Caroline Kennedy: You know, no

That's right. No. There are so many things wrong Caroline Kennedy's quest for Hillary's Senate seat, but the you knows (130 of them in her interview with the New York Times) was the nail in the coffin for me. And the ums. Let's not forget those. 

How important is it for politicians to be articulate? To what extent does clarity of speech reflect clarity of mind? Do Kennedy's stylistic lapses represent anything more than a bad habit and nervousness in front of the camera?

Here's a quote from the infamous interview in response as to whether Bush's tax cuts on the wealthy should be repealed immediately:

Well, you know, that's something, obviously, that, you know, in principle and in the campaign, you know, I think that, um, the tax cuts, you know, were expiring and needed to be repealed.

Let's remove the you knows and ums and see if she makes any more sense. 

Well, that's something, obviously, that in principle and in the campaign I think that the tax cuts were expiring and needed to be repealed.

Shit sakes alive—she sounds like Sarah Palin! And all so unnecessarily given that what I hope she meant to say in answer to the question was "YES." Although what she thinks is far from clear. 

Not that Sophie will ever seek a Senate seat, but I will continue my campaign of terror to ensure that she not clutter her speech with such garbage. Once on the way to an extremely important event in Sophie's view (probably a birthday party) I pulled the car to the side of the road in an abrupt screech and refused to drive any further until Sophie discontinued excessive use of the work like. If only Jackie had just pulled over the car ordered the driver to pull over the car and shrieked "Enough with the goddamed you knows!!!"