MSNBC’s Olbermann debates Obama’s calmness

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Another converation between MSNBC co-anchors Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow, this one pondering the question: How calm can one person be?

Maddow: ‘Whatever it is that keeps him so calm apparently at all times is going through his mind right now. He is a man who has never in public life shown nervousness. He has shown emotion very rarely.’

Olbermann: ‘I will argue only one. And this is face-reading and it could be wildly wrong. That calmness looks a little like there’s calmness-helper involved. There’s a little bit of assumed calmness. ‘Assume the virtue if you have it not,’ to quote Shakespeare. The calmest man in the world could not be utterly calm under these circumstances, as naturally calm as he might be.’

Maddow: ‘I’ve seen him tear up twice in public, once talking about the death of his grandmother and once talking about his regret of not being able to spend enough time with his girls on the campaign trail. He is a calm and confident presence up close and from the base.’

— Maria Elena Fernandez

Assumed calmness Fernandez