Lack of empathy dooms Larry Summers’ TV interview

The president’s chief economic advisor could use a heavy dose of media training the next time he steps in front of a camera

When are politicians going to learn how to talk to the public?

Lawrence Summers, President Obama’s chief economic advisor, appeared on ABC News’ This Week on Dec. 13 and simply failed. His performance exemplifies why good media training is so important.

There were lots of problems with his appearance, starting with his lack of eye contact. He failed to consistently look straight at the camera. Instead, his eyes often darted to the left. Perhaps he was looking at a monitor.

Wandering eyes can represent confusion or deceit.

ABC.com allows viewers to comment on its shows. One person wrote, “Man, that Larry Summers sure has shifty eyes – what did he keep looking to his left for? Advice from offstage? Pretty girl flirting? I had to shut it off it was so weird. Hard to trust a guy like that.”

Another wrote, “Most experts think that when someone looks left while talking it is a sign that they are lying.” (Read more responses here.)

Yet that was the least of his problems.