Ahead of the Ontario election on June 12, we offer a look beyond the polls to face, body and handwriting analysis to understand the underlying messages the potential leaders are sending.
BODY LANGUAGE: Marcel Danesi, U of T pop culture semiotician
Kathleen Wynne, Liberal Party:
The word that perhaps summarizes Wynne’s bodily persona is “reassuring.” Her hand gestures are constantly reaching out to her audiences, as if she is giving or passing something on to them. This conveys sympathy for others. Unlike Hudak, her body does not convey strength; rather, it communicates empathy, understanding, and compassion.
Tim Hudak, Progressive Conservative:
Hudak presents a solid image of himself, as a sober, controlled, rational person. He is nice looking and exudes confidence. His shoulders, which he arches at the right moments, convey strength and determination. He looks right at his audience and never shies away from it. Like a friend or acquaintance, one feels that he can be trusted. He is a conservative and looks the part to perfection.
Mike Schreiner, Green Party:
Schreiner has the most active body of all the candidates. Through his constantly tilting posture he shows impatience at the way things are and the desire to change them quickly. He pumps his fist as in a rally gesture. This might attract young voters, but it becomes enervating if you are trying to figure out what he is truly saying.
Andrea Horwath, New Democratic Party:
Horwath is probably the most persuasive speaker of all the candidates. But when she speaks, she overcompensates by trying to tone down her body from getting excited about her ideas. This leaves us wanting her to “burst out” rather than “hold back.” She seems to be overly conscious of her appearance and thus keeps her body posture still (almost stiff).
FACIAL RECOGNITION: Garth Riley, author of The Face Factor
Kathleen Wynne, Liberal Party: Her hairstyle indicates she may be a bit hard-headed when processing or believing outside information. Her eyes suggest that she can be very guarded and skeptical on occasion. Her upper and lower lips reveal an ability to communicate freely without holding back. The shape of her chin indicates great follow-through and commitment.
Tim Hudak, Progressive Conservative: Hudak’s hairline indicates he processes information carefully. His forehead reveals a contemplative nature with a keen eye and strong attention to detail. His eyebrows indicate he prefers to primarily look at things from his own personal perspective. The shape of his upper lip suggests he is highly intuitive.
Andrea Horwath, New Democratic Party: Her forehead denotes an open-mindedness and an ability to gather information efficiently. The oval shape of her face indicates a strong ability to mediate naturally with compassion. This could also be interpreted to indicate boundless energy and great stamina. The tip of her nose suggests that she may be very direct when speaking her mind.
Mike Schreiner, Green Party: Schreiner’s forehead indicates a creative approach regarding problem-solving tactics. Although the tilt of the head (to the left) and left eye indicate that he can be emotional on occasion when dealing with certain hot-button issues. The tip of his nose suggests he is friendly and approachable. The shape of his chin reveals his innate mediating abilities.
HANDWRITING ANALYSIS: Elaine Charal, graphologist
Kathleen Wynne, Liberal Party: Her signature is clear and readable, which suggests she is a genuine person. The loop on her capital “K” is a “dancer’s stroke” indicating unique flair: people remember her. The high “T-bar” in her first name suggests that she will set high goals. The breakaway stroke in her “H” conveys initiative.
Tim Hudak, Progressive Conservative: His signature is illegible, which indicates that he tends to be more of a private person. The capital “H” in his family name resembles an enclosed bubble, this is a protective tendency that suggests a hesitancy to confide in just anyone. His “T-bar” moves upward revealing a hidden optimism.
Andrea Horwath, New Democratic Party: Andrea’s first name is legible, while her family name is illegible. This suggests that her personal accomplishments will be paramount to her. The tie loops in her capital “A” and “H” reveal her persistent nature. Moreover, the circling around her family name is another sign thought to convey persistence.
Mike Schreiner, Green Party: Only his first name is legible, indicating how important his personal accomplishments are to him. The mid-stroke on his capital “M” does not touch the imaginary baseline, indicating his problem-solving abilities are not always consistent. All of his “i-dots” are away from his “i-stems,” revealing a creative imagination.
