RFK, Jr. on "Hardball." What's wrong with his voice?

[DemoTex]

Is he nervous or does he suffer the same affliction on NPR's Diane Rehm. I do like his thoughts on conservation.

[kanrok]

1. He sounded the same on another program recently

It sounds like he's losing his voice.

[Langis]

2. He has always sounded like that

At least for the last 2 years he has.

[The Hair in my Nose]

8. My wife...

...thinks he sounds like Kathryn Hepburn. Not good!

[clydefrand]

3. I heard him on TV this week and noticed the same

thing about his voice. Maybe he has a sore throat. I've heard him in the past and he didn't sound that way. Hopefully, it's just a temporary problem. Maybe it's the damn pollution in the environment doing to him what it does to me.

[benddem]

4. He's been sounding the same for some months now

I think he should see a neurologist. Could be MS

[DemocratSinceBirth]

6. He Sounded That Way Since The First Time I Heard Him...

I don't think it's a neurological defecit or MS... Something with his larnyx I presume...

[depakid]

5. I heard him on CSPAN

and he had a distinct quiver in his voice. It sounded exactly like the nervousness I've heard when judging forensics, but considering his many years of courtroom experience, I'm left to wonder whether there is something physical going on.

[rainy]

7. I wondered the same thing months and months ago...

and he has always sounded the same each time I hear him.

[Kahuna]

9. He's always sounded like that. Some DUers said that he had a

medical condition. He sure is getting handsome though. :smoke:

[Maddy McCall]

11. Has always been handsome. Like his dad.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

15. Like The Man On My Avatar Who's Hand I Shaked When I Was Six

NT

[Salviati]

10. I believe it is the same thing as Diane Rehm has...

I remember reading that in a post here a while ago, but can't remember where the link was to that had the info...

On edit:

Yes, it is. It's mentoned here in an article about using botox to treat the disorder, which is called spasmodic dysphonia:



http://www.indystar.com/articles/0/165318-1420-047.html

Having Botox injected into your vocal cords might not sound like fun, but for the nation's estimated 15,500 sufferers of the voice disorder spasmodic dysphonia, it's a godsend.

Botox is best known for its powers to reduce wrinkles. But a new study validates the almost decade-long use of the potent neurotoxin to quell the voice disorder that gives a strained, broken or sometimes breathy tone to people who have the condition, who include Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and National Public Radio's Diane Rehm.

[starroute]

17. I have a friend with that

At least, I'm pretty sure it's the same thing. It's rough for people who have to do public speaking, but it's not a huge problem otherwise or a symptom of anything worse.

[Maddy McCall]

12. It's spasmodic dysphonia...

a neural problem with the larnyx.

More about it here:

http://www.dysphonia.org/nsda/

[glitch]

13. His voice doesn't sound good but his words sure do!

He's sharp and eloquent. He really abused his vocal chords at the convention though.
He needs to save his voice and remember the microphone can be adjusted.

[DemoTex]

14. There is another possibility:

That is exactly what happened to my voice on ACE inhibitors, angiotension II inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and alpha-blockers. I also developed laryngitis and bronchitis on those blood pressure drugs. That leaves the beta-blocker and diuretic for my B/P problem. They make me lethargic and "see-stars" with coughs and sneezes. That's why I am medically disqualified to fly.

[cmd]

16. So that's where the stars I see come from!

Thanks, Doc. Is this something to be concerned about for a geezerette who doesn't drive more than fifty miles a week?

[DemoTex]

18. Driving when you feel just-OK and flying a MD-80 with 148 passengers ...

Are very different things. However, my reaction to attenolol -the beta-blocker that is so effective - makes me have to plan long drives around dosage. But now that I am out of Texas, I don't do many long drives anymore.

[Comicstripper]

19. RFKJR

I was never a huge environmentalist, I always thought there were more important issues (and still do), but seeing RFKJR on C-SPAN, going on about Bush's environmental policies, really woke me up. He oughta run for congress. I'd vote for him.
And yes, he does sound a little Diane Rehm-y. I suspect it is medical.

[depakid]

20. EPA Chief or Secretary of the Interior

That's my prediction, if Kerry wins the election.

[jean]

21. His grandmother, Rose Kennedy, had that same voice