Speculation About McCain's Body Language
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Desperate to know whether Senator John McCain would support President Trump's most recent healthcare plan, people took to Twitter to report signs. A Mashable writer jokes, "Journalists and regular viewers became McCain body language experts, watching the Republican Senator's every move, smile, blink, and nose scratch."
A Washington Post article cites evidence of a "no" vote: getting a hug from California Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein and observing two Republican senators apparently trying to persuade McCain to stick with their team.
He did vote "no," along with two other Republicans who also broke ranks to defeat the plan. It's hard to see from the photo, but the Post reports, "Take a look at the body language in the room. Democrats look positively giddy (several audibly gasp, while others clap)." The writer also identifies, "Meanwhile, Sen. Mitch McConnell looks on with his arms crossed, resigned to defeat, as the rest of the GOP leadership team stands silently. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) lets his head drop."
Discussion:
- The speculation from body language turned out to be correct, but did people read too much into it?
- Should Senator McCain have been more discreet to keep his position private before the vote, or doesn't it matter? Consider McCain's history, if you know his background.
