The Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, has been under scrutiny for her often disjointed and perplexing speeches, which some experts suggest might be indicative of a psychological condition known as logorrhoea, colloquially referred to as 'verbal diarrhea.'
Harris, who recently received an endorsement from Joe Biden following his withdrawal from the presidential race, has become infamous for her convoluted speaking style.
According to the Daily Mail, some of her most bewildering speeches have revolved around topics such as the "significance of the passage of time" and the "need to get to go and need to be able to get where you need to go". An anecdote about falling from a coconut tree has also provided ample material for internet meme creators. A study that examined Harris's speech during a vice presidential debate concluded that "social factors" were the most likely cause of her verbal rambling.
Ratu Annisa from the University of North Sumatra stated, "The causes of the speech errors made by Kamala Harris are social factors, both situational anxiety and social circumstances." A 2009 Spanish study linked the risk of logorrhoea to educational attainment, with those having lower educational achievement more likely to "speak in circles". While it can be a symptom of anxiety or overconfidence, logorrhoea can also indicate serious conditions such as brain injury or autism, although there is no evidence to suggest that Harris suffers from these conditions.
Logorrhoea is also associated with random bouts of laughter, a trait that Harris has become known for, earning her the nickname "Laughin' Kamala" from Donald Trump. American behavioural specialist Gregg Levoy, in a blog post on Psychology Today, suggested that for those who ramble incessantly, speech can become "a barrier rather than a connector". He added, "It's a holdover from that original egocentric stage around one or two years old, when children naturally feel grandiose and at the centre of the universe."
However, logorrhoea is also a common frontal lobe deficit experienced by many traumatic brain injury survivors and is linked to several serious psychiatric and neurological disorders, including schizophrenia, brain lesions, damage to language-processing areas of the brain, and ADHD. It is also seen in individuals with autism, who may struggle to organise their thoughts or interpret social cues from others.
Harris's speech patterns have been particularly noticeable in several instances. In July 2022, during a White House speech about "expanding access to transportation", she said, "You need to get to go, and you to be able to get where you need to go, to do the work and get home." The same year, she delivered a widely-mocked speech about high-speed internet in Louisiana, repeatedly emphasising the "significance of the passage of time".
Her preoccupation with time was evident again last April at a political event on reproductive rights. She told attendees, "I think it's very important...for us at every moment in time and certainly this one, to see the moment in time in which we exist and are present, and to be able to contextualise it, to understand where we exist in the history and in the moment as it relates not only to the past but the future."
Harris's speeches have also included puzzling references to Venn diagrams and a baffling anecdote about falling from a coconut tree. After Biden's endorsement of Harris, her coconut tree comment went viral online, even inspiring a Washington bar to offer $5 'Pina Kamala' coconut shots.
Critics, including Republican strategist Matt Whitlock, have accused Harris of being unable to speak "normally". Whitlock posted, "Its pretty striking that she is simply incapable of speaking normally. Is she actually smoking weed before grabbing the mic? It would explain so much." Fox News's Laura Ingram also chimed in, saying, "While Joe is slipping into dementia, Kamala is slipping into a different dimension."
While the Vice President's speaking style continues to baffle many, it remains to be seen whether it will impact her political career or the public's perception of her. Despite the criticism, Harris continues to hold one of the highest offices in the country, a testament to her resilience and determination. However, the question remains: will her unique communication style hinder her ability to effectively convey her message and connect with the American people? Only time will tell.
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