Is it an affectation that they're trained to deploy? (If so, why?) Or is it just a natural thing that happens in the very specific circumstance of being a politician on the campaign trail, and that's why no one else seems to do it?

I don't think I've seen it in any other context πŸ€”

Cheers!

A photo of a hand doing a pinchy, half-committed 'thumbs up' gesture common amongst political speakers
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[–] 212 points 1 year ago (17 children)

from what i remember, they are coached to do it because pointing is seen as too aggressive but not making any hand gestures is too robotic. so its a way to make a non-aggressive emphatic hand gesture.

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  • [+] 124 points 1 year ago (14 children)
  • [–] 80 points 1 year ago (10 children)

    Only to people who are actually paying attention to a lot of politicians and likely looking exactly this up.

    For the majority of the public? it is just "good public speaking".

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  • [–] 24 points 1 year ago (6 children)

    I miss Obama and other politicians who could actually speak.

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  • [–] 15 points 1 year ago (5 children)

    Yeah.

    Although I recently heard him on Marc Maron's podcast, and was rather disappointed.

    He's still far, far more lucid than most other politicians, but he came off as wildly out of touch, which I didn't recall him being 10 years ago.

    Oh well, that's the match of time for you.

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