McCain never looked at Obama; never addressed him (Clarence Thomas, interview, generation)

[laysayfair]

Originally Posted by atxcio

But no eye contact with your opponent? Even if you detest them, can you not at least meet their glance when they are glaring right at you? Surely, even in martial arts, looking away is not a position of power. It's a position of weakness. My question is why??

When I despise someone I don't look at them. I want them to know they are beneath my notice and don't deserve the respect of the eye contact I give to everyone else.

[tinman01]

Originally Posted by atxcio

But no eye contact with your opponent? Even if you detest them, can you not at least meet their glance when they are glaring right at you? Surely, even in martial arts, looking away is not a position of power. It's a position of weakness. My question is why??

Okay I will try to explain it.
Was McCain in danger of being assaulted? NO Its a position of weakness by whose measure? Not mine.. For me its an indication of lack of respect, and McCain did glance at Obama on occasion. So What?
Martial arts. If I am about to throw down I don't waste time glaring, staring, or talking crap. Once I understand that my opponent will settle for nothing less than a physical confrontation I deliver it post haste.
Eye contact in some neighborhoods will actually cause a confrontation. As I said before if McCain looks at Obama or not I could care less. What mattered were the answers.

[bryan61]

In some Native American cultures it is rude to look a person in the eye.

Originally Posted by atxcio

But no eye contact with your opponent? Even if you detest them, can you not at least meet their glance when they are glaring right at you? Surely, even in martial arts, looking away is not a position of power. It's a position of weakness. My question is why??

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by laysayfair

When I despise someone I don't look at them. I want them to know they are beneath my notice and don't deserve the respect of the eye contact I give to everyone else.

Ok... but it also could be interpreted as the reaction of a spoiled child, unwilling or afraid to compete in the game.

Remember that McCain had attempted to avoid or postpone the fight altogether. I'd find it easier to accept your argument that McCain simply doesn't think Obama deserves any acknowledgment by him if he hadn't already tried to get out of the debate. But given the circumstances, it looks like either rage control or fear that kept McCain from looking his opponent in the eye.

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by bryan61

In some Native American cultures it is rude to look a person in the eye.

Ok, wasn't aware we were now conducting debates by Native American rules.

[bryan61]

Maybe he has to get in a shell in order to concentrate. Ascribing some psychopahtic hatred and anger to this behaivior is ridiculous

[Robert A]

John McCain, the Native-American POW maverick sensei.

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by tinman01

Okay I will try to explain it.
Was McCain in danger of being assaulted? NO Its a position of weakness by whose measure? Not mine.. For me its an indication of lack of respect, and McCain did glance at Obama on occasion. So What?

No, McCain wasn't in danger of being assaulted, but a debate is essentially combat. To me, the position of power is not to turn away. Sure, you can disrespect someone by not making eye contact in a non-combat situation. But when it is a fight, especially a public one, you would always give your opponent (at least in martial arts) the appropriate respect and would never be afraid to look them in the eye.

Perhaps McCain didn't consider this a fight... if so, he made a huge tactical error. Or maybe he already surrendered by even showing up (after trying not to), and felt this was just a ceremony? In that context, a reluctant surrender, the lack of eye contact makes total sense.

[tinman01]

So according to some if you don't maintain steady eye contact you are afraid, intimidated or a spoiled child.
According to others like me it could mean that you just don't respect your opponent enough to look at them.
Once again SO WHAT? What mattered was their answers.

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by tinman01

So according to some if you don't maintain steady eye contact you are afraid, intimidated or a spoiled child.
According to others like me it could mean that you just don't respect your opponent enough to look at them.
Once again SO WHAT? What mattered was their answers.

Unfortunately, the answers are often all political speak and of no substance. Really, what did NEW things we learn about the candidates by their answers? I'd say nothing, but if you disagree I'd love to hear how McCain won people over with his answers.

I think the debate is "won" or "lost" by one-upmanship, body language, and sound bites. The jury is still out, but I thought it very unusual that McCain wouldn't look his opponent in the eye. I think there is something bigger that can be read into that...