Debateblogging: Initial Body Language

Jim Lehrer: It is amazing what they're doing with animatronic puppetry these days.

George Bush: Takes the initiative by crossing all the way over to Kerry's podium for the handshake. Standard alpha male dominance-establishing tactics that anthropologists refer to as "getting all up in his grill."

John Kerry: Lingers slightly in that handshake, hoping people will notice he's significantly taller than Bush.

Comments

[JDM]

Bush must've been wearing lifts in his shoes. Kerry really didn't look like he was 5 inches taller. Maybe he's not actually 6'4". God knows anyone who lists their height as 5'11" is actually 5'9". My guess is that Kerry is 6' 1/2"

[Claire]

Oh, Kerry definitely looked taller than Bush during the debate. My dad asked at one point when they were shown in side by side panels, "Why is Bush's podium taller than Kerry's?" They wanted the tops of their heads to be level. Kerry's head was much further from his podium.

[5'11" dude]

I've seen Bush in person and he is 5'11".

[Mr. Nice Guy]

These men of power are pretty big guys, usually. Years ago, I got really close to Bill Clinton and couldn't believe how large the dude was. I guess we aren't too far from our primate ancestors where Big = runs the show

[JDM]

" got really close to Bill Clinton and couldn't believe how large the dude was."

Yeah, but you're probably 5'4"

Although, the only president I ever say in person was Bush I, and I couldn't believe how large his head was. It was almost as if it was a struggle for him to keep it from pulling him down. Like one of those giant paper mache' protest heads. Really just freakishly huge and weird.

[Stevo]

These men of power are pretty big guys, usually. Years ago, I got really close to Bill Clinton and couldn't believe how large the dude was. I guess we aren't too far from our primate ancestors where Big = runs the show

Andre the Giant for president!

Too bad he can't qualify, being foreign-born. Also, dead.