Ignore What They Say, Watch What They Do

By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts
Sunday, November 5, 2006

Tired of listening to all the candidates? Karen Bradley says you only have to watch. A visiting professor in the University of Maryland dance department, Bradley applies Laban Movement Analysis -- a scholarly take on, yes, body language -- to politicians and argues that the most successful are those with a graceful command of space and surroundings -- that thing Clinton had, and Reagan : "They are the people with the ability to connect." (Don't laugh -- she was touting Howard Dean more than a year before his campaign unexpectedly took off.) Who's got the right stuff in key local races? Let's go to the tapes:

Ben Cardin and Michael Steele, NBC's"Meet the Press," Oct. 29

Lt. Gov. Steele talks about setting benchmarks for Iraq. His hands grip an imaginary basketball, and he leans his body and head forward as he makes his points. Bradley likes this: "He's honing in on the issue. Nodding the head, very sincere. He's not thinking [of what to say], he knows what he wants to say. He's highly operational -- he'll drive an agenda."

Then Rep. Cardin, his opponent for the Maryland Senate seat, appears. Bradley stifles a giggle. "He's much less integrated. Did someone tell him not to move?" And yet -- look at that posture! "See that nice little movement upward? He's lengthened. He looks more intentional, more self-referential, more 'I can get this done.' "

Both men wobble -- Steele clasps his hands in front of him defensively while denying he hides from the GOP label; Cardin shrinks uncertainly for an instant while discussing Sunnis and Shiites.

Verdict: Steele's magnificent "shaping" skills could take him national, but this one's tight. "Cardin is stronger than I expected."

George Allen and Jim Webb, Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce senatorial debate, Sept. 18

Sen. Allen is animated, shuffling slightly side to side. Bradley watches his face. "A lot of micro-expressions," she muses. "It's not unlike Bush -- a smirk trying to happen, a wink trying to happen." He comes across as life-of-the-party -- "everybody's friend."

Yet Bradley sees none of Steele's strength or conviction. Allen talks about "taking the lead," but with a weak upward stretch to his left. "No postural support," she sighs.

Webb stands angled back from the podium. His eyes dart around the room. "He's nervous," says Bradley. "There's tension in his neck, vigilance in his eyes, like the enemy is all around." (In another TV clip she's impressed by his horizontal hand motions: "He has the ability to see different options.")

And then, a panelist asks Allen about his Jewish ancestry. Suddenly, his head is down, his torso recoils. "This is a very different person," gasps Bradley. "He's peering forward like he's a little boy who's being teased. It's genuine hurt" -- and it's the most authentic she's seen him yet: "He probably picked up some votes there."

Verdict: "Both have nonverbal deficiencies; neither has the edge."

Bob Ehrlich and Martin O'Malley, WJZ-TV Maryland gubernatorial debate, Oct. 14

Gov. Ehrlich looks like an earnest schoolboy -- leaning on his elbows, moving in his seat, motioning energetically toward his moderator and opponent. Bradley is unimpressed. "These gestures don't have anything to do with what he's saying." Ehrlich keeps making a counting motion on his fingers, as if to tick off points, yet often attached to random sentence fragments -- a "nonverbal platitude."

O'Malley barely budges, gazing coolly into the camera, eyes hooded. He's trying to speak to viewers, but "you don't get a sense he's a good listener," Bradley says. "He's in his own head. And I'm not seeing postural support for what he's saying."

But when the topic moves to parole and probation, O'Malley comes alive. He declares the need for "a statewide vision" in transportation and pulls himself upright -- very Cardinesque! His eyes suddenly open, says Bradley, "like the light went on."

Verdict: Both start out "highly inauthentic," but O'Malley wins by regaining his groove. "It's about who can adapt."

Pelosi Keeps One Eye on the House, the Other on the Home

If all goes as Democrats hope on election night, Nancy Pelosi is poised to become the first woman speaker of the House. But there's a chance she'll miss festivities for a more personal celebration -- Grandma duty.

Pelosi's youngest daughter, Alexandra, was due to give birth three days ago, and Pelosi has already announced that she'll drop everything to be there for the big moment. "You couldn't keep her away if you wanted to," said spokeswoman Jennifer Crider. "As soon as she hears Alexandra is in labor, she's headed for New York."

The House minority leader has five children and five grandchildren. Alexandra -- best known for "Journeys With George," her documentary on the 2000 presidential election -- was married to Dutch journalist Michiel Vos last year; this is their first child.

As she waits for the call, Pelosi will continue campaigning for Democratic hopefuls. She's been in 20 states since August, and planned to barnstorm in Pennsylvania and Connecticut this weekend. If the baby decides to stay put a few more days, Pelosi will spend election night here in Washington with fellow House Dems at the Hyatt.

One Gift Given, One to Go

President Bush , as any smart husband should, left the campaign trail yesterday in time to celebrate his wife's 60th birthday at the family ranch in Texas. Our colleague Peter Baker reports that the president gave Laura Bush a triple-strand, amber-colored citrine necklace. The low-key dinner included family friends Lois and Roland Betts, Regan and Billy Gammon , Debbie and Jim Francis , and Nancy and Mike Weiss. No word on what the president is giving Mrs. Bush for their 29th wedding anniversary today.