that shows about the politicians. ( How would you feel? How would you feel if someone said those things about you?)  Watch the debates with your children and have them count and point out the good strong comments and ideas and the attacks and jabs. Have them express what they like and don’t like. Stop the recording and talk about what you have seen and ask them their feeling and state yours!

Second, have them take public speaking and debate classes and enter speech competitions. This will build their confidence and give them a skills that will benefit them the rest of the their lives. The more they speak the better they will be.

Have them take classes on interpersonal skills, logic, and negotiations  and teach them how to make friends, form alliances, network, small talk, connect to others and be nice.

Teach them how to meet greet shake hands and make a stranger feel at ease. I have conducted several years of research on first impressions and greeting behavior this is also a set of skills that will serve them well.

Finally I suggest that you see if they would like to volunteer to work on a campaign or assist in the office of a politician. I was a volunteer for a Florida state senator when I was in grad school. I learned so much. One of the things I realized is that my senator was only working three days a week and rarely was present for votes. That guided me to look at voting records of candidates and be very aware of the work ethic of the people I voted for! 

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. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.