228 I Can Read You Like a Book D
“Fighting the war on terror more effectively, and that includes
preventing Iran from having a nuclear weapon. Now how do you
do that? Let me tell you.” Kerry’s measured pace in saying the first
phrase stood in sharp contrast to the rapid, “Now how do you do
that?”—almost as if it were a single word. And when he followed
the question with the offer of an answer, he used a powerful illus-
trator: arm outstretched with palm upward. This is a classic gesture
indicating, “I’m magnanimous. I’m going to give you something.”
O’Reilly wouldn’t let him give anything, though. He used a
regulator—hands up like a stop sign—to put himself back on top. It
allowed him to ask another question first, a tactic that would inter-
rupt the flow of Kerry’s presentation and undermine his momentum.
Ah ha! Kerry was too clever for that. He shut O’Reilly out
again by driving on with his point and using his face: he narrowed
his eyes and essentially “closed” his face. He was speaking, not
inviting anyone else to speak. His subsequent tone of voice pro-
jected an image of educator more than politician, with face and
body communicating to O’Reilly as if he were a kid back at St.
Bridget’s Catholic School.
It looked as though the senator might be back on the campaign
trail.
Actors playing themselves
David Letterman’s interview with Johnny Depp on July 28,
2006, revealed something interesting. It seemed apparent that Depp
is, by nature, an introvert.
