Watch CBS News

Keller @ Large: What Can Candidates' Body Language Tell Us?

BOSTON (CBS) -- We are constantly deluged--especially during a campaign cycle--with all sorts of political rhetoric. But what do our political leaders and candidates tell us about themselves through their non-verbal communication?

WBZ body language expert Don Khoury says he has developed an algorithm to predict how candidates' non-verbal communication can affect voters.

"I can look at a candidate a year earlier and know where the polls will eventually go, or how they would match up against another candidate," said Khoury.

Khoury sat down with WBZ political analyst Jon Keller to discuss the remaining 2016 presidential candidates' body language. Khoury identified Donald Trump as having tremendous political body language.

"He's showing his palm, he's authoritative but not aggressive," said Khoury while watching a clip of Trump speaking at a rally. "He's pointing, but he's pointing to a specific person in a positive way...He's also being very definitive and confident in his responses, and people like that."

Khoury then watched a clip of Hillary Clinton discussing Trump's comments about women.

"There's disgust on her face," said Khoury. "Is it disgust about him, or disgust that she has to be bothered with these people? Is there a sense of entitlement there? It seems to me, from what I've seen of her, that there's a sense of entitlement that she shouldn't have to run against these people."

On Bernie Sanders, Khoury said he sees someone very in tune with his audience.

"I see him leaning into the crowd, he's slow, deliberative...nodding to the crowd, clapping for the crowd," said Khoury. "He's much more deliberate in his body language."

Keller and Khoury also talked about President Bill Clinton's non-verbal communication--as well as the body language of Roger Goodell.

You can find out more about Don Khoury and his work at donkhoury.com.

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.