Cynthia M. Allen: Are gaffes contagious? Jill Biden’s ‘taco’ line reads like one of her husband’s hits

There’s a theory in psychology called empathic mimicry, which postulates that over the course of a relationship, a couple’s shared empathy may ultimately cause its members to start resembling one another.

I can’t say that this phenomenon of physical similarity is present in the White House, but based on the first lady’s speech in San Antonio on Monday, it at least appears that Dr. Jill Biden is imitating her husband’s propensity for cringe-worthy remarks.

Speaking before the UnidosUS 2022 Annual Conference “Latinx IncluXion” Luncheon, the first lady referred to “the diversity of [the Latino] community — as distinct as the bodegas of the Bronx, as beautiful as the blossoms of Miami, and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio.”