Washington: If the US presidential election were decided by speeches alone, it would be over already. Barack Obama soars, John McCain struggles. Obama beams, McCain grins at the wrong time. Obama looks off into a heavenly distance and then right at you. McCain pivots his head in three positions - left, centre, right, centre, left, centre, right. He may be speaking to "my friends" but he is looking, quite obviously, at a projected script. Both use a teleprompter, but you can only tell with one of them. When McCain is on stage making a big speech, you can imagine yourself in his shoes, as if you're in a panicky dream that traps you some place you don't belong, with all those eyes on you. Evoking empathy His discomfort makes him authentic and that's one reason it's not game over. McCain shares certain qualities with candidates...
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