�PAGE � �PAGE �1� Balaresque
Antoine Balaresque
Professor XXX
English 1
December 15, 2009
Body Language and the Last Presidential Election
One's visual image has a much bigger impact on the audience than his or her words because it creates a much greater recall for one's message (Reiman 101). That is why a brand with inconsistent visuals seeking market may not be as successful as that with consistent visuals.
In the last presidential election, the media covered more than just the campaigns as it used to do in the past. Instead, it has turned out to be a forum of en acting these campaigns. Presidential candidates face the humiliation of being patronized by media interviewers.
Media houses expose these candidates' verbal and non-verbal communication cues. Moreover, journalists never lack awkward questions to put to candidates. On their part, these candidates have come to the realization that hasty and imprudent replies to any question may end up haunting them for many months.
Official photographic portrait of US President Bar...
English: Barack Obama delivers a speech at the Uni...
Pete Souza, Official White House PhotographerThe same may be said of inappropriate body language by these candidates.
The public prefers presidential candidates being put through their paces as opposed to just being carried into office (Cook 204). While this is desirable, it is often a hardening process that lacks any real rules. As a result, many candidates end up developing rote answers to most predictable questions (Pease 51).
On their part, interviewers try their best to knock the candidates off balance. Television viewers get used to candidates truckling to television interviewers. Candidates' impromptu answers end up becoming the television discussion. The candidates' full speech is therefore hardly ever heard. Above all, the candidates' body language is keenly watched by the viewers.
Body language played a pivotal role in the enactment of the last presidential campaign. All the candidates were trying to stand out by...