Harris Revives Infamous Catchphrase, Sparking Memes and Capturing Attention

During a recent campaign speech in Pittsburgh, Vice President Kamala Harris revived a controversial phrase that has garnered both praise and criticism in the past.

Speaking to the audience on Monday, Harris repeated the line: “We have dreams. We can see what is possible, unburdened by what has been.” This phrase first appeared in her speech in Ghana in March 2023, as noted by the Daily Mail.

Harris’ use of the line during her Pittsburgh speech quickly captured attention on social media, with users from across the political spectrum reacting. Supporters viewed it as a reaffirmation of her forward-thinking vision, while critics dismissed it as another example of her “word salad” style, which they argue muddles her intended messages.

The vice president first introduced this line in Ghana, where she discussed innovation and its necessity to “challenge the premise, question the status quo, and embrace bold thinking,” as noted by the Daily Mail. She told a group of young people there that innovation also involved “the pursuit of what can be unburdened by what has been.”

The latest use of the phrase sparked a flurry of memes online, including one that humorously compared Harris to a character from The Simpsons, where Bart Simpson is prompted to repeat his catchphrase, “Say the line, Bart!”

Others used well-known meme formats, like the scene of Leonardo DiCaprio pointing at a television from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, to highlight the moment when Harris repeated her now-famous line.

A more direct response came from a Trump-affiliated campaign account, which openly criticized the vice president.

“Kamala gets flustered, defaults to her favorite cringe, recycled line: ‘We can see what is possible, unburdened by what has been!’” the account posted, emphasizing what they described as her reliance on the phrase in moments of pressure.

Along with this well-known phrase, Harris has attracted attention for other public remarks, some of which have gone viral.

For instance, her remark, “you think you just fell out of a coconut tree?” made during a speech on equality and advancement for Hispanic people, caused confusion and led to online mockery.

Harris aimed to emphasize the importance of considering the entire community when making decisions, but the unusual phrasing and ensuing laughter became the main focus.

That clip quickly spread on social media earlier this year and turned into a popular meme.

Harris’ supporters, known as the “K-Hive,” rallied around her. One member, as reported by the Daily Mail, embraced the viral moment, saying, “To anyone who thinks Kamala Harris shouldn’t be the candidate: you do know a new candidate can’t just fall out of a coconut tree, right?”

Earlier in the day, Harris faced criticism for her appearance at a teachers’ union event in Michigan. Social media users accused her of using a “fake accent” while speaking to union members at a Detroit high school. This sparked renewed debate over the long-standing claim that Harris adjusts her voice depending on her audience, a controversy that has emerged frequently throughout her political career.

During her remarks in Michigan, Harris received praise from some for her enthusiastic support of teachers. However, others criticized what they saw as an exaggerated effort to connect with the working-class audience by using an urban accent.

“New Kamala accent just dropped,” wrote one X user in response to the speech.

With less than two months until Election Day, Harris is under increased scrutiny as she campaigns nationwide. She is also gearing up for her first debate with President Donald Trump, set for September 10 in Philadelphia. Her appearances and speeches are receiving considerable attention as the country approaches this crucial election.

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