Newswise — Forget the polling data on how the remaining presidential contenders might fare against each other in November. You can get a visceral sense of what the match-ups may produce by the way the candidates move. As certified movement analysts, we see campaigns as elaborate dances and, sometimes, athletic confrontations.
Clinton vs. McCain: Flat-Footed Flamenco
Both of these candidates are running as solid, experienced, grounded leaders; both have a touch of high-mindedness. But while Mrs. Clinton showed some softness and accommodation and Mr. McCain showed a small moment of actual enjoyment in New Hampshire, expect this dance to be brutal and tough. Neither of these two is likely to "follow" the other. Both can have set jaws and we can imagine the grit with which they may face each other. And both are capable of holding their ground and digging in their heels. In fact, the contest may look more like wrestling than waltzing.
Obama vs. McCain: The Basketball Player and the Tight End
This one would be interesting. Do the American people prefer the one who can dribble for a while until making the shot? Or do we want the solid immovable guy who will hunker down and block the pass? Barack Obama's short spurts of flow, coupled with his ability to almost levitate when he gets going on his oratory, contrast with John McCain's stolid and relentless ability to keep pushing back and through. Watch the difference in how they stand behind a podium and deliver a message: Obama seems to be dancing back there, turning this way and that, while McCain holds onto the sides of the podium and occasionally stares down his opponents.
Clinton vs. Romney: The Realist and the Optimist
This could turn into a movie musical, with the relentlessly upbeat Romney tap dancing his way into the hearts of millions, while Hillary Clinton tries to transcend her dark, somber modern dance. Or, viewed from the opposite side of the stage, it might look like Hillary Clinton dancing circles around the always-erect Mitt Romney. Nobody would make her seem more down-to-earth than the oddly cheerful Mr. Romney and no one would make him seem more optimistic and hopeful than the grounded, pragmatic Mrs. Clinton.
Obama vs. Romney: The Cakewalk Competition
In this scenario, Obama would come off as the virtuosic mover, while Romney would keep it simple. They would not even pay a shred of attention to each other. We are not sure that even eye contact would ensue. In competition dances, this may be best. It would remain to be seen who has the best moves and who "takes the cake." And yes, that is, in part, a race reference: the Cakewalk was a competition dance between slaveholders of slaves out-performing each other, with the winning dancer taking the cake. Such competitions produced an evolution of dance steps the world had never before beheld, blending African, Irish, and English contra-danse. But in the Romney-Obama competition, we would not expect much blending to take place.
Obama vs. Huckabee: Liturgical Dance of the American Spirit
Here you would see two men who do well from the pulpit, taking a higher road " perhaps a more lyrical one to boot. Both men have rhythm and game and a connection to their hearts. Both are highly relational and attuned to the audience, and both perform with grace. Gov. Huckabee often spreads his arms and then brings the conclusion of his message straight to his chest, with a gesture to and from the heart. Sen. Obama often turns from one side to the other with a gesture of the hand from the heart to the audience, a reaching out and across.
Clinton vs. Huckabee: The Arkansas Two-Step
Mrs. Clinton would have to channel her ability to be a little softer, more southern, more mobile, and surely she will need to listen and attune more. Mr. Huckabee will need to get a little tougher and become more a paragon of strength in addition to being a paragon of compassion. Expect a lot of trading off between meandering and straight pathways, between zooming in and stepping back to take in the whole. This competition is complex and full!
The season promises to provide an extravaganza of opportunities to assess the abilities of these candidates to perform, respond, interact and reveal who they truly are. And as the music changes constantly, with new beats and tunes required, steps are easy to change, if one is listening and responsive to the music. It's not how they run; it's how they dance.
Karen Bradley is a visiting associate professor of dance at the University of Maryland. Karen Studd is an associate professor of dance at George Mason University. Both are certified movement analysts.
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