Second presidential debate was like 'primate' confrontation with controlled body language

Washington, Oct. 18 (ANI): The more open second presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney on October 16 allowed them to stand up to confront one another and the moderator, something that was not possible during the first debate.

But in spite of some aggressive cues and a more heated performance by Obama, both men portrayed few non-verbal cues to their emotions, David Givens, director of the private, nonprofit Center for Nonverbal Studies in Spokane, Wash, said.

"It's almost as if they had learned to control their body movements and facial expressions and what not from (news) coverage that has been out there," Givens said.

"Both did a very good job on that, on masking their feelings," he added.

According to Discovery News, he noted that Obama did on a few occasions smile, which in this context could be a sign of arrogance, which he thought that Romney said was ridiculous.

Romney swallowed visibly, a sign of embarrassment, emotional anxiety or stress. Unlike Obama's, Romney's smile appeared scripted, like something he had learned to do, rather than a heartfelt impression, Givens said.

In the first presidential debate, the two candidates squared off from behind podiums. In Tuesday's debate, they had handheld microphones and could approach the audience, the moderator and each other when responding to a question.

When heated disagreements arose, one candidate would rise from his tall chair and approach his opponent or the moderator Candy Crowley.

"The only nonverbal thing I saw they didn't control was standing up," Givens said.

According to the report, when one candidate became upset and rose, he would square his chest towards his opponent or moderator, "a very primate type thing," Given said.

During the first debate, Romney's aggressive performance was widely seen as the more successful. This time, Obama turned up the heat, appearing more engaged and aggressive than before.

However, Givens said, "He is still very cerebral, thoughtful, whereas Romney is more of a brawler." (ANI)