Body Language of Debate

INSIDE EDITION reports on what some body language experts are saying about the subtle moves of President Obama and Mitt Romney in their first debate.

What does body language tell us about the historical presidential debate?  

President Obama looked confident at the start, but body language expert Tonya Reiman told INSIDE EDITION things quickly went downhill.

"Obama is looking down a lot. Most people would perceive that as a weakness. And in this situation it is slightly a weakness, because he doesn't look confident," Reiman told INSIDE EDITION's Paul Boyd.

She says the president's blinking eyes gave him away.

"When you watch, you recognize that there is an increase in blink rate. And that's kind of letting you know that his 'fight or flight' mode is kicking in and he's starting to feel anxious," said Reiman.

"He's actually blinking more," said Boyd.

"Right, so when your blink rate goes up it is indicitive of stress and anxiety," said Reiman.

Mitt Romney had his own body language issues according to Reiman, author of The Yes Factor.

"Look at his facial expression," said Reiman. "It is a sarcastic smirk. So what Romney needs to do, he needs to get his neutral face a little bit better, because people think that he comes across arrogant when he looks. And that little tongue swipe, he does that a lot throughout the debate."

Most polls say Romney won the debate, and our body language expert says he knew he'd done well during his closing statement.  He actually bounced up and down on his toes.  

"What he's saying is, 'I am excited. I feel good. I feel confidant. I feel powerful,'" said Reiman.

The President's body language is now being used against him in an ad just released by the Republicans. It shows him smirking during Romney's attacks over the economy.

Boyd said, "The Republicans say that's a smirk. Do you see that?"

"It is a smirk. But it's a tight-lipped smirk, in that you know there is frustration and tension," said Reiman.

At the end of the debate, family members gathered on stage and Romney lifted his 12-year-old grandaughter, Chloe.

The microphones were off, leading Diane Sawyer to wonder what was being said.

"We'd like to have lip readers, wouldn't we. Maybe we'll get some," Sawyer said during her post-debate commentary.

Well, we thought that was a pretty good idea, so we asked lip reader Larry Wenig to tell us.

"What does President Obama say to Mitt Romney's grandaughter?" Boyd asked.

"'Hello, how are you? What's your name?'" said Wenig.

"It's just small talk between the families," said Boyd.

"Correct," said Wenig.

Ann Romney and  Michelle Obama shared a hug in front of the audience in Denver. The first lady sat in the audience next to her best friend Valerie Jarrett, who wore a shawl because of the freezing air conditioning.

The next presidential debate is October 16, a date that's looming large with both men.

Wenig says after the debate Obama said, "'Good game. Nice job. We'll do some more of this."

"He's ready for round two," said Boyd.