‘Dance of beauty’: Oprah stuns at Democratic National Convention
The former TV show host delivered a stunning presentation at the Democratic National Convention, while Tim Walz’s speech was described as overly “aggressive”.
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An Australian communication and body language expert has described Kamala Harris’ running mate’s speech as overly “aggressive”, meanwhile Oprah showed star power at the third day of the Democratic National Convention.
Dr Louise Mahler said Tim Walz’ performance was not quite befitting of the world stage.
“Here is a man visibly moved by the honour of the position,” she said.
“This is no statesman’s entrance. Although he points to the crowd as do many others, his wave and hand on his heart says this is a different flavour, possibly down a rung on what we would normally expect of a Vice Presidential nominee.
“He doesn’t have the flow of the bigger fish in the pond, although he works the rule of three thanking the audience “for your passion, your determination and your joy”.
Dr Mahler thought the audience might be “slightly tired of hearing the personal stories of being born into adversity”.
“This is certainly a framework that is more than standard and not something we in Australia feel ideally comfortable,” she said.
“Walz’s voice has a slight crackle from a tightness in his throat caused by a throwing of his head when he initiates sound.
“He has an anger in his body more like Biden than the power represented by Oprah or the Obama’s.
“His mouth seals shut at the end of sentences and he draws it down on either side. He throws his upper body forward he karate chops his gestures. This is strong, this is powerful and this is tough, but it is also aggressive and one feels if you were part of his high school football team they would take no prisoners on the field.”
The body language expert said as a veteran and hunter, was was “a better shot than many in Republican congress with the trophies to prove it”.
“He knows guns and the Americans fascination with guns is bizarre to those in other parts of the world,” Dr Mahler said.
She said Walz became more a more aggressive as the presentation went on. He waved his finger, his voice got more gravely and his gestures got “wild and incongruent”.
“Despite his rhetoric I think Walz is representing a stereotypical white Anglo-Saxon male baby boomer as a balance to their black, female candidate,” Dr Mahler said.
“Personally I think he would be more comfortable at an end-of year school football celebration than on the world stage and whether his attempted mid-west charm is a winner for the Harris campaign in the key swing states, only time will tell.”
Dr Mahler said Ms Harris’s choice in running mate was in stark contrast of that of Mr Trump’s.
“Trump has picked a running mate on his image – a mini-me in JD Vance. Harris has gone for the polar opposite, the angry white man, a veteran who loves guns and reviving up the rhetoric. Both are poor choices and something in the middle would have been far stronger choices for both campaigns,” she said.
Meanwhile, Oprah Winfrey’s performance was stunning, according to Dr Mahler.
“Oprah is right up there with the Obama’s,” she said.
“This is a woman who knows all the tricks of managing an audience, working the dynamics for an exhilarating climax and leaving the convention with a strong action, it was a stunning performance.
“She works her message from the beginning that is one of active participation in the voting process. She works her three stories of colour, poverty and adversity. She brings it all to a fever pitch before lassoing it back to make it clear, the action is to get out there and vote.
“This is a woman fully in control of her body, her gestures and her voice as an instrument of inspiration. Her arms wide, her thumbs up, her hands clasping together to show unity. Her voice is clear, enunciated and powerful.
“In fact, her words, voice and movement are a dance of congruence and beauty.”
“It is hard to believe that Oprah was once close to Trump, that is no longer, she is firmly in the Harris corner and Kamala’s campaign is the better for it.”
CLEVER GESTURE IN OBAMAS’ ‘DOUBLE ACT’
Former US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama’s appearance at the Democratic National Convention has been described as “perfection”, according to a leading expert in communication and body language.
“Obama is so confident in his own skin and he and Michelle are an incredible double act of excellence,” Dr Louise Mahler said.
“Their breath, their gestures, their voices, their frameworks of conversation as well as their humour is unsurpassable.
“They hold their bodies unblocked. Their eye contact is intense. Their hands guide your eyes – it is perfection!”
Dr Mahler described the former president’s energy in lower body as “outstanding”.
“He is the consummate performer and no matter how serious the issues talked of there is no upper body tension,” she said.
“The clever small hand gesture comparing Trump’s obsession with crowd size to something else men may be concerned about the size of was as brilliant at it is humorous.”
The communication expert described Mr Obama’s voice projection as “the most magnificent” she had heard in year.
“His sound is totally unblocked. It is clear unhindered production. He manages the audience to perfection,” Dr Mahler said.
“Oh, how we miss him with the current generation of politicians, both he and Michelle are first class – no wonder so many wanted Michelle to run.”
“Kamala should watch closely, as he if any of these incredible skills could rub off onto her, she would wipe the floor with Trump.”
‘STRONG ANGER’ MOMENT THAT REVEALS BIDEN’S REAL FRUSTRATION
US President Joe Biden looked “strong and rested” and “soaked in the adoration” as he addressed the Democratic National Convention, a leading body language expert concluded.
Dr Louise Mahler said seeing the 81-year-old “wipe tears from his eyes” after congratulating his daughter on her speech was “a nice touch of stage managing” and avoided any awkwardness as he next claimed the podium.
“In a nice touch of stage managing, Biden being walked to the microphone stopped us seeing the usual slow walk which would have undermined his entrance,” she said.
“Spreading his arms wide and confidently, he kept them open throughout and his voice was strong as he thanked the audience who were going crazy with clapping and cheers.”
“He looked strong and rested compared to recent appearances and the decision to walk away from the race seems to have dialled down the pressure he was placing on himself.”
She said the Democrat visibly soaked up the adoration and audience chants of “thank you Joe” but his address was “a little sloppy”.
“Unusually Biden’s mouth seemed lopsided with his left side more closed than his right, perhaps a sign of ill health, although this came and went throughout the presentation,” she said.
“His open stance and strong voice were something that has been unseen for some time, but his diction was still a little sloppy missing the ‘c’ on words like ‘political’.
“Raising his right hand to the future. He slammed his fist on the lectern and his gestures seemed once again re-energised and in time with his words. His eyes were focused but weirdly remained unblinking for uncomfortable for lengths of time.
“His voice never faltered, and his breath remained strong. At times his jaw seemed a little loose and not so in control. He stammered and gulped and coughed at one stage – but these were minimal compared to recent speeches.”
Dr Mahler said Mr Biden’s anger about the issues which led to him handing the baton over to Kamala Harris as the 2024 Democratic candidate seemed at times, “a little too bitter with his eyes thinning”.
“A giveaway of his underlying disappointment in being removed from the race was the vague mention of Harris with a preponderance of the word “I” – his frustration not so much at Harris but at those who pushed him out,” she said.
“As he spoke of the future, his mouth hung open, his eyes glazed, the left side of his mouth kept a little closed and he leant forward slightly.
“Sometimes his did a harsh vocal approach, called a glottal stop, and his mouth pulled down to reveal the back teeth of his lower jaw. These are expressions of strong anger – this was a fierce eulogy on his achievements.”
Originally published as ‘Dance of beauty’: Oprah stuns at Democratic National Convention
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