What's Wrong With Robert Kennedy, Jr.'s Voice? It Always SoundsStrained...

[arwalden]

... and tense. Have you noticed it? Sometimes it wavers and cracks. Other times it reminds me of someone who has just taken a big hit off a joint, but they try to talk *and* hold in the smoke at the same time.

I really admire him... but it's awfully distracting.

Does he just need to hire a good vocal coach and public speaking adviser? Or has he had some sort of trauma to his vocal cords? Surgery? Tumor?

What's the story there?

-- Allen

[BrklynLiberal]

1. I think he has severe asthma.

[Avalux]

2. I've noticed the same thing and I really don't know why -

perhaps he is just nervous to speak in public :shrug: It's a shame really, he's a good looking guy and so very intelligent. Could be the reason he's never sought public office (or one of them, aside from the obvious). I happen to respect the man a great deal.

[burrowowl]

3. Apparently it is the way his voice is

Just be patient as if you were listening to someone who stutters or someone who has had their larnyx removed, or a French Swiss person (I didn't believe French jokes until I went there, there was a fascinating program on flower evolution (orchids being the lastest by a French Swiss scientist it was fascinating and maybe waiting for the word to finish and the space between them gave you time to concentrate and think about what was beening said): they are the slowest speaking people on Earth!)

Cheers!

I loved RFK and he does more than honor to RFK!

[retread]

4. I could be mistaken, but I believe he has the same problem as Diane Rehm.

I think it is a neurological disorder maybe spasmodic dysphonia?

[Obamarama]

5. Yes, he spoke about it on the Diane Rehm Show, actually....

She was interviewing him about his environmental work.

[arwalden]

6. She Doesn't Seem To Struggle With It As Much...

... although wavering, her voice and vocal patterns sound less forced. And it seems age-appropriate for her as well. I'm reminded a little bit of Katharine Hepburn when I hear her speak.