Am I the only one who associates this phrase with President Obama. I feel like I never heard anyone say it before him. But now they are....

Also, the proper pronunciation of Pakistan. Obama

I remember this one dude in particular on a panel kept saying "right?!" after each point he made and I was like "why is dude constantly asking me to silently co-sign what he's saying?"

Now I notice it among almost all not-old Academics and alot of SJW's when they're talking about any serious topic, like panels or interviews. It was always huge among all of the Melissa Harris-Perry's guests on her show, and her too.

Didn't really hear too often until the mid-aughts

----------------------------------------------------------------
respect the gift.

Conversation starts to meander off course, someone doesn't want the goalposts moved so they go "let me be clear, I ___________"

etc.

Just a way to reiterate or clean up a point

I don't know if he actually spoke that way or if I've just imagined that, though.