Bush*Co's best and worst liars

[William Seger]

Dick Cheney is the best liar in the administration, hands down. I believe he could look you in eye and tell you that the earth is flat with such gravitas and sincerity that you might start thinking, gosh, maybe those pinhead scientists got it wrong.

Condi Rice and Donnie Rumsfeld are among the worst liars. The awkward body language when they're lying is one clue, but the real give-away is the look in the eyes. Regardless of what's coming out of their mouths, their eyes are saying, "Oh gawd, I really really hope they're buying this bullshit. I really really hope nobody challenges me on this, 'cause I just might explode."

But the worst Bush*Co liar is Mr. Restoring Integrity himself. Granted, he's much better when he's reading a prepared statement of lies and has practiced it a few times, but when he's lying extemporaneously, he's just plain awful at it. It's embarrassingly ridiculous when he leans forward, mouth agape, glancing around the audience -- exactly like a little kid saying, "Yes I did my homework, I just lost it! You believe me, don't you? Don't you?!"

[annabanana]

1. very astute observations

Ari Fleisher was a much better liar than Scottie...

(this is fun)

[William Seger]

2. Absolutely

Scottie seems to be somewhat nervous when he's lying -- almost like he has a conscience (but I could be reading too much into that). Ari lied with a nonchalance that was very impressive.

[kay1864]

4. Scottie, I knew Ari Fleischer...

Ari Fleischer was someone I saw on TV. You sir, are no Ari Fleischer.

(No, I don't admire AF. To be honest, I can't stand either one of them. But you gotta admit that Scottie is way out of his element. Ari could lie w/o breaking a sweat, then bark "Next question." Scottie just looks nervous and says "You'd have to talk to the Pentagon/Congress/whoever" or "I can't comment on an ongoing investigation". Ari at least made you think that he answered the question.

I'm glad he's gone, so that we can make fun of Scottie. :bounce: )

[liberal N proud]

3. Cheney never looks anyone in the eye

If you watch any of his interviews, he is always looking down, keeps anyone from being able to read his lies.

[William Seger]

7. Yes, he does

You're right that he doesn't maintain constant eye contact, but he uses it to punctuate the lies. It's really a glare, timed perfectly when he gets right to the heart of the lie -- right at the point when bad liars will look away -- and I thinks it's one of the things that make him such an exceptional liar. In my example, he might be talking away while looking down, right up to the point when he says "earth is flat," which would be delivered with a stare like a hunter looking down a gun sight. Then, he would look down and continue talking with a facial expression that says, "I have nothing but contempt for anyone who didn't already know that."

[annabanana]

5. kicking for nighttime players

Who are accomplished liars, and who are rank amateurs?

[BuyingThyme]

6. Rumsfeld has Cheney beat. Rummy runs the show, yet people

still believe that he offered to resign...twice!

[Disturbed]

8. Rove is an expert liar.

Some people are just smooth when they are lying.