By: Carly Fister
Designer

As you may or may not be aware, there is a presidential election going on. You probably haven’t heard anything about it. But it is our job to be a well-informed public and elect a leader that won’t have the rest of the world laughing in our faces and is also up to the task of running our country.

Putting the politics aside, there is more to consider than you may think when choosing our next president. Perhaps you know their policy inside and out, but have you thought about the next four years with their stupid face staring back at you? For every press conference, public address, State of the Union, and every other minute thing that we broadcast you are going to watch and listen to them speak. And for some this may be harder than any of us could possibly anticipate.

As I watched a Republican Town Hall in mid-February with a group of coworkers, we began looking at the different hand movements of each candidate. Now, while there are probably some drinking games we could associate with these, I went in a different direction. I spent my Spring Break watching videos of each candidate speaking and singling out their “tick,” so to speak. Below are the fruits of my labor. So, let’s meet the candidates, shall we?

Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz can’t seem to stop wandering somewhere over the rainbow. He often will put his palm out in front of him as shown above and moves it across his body to illustrate his point, almost as if drawing the “imagination” rainbow Spongebob Squarepants style. Or maybe that’s just how the Zodiac Killer does things. We’ll never know.

John Kasich

I have to admit, I keep forgetting Kasich is still in the race, not having heard much about him, well, ever. And while watching this Ohio Governor speak, it is easy to see why. His movements, and his personality, seem to be very moderate. A gentle open palm facing up and flattened out seems to be his go-to. Not too difficult to watch every speech, but we also have to care what he says. We’ll see if anyone ever does.

Donald Trump

Everyone knows Donald Trump, and many of us are afraid of him, and that’s the way he likes it. His movements are full of authority with sharp jabs of his hands and waving his arms as he complains about his fellow candidates, the media, and pretty much everything. Oh, and of course, China.

Hillary Clinton

I don’t have the preconceived notions about Hillary Clinton that many voters do since I first knew her as the 2008-election-Hillary. But I will say when watching her it is apparent that Hillary has been coached on how to speak and how to animate herself. Her strange point with her whole hand type of movement that she uses to emphasize random words seemed a little too rehearsed to me (and a touch out of rhythm with what she is saying) and she never looks entirely comfortable with the motions. Maybe this is her attempt at bringing her personality into her campaign and her years of ridicule make her hesitant to commit? It’s hard to tell.

Bernie Sanders

Ahh, Bernie Sanders. I have a soft spot in my heart for this human Birkenstock, as he’s been called. Any 75 year-old man that reminds me of an 18 year-old who would live in a tree to keep it from being cut down just makes me smile, you know? Especially when said person has a heavy Brooklyn accent which is all peace and love. Bernie wants you to take action! And join the revolution! He emphasizes this with a lot of hand waving and sharp, prodding motions and pointing at the audience, calling them to action. Will you answer?