U.S.POLITICS

Body language expert breaks down Hochul-Blakeman debate

One human behavior expert says Hochul looked defensive while Blakeman pressed her on energy costs, taxes and antisemitism; the debate was Tuesday, and the race is New York's.

On air: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Gloria Vance on BBN Newsroom
Published 11:17 AM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Gloria Vance on this story, from BBN Newsroom at 11:17 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are New York Post's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

Photo: Kathy Hochul — Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

At a glance

First reported by New York Post: “‘A deer in the headlights’: Body language expert breaks down wild debate between Hochul and Blakeman”.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 11:17 AM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Gloria Vance.
Topics: Blakeman, Kathy Hochul.
BBN covered this story before: Hochul, Blakeman clash over immigration and ICE in NY debate (October 15).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

New York Post‘A deer in the headlights’: Body language expert breaks down wild debate between Hochul and Blakeman

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHere it is, the story we hinted at: a body language expert told the New York Post that Governor Kathy Hochul looked defensive and dismissive in Tuesday's debate, like a deer in the headlights.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe same expert says Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman was aggressive, attacking over energy costs, taxes and antisemitism, and sometimes visibly angry.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnger and a deer. Somebody tell the voters it's a nature documentary.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNarrated by a man who reads faces for a living.

▶ Watch BBN liveMore U.S. →

More Shorts

All videos →

Photo: Arturo Pardavila III on Flickr; cropped and contrast… · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 2.0
▶ As it aired · U.S.Michael Che dodges questions about Gillis' SNL monologue on TodayRead the story
Photo: Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
▶ As it aired · U.S.Severe drought declared and hosepipe bans in forceRead the story
▶ Hot Take or Not · U.S.NFL Week 6 Upsets: Never Trust a Favorite, Fear the DrizzleAbout this segment
▶ As it aired · U.S.Hillary Clinton calls 2016 9/11 near-fainting a 'mistake'Read the story
▶ As it aired · U.S.New menopause guidelines strongly back hormone therapyRead the story
▶ Hot Take or Not · U.S.Joe Buck's $108M ESPN Deal: Why Aikman Is Really MadAbout this segment
Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0
▶ As it aired · U.S.Rhode Island Farmer Grows Record-Breaking PumpkinRead the story
Photo: Office of Congresswoman Nancy Mace · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
▶ As it aired · U.S.3 Men Accused by Nancy Mace in House Speech Are Charged With Sex…Read the story
▶ Interviews · U.S.Lawrence Mayor Refuses to ResignAbout this segment
Photo: Burger · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
▶ As it aired · U.S.Retail sales up in September, but gas took a big chunkRead the story