SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - A body analyst expert sat down with ABC 4 to decipher President Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney's body language as they spared over pressing issues facing the United States of America.
Body analyst expert Kirk Duncan says the majority of communication is nonverbal and he has the keys to unlock the code to understanding the most subtle of body movements.
He agreed to translate all those hidden messages most of us miss.
The men shook hands before the debate. Mr. Obama has a firm grip on Mr. Romney's arm. "Almost like trying to say I'm going to control this conversation," said Duncan.
A closer look reveals Mr. Obama's slight head tilt as the two men shake hands.
"Is that anything?" asked ABC 4's Noah Bond. Duncan responded, "It's a gesture of friendship." Bond, "OK that says a lot to me right there because these guys, their Super Pacs and the candidates themselves have thrown nasty ads at each other and then he (Mr. Obama) has this gesture of friendship-- a huge disconnect. What's going on there?" Duncan, "It's for the public eye. Look we're in the same country. We're going the same way. So hopefully they're going to be looking like they're friends." Bond, "Friends. Well perhaps there is some sincerity there." Duncan, "Yeah common ground. It's for the American people."
The men lose their composures after the first hour and 10 minutes when Romney notices a chink in Mr. Obama's body language armor while talking about the ailing economy. "And then you see him (Mr. Obama) start to smile. Get these little smiles and then the shaking of the head and as that would happen Romney would increase his intensity."
Next, Romney reacts to Mr. Obama attacking his health care plan. "You see the blood almost rush out of his face. His face goes into this awkward look," said Duncan.
Finally, during the last handshake Mr. Obama grabs Mr. Romney's arm again, but this time his fingers don't curl around Romney's arm.
"I believe that Romney stood his ground. The President realized OK he's got something to stand for," Duncan said.
Duncan said Mr. Obama needs to come out strong during the next debate to compensate for his lack of authority and aggressiveness during his first presidential debate with Romney.
