It has been said that in a job interview, failing to look the interviewer in the eye is fatal.

[Berry Cool]

Now granted, John McCain was not being interviewed by Barack Obama, but he was supposed to be interacting with him in a debate format, and he responded to statements Obama made. This is like any other conversation one might have with someone. If you talk to someone about anything and that person responds without looking you in the eye, what impression does it give you? If a third party sees that person not looking you in the eye, what impression does that person receive?

There are cultures where looking someone in the eye is actually considered rude and intrusive. In the United States, we get educated so that we understand that these cultures exist and how to interact with them so as not to appear too direct and impolite, and so that we understand that when people from those cultures avoid our eyes, we realize they're not being dishonest or rude, just trying to be polite according to the rules of their own culture.

When an American interacts with an American, however, eye contact sends a stronger message than words.

We can fuss and worry all we want about the words used last night and who used the best ones. But John McCain's lack of eye contact with Barack Obama was a big deal, and I think it could be bigger than we anticipated at first.

Just as if you went on a job interview and you said everything in the world to make it clear that you had the qualifications and experience and were the very best person for the job, it wouldn't mean much if you said it all while staring at your lap or at the floor or at the interviewer's door.

[obietiger]

1. I agree with you

The lack of eye contact was the first thing I noticed in the debate and I thought - how rude. So the whole debate I tried to figure out why he was doing it. I still don't know why. Was he trying to show a lack of respect? or need to study his papers in front of him? or was he just uncomfortable in the whole situation? Senator Obama was so good at directing his answers and eye contact to McCain, the camera, and the interviewer.

[napi21]

2. The best analysis I heard was on MSNBC last night when someone

said "McNuts' body language was stating that he didn't think Obama had any right to be on the stage with him." I believe that what it was. He thinks he's sooo much better & more experienced than that new guy, he's just not going to recognize his presence.

[obietiger]

4. I think so too

that was the impression that he gave

[joop]

3. wingnuts on the board I mod insist

It's because of his war injuries-- he CAN'T look that direction...

:eyes:

[obietiger]

5. ask them

that if that is true, why didn't he ask to change sides with Senator Obama

[nini]

6. are his feet broken too - he could have simply turned his whole body to face him

They're so lame to even try that one. LOL

[firedupdem]

7. If that were true it wouldn't be the first time this we're hearing about it.

Just like he supposedly can't lift his arms or use a keyboard because of his injuries. Thats crap.

[DevonRex]

10. LOL. They use that excuse for everything, don't they. And if all of

it were true, he'd be something like a quadriplegic.

[napi21]

11. Yes, like not being able to type because he can't lift his arms

above his head! If THAT'S really the problem, he must be trying to use the keyboard when it's on his HEAD!

[DevonRex]

14. That one really cracked me up. He must have a ceiling keyboard

or something.

[vaberella]

13. That's BS. n/t

[DevonRex]

8. ITA. The fact that he NEVER looked him in the eye when speaking

to Obama or about Obama made him appear shifty and cowardly. It's just a fact that that is how we perceive it in our culture. And that idea is so strong that we frequently tell people to look us right in the eye when they say something. I said that to my kids a lot, when I had to decide if they were telling me the truth about something.

[TeamJordan23]

9. Just imagine if it was the other way around.

Just imagine all the criticism that Obama would be getting.

[vaberella]

12. Agreed. Can't lack of eye contact be seen two ways. 1) contempt or 2) fear ?! n/t