The Second Presidential Debate: Dropped Focus and Disconnections

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Movement Analysts Karen Bradley and Karen Studd offer the following review of the October 16 presidential debate:

Tonight, the hesitations and the retreats, the dropped focus and disconnections were all on Governor Romney.

Barack Obama got his game back in the town hall setting, which allowed him to drop his professorial rhetoric and to dominate the space. His timing was much improved as he advanced his agenda and pushed forward his vision. Romney on the other hand was clearly at a disadvantage in this setting. He shifted awkwardly and retreated, taking steps back while his opponent stepped forward.

Obama seemed positive and upbeat. Romney, on the other hand, emphasized the negative, shaking his head no, and turning his head away, with a tight smile.

President Obama was direct in his focus in his rhetoric and this time, making eye contact with his opponent. 

The differences in how each gestures are beginning to emerge meaningfully. Both men create boundaries with their gestures. Obama pushes his hands forward and contains his energy in a narrow space, but tonight he was at ease in that space.
Romney lifts his hands up and pats downward; it is a way of pushing down on his ideas; it could be perceived as a put-down as well. These gestures were increasingly frantic tonight and they were also isolated from his held stance.

Round two goes to Mr. Obama.  Round 3 matters a great deal. Well be watching, and we hope you will too, because movement reveals behavior, beliefs, and actions to come.