What is with Harris’ voice flip-flops?
The news media — from FOX to ABC and others – have taken note of Vice President Harris’ habit of changing her speaking style when addressing different audiences. In one speech she speaks in her well educated elitist California English style.
In other addresses, she takes on what has been described as a “southern accent.” Some have called it street talk or Ghetto speak. The Toronto Sun referred to it as “fake cartoon-like accent.” What is obvious is that the change in speaking style is obvious.
Whatever it is, it is an apparent attempt to connect with specific audiences – but is it empathy or pandering? And does it have any insight into her character? Those are questions that can only be answered by those aware of Harris’ various “voices” – and very few will be.
It is not unique to Harris. An excerpt from my upcoming book on Democratic Party racism covered that subject in terms of President Johnson. I wrote:
“Johnson was also a master of ‘code-switching’ or subtly changing one’s normal speech style to fit the audience. Johnson biographer, Robert Caro, wrote that Johnson would calibrate his language by switching between “nigra” and “negra” depending on the regional background of the audience.”
There is also Father Michael Pfleger, a controversial White Catholic priest in Chicago with a predominantly Black congregation. The fair-haired pastor of German ancestry takes on an extreme Black preacher voice and style at the pulpit. Given his background – and how he speaks normally — it is an obvious stage act. While he apparently is very popular with his flock, I have found the habit to be condescending – an oral version of Blackface. But I am not a member of his church.
MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough occasionally puts on a deep southern accent as a form of humorous mockery – as if mockery is ever funny.
When asked about Harris’ code-switching by FOX White House reporter Peter Doocy, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre scoffed at the question and said she had no idea what Doocy was talking about. Since the story was carried on a number of news outlets – and his job is to follow the news — either Jean-Peirre is incompetent or … fibbing. I vote for the latter.
Agreed that Harris’ rhetorical flip-flopping is not the biggest issue in the world. It is an interesting observation, however – on a level with the mysteriously vanishing cackle. Politics is a performance art, and Harris is a pro.
So, there ‘tis.
I thought you were busy on your book? This one is pretty deep in the weeds…..for a busy man…..
I agree, and I have noted this too. Southern, black, union, you name it, she seems to shift the accent a lot. And she lost the cackle, that’s hard to do.
I moved a lot. Every five years growing up, and many states. People generally place my accent where they like since it apparently has many elements from many places. If I am in the South, after awhile, my accent moves Southern but I think it’s muscle memory from my ten years around DC in the hills near WV. The you-alls just pop up. I laugh as they turn into youse-alls in NJ.
When I visit relatives living on the Eastern Divide, coal country, it takes about 8 hours for my NJ pace to slow to acceptable WV speed levels. It’s not pandering in this case, but reaction to that look I get when I take off with a NJ/NY speed mouth :>)
So, spot on, and sure —- call that a compliment, I guess the second one as you count…… heh, heh.
But often I think they just come out to mirror where I think I am, other times as nerves surface.
Whatever, it’s a trait I try to diminish for the exact reasons you mention for Harris. I think everyone does it, but it’s not an affect I like in myself or in others due to the thought of pandering.
I suspect that Harris’ speaking was developed during her long years as a prosecutor, addressing jurors depending on who they were and what the case was all about. Which is why I do not think Harris is qualified for the job as president. Problem is, her opponent is even less qualified, so by default one has to vote for Harris. I’m glad she picked Walz as VP, hopefully Harris can learn from him about budgets and and like, something very few in Washington understand.
I’m not optimistic about the future no matter who wins, but for Yin and Yang, Harris should win in November so we can see how a Democrat deals with the upcoming Depression. Think Hoover.
Any solutions will be complicated by who controls the House and Senate, it’s not looking too good for Democrat control.
It also depends on whether the Republicans want to solve problems or just score political points, at the expense of very broke Americans.
Fourth Turning, anyone?
Don’t forget the Hillary speech in GA or AL. That was so bad even a dead Canadian could have identified it. I’ve used the technique in the past when in sales. The difference is being able to do it in a way that it doesn’t sound fake. It also doesn’t work if you’re well known over a wide area. I wasn’t.🤭
BWH: I agree plus the problem when it is involuntary as it happened to me and MAY be happening to Harris. It would be better if she stayed in her own voice. How many mistakes would be erased if politicians could just realize it’s all on tape, there are no backrooms or private settings anymore and a Tower of Babble to disseminate the real, the fake, and everything in between.
Who cares? At least she doesn’t slur and ramble like Trump! I did not rate this article because it was too stupid.
That’s what I will disagree with you, Tom. I think, changing your accent and speech to cater is a certain crowds can indeed be seen as pandering both by spectators and by the crowded self. Well, it may be innocent, not noticed by the speaker, just one of those things, the fact that it might be perceived is catering or pantry is not necessarily good thing.
as I said, on myself have noticed this with Harris most recently as she regaled some union while sounding like a high school, educated factory worker just coming off the line after the shift. Again, I can’t say that she meant it, planned it, or even knew that she was doing it. And, as I said, having lived in many places over the years, I find myself doing it most often, totally innocent, sort of how if someone keeps winking at you, you may, wink, if they smile, you may smile. Seems to be part of the human condition. But, it can also be seen and can be pandering and that’s a bad thing to be avoided.
Horist / Gilbertson —– no can comment on Horist school shooting tome. Can you open it up —– I’ve gots to be me……
Wierd, must be a Democrat/China/Russia/Woke plot turning it off. Should be on now. You be you!