Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
Three months ago, President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate against former President Donald Trump
upended politics and ultimately toppled him from his place as the presumptive Democratic nominee.
Tonight, Americans got their first real look at the surprise matchup he left behind, when Trump and
Vice President Kamala Harris met for the first time on a debate stage in Philadelphia.
It was a chance for each candidate to outline the shape of this unprecedented race and make their case
to the American people. But for me, it was their body language — even more than their words —
that really revealed who they are.
For over 50 years, 25 of them with the FBI, I’ve studied the infinitely nuanced language of nonverbal
communication. Particularly in politics, words have a way of bending the truth. But the messages we
communicate with our bodies — a raised eyebrow, pursed lips, a too-tight smile — speak with an authenticity
rarely found in a stump speech. Here’s what I noticed on the debate stage tonight:
Harris Got Her Handshake
The ABC News Presidential Debate
Trump and Biden did not shake hands at the beginning of their debate, and some pundits expected
the candidates would again decline to shake hands tonight. But Harris wouldn’t let Trump go without
greeting him with a handshake. Trump seemed reluctant, taking his position behind his podium.
But Harris marched across the stage, extended her hand and introduced herself. A handshake is
more than just a greeting: It communicates politeness, civility, a basic level of respect both to the
other person and, in the case of a debate, to the American people. When Harris initiated the handshake,
she embodied her message of unity over divisiveness, and demonstrated that she wasn’t afraid to take
Trump on. It took him off guard. As she walked back to her side of the stage, she had a big grin on her
face. She got what she wanted, and she knew it.
Harris Wore Her Tension in Her Neck
The ABC News Presidential Debate
Harris took the first question, and you could see a lot of tension in her throat — hard swallows,
tense neck muscles, a lot of motion in the laryngeal thyroid cartilage. From a nonverbal standpoint,
that kind of nervous tension detracts from the appearance of confidence. It was subtle, but undeniable
to the trained eye, and it took longer than one would expect for that tension to dissipate. Trump by
comparison seemed more poised, less nervous in the beginning, though Harris recovered as the debate went on.
Trump Would Not Look Her in the Eye
The ABC News Presidential Debate
You would be hard pressed to find a time when Trump looked at Harris directly. When she spoke,
he stared straight ahead, as if looking at her was his kryptonite. Good leadership requires us to
confront our opponent head on. Trump’s refusal to lock eyes over 90-some minutes could be read
in many ways: as a form of indifference, of disrespect, or even fear that looking at her would somehow
put him on tilt.
In contrast, Harris looked right at Trump when he spoke. When she addressed him, she gestured toward
him, even when he wouldn’t meet her gaze. She demonstrated that she had no fear of locking eyes with
him, of reaching out to him, of challenging him directly.
Harris’ Chin Showed Her Disbelief
The ABC News Presidential Debate
When Trump accused Harris of being a “Marxist” because of her father’s academic career (he has been
described as a “Marxist scholar”) she looked at him with her hand posed on her chin — a look of absolute
incredulity. It was a deliberately eye-catching way to silently say, “I cannot even believe what you’re saying.”
This was her go-to behavior several times when Trump said something that she perceived as outrageous.
I cannot remember another presidential debate in 50 years where we have seen that behavior, and it says
something about Harris and her willingness to convey her sentiments directly and overtly, without fear,
looking at Trump with laser-like focus.
