Tuesday, December 30, 2008

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Here's a quote from the infamous interview in response as to whether Bush's tax cuts on the wealthy should be repealed immediately: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in principle and in the campaign, you know, I think that, um, the tax cuts, you know, were expiring and needed to be repealed.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something, obviously, that in principle and in the campaign I think that the tax cuts were expiring and needed to be repealed.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!!!"

12 comments:

Ned said...

I am so with you! What's with the speech? (Even though you and I agree to disagree politically) Certainly a Kennedy could speak proper sentences. And I also have pulled the car over!

MsMVNJ said...

Oh man, I so agree with you....while JFK and RFK were the holy trinity in my house growing up (MLK was the third part), no one is ENTITLED to a seat anywhere - if you want the seat, make sense! You've had the most opportunities in your education, Y'know is not part of that vernacular!

BTW, I have stopped a conversation until the likes and the y'knows have stopped, too.

Preppy Pink Crocodile said...

I hear you on this one!! I am just beside myself on the topic of Caroline receiving Hillary's seat! Not to mention that one appointed person (in a should-be-elected office) will be appointing another (who also should normally be elected). It's just too easy and has that air of entitlement about it. Oh it's just all kinds of wrong!

gandr said...

Quite a useful analysis.

KK said...

I thought the same thing - she sounds just like Sarah Palin. If you want a seat in the Senate (or President, Vice President, whatever), at least know your stuff. You know!!! :)

KathleenKMM said...

I was reading an editorial that said if they had to give it to a Kennedy (which obviously they don't) it should have been Kerry or one of the other ones, and I'd have to agree. I read this great article in a magazine last year (I think Glamour, but I'm not sure) on all of Bobby Kennedy's kids and they all seem so accomplished and amazing despite what happened to their family.

I can't believe how much she sounds like Palin - at least with Palin you know she didn't go to the best schools or have tons of training on media appearances, but this is a freaking Kennedy who is also an attorney! My law school professors would downgrade us during arguments for any word salads.

KatieGirlBlue said...

Oh dear....A Palin in Kennedy clothing is even more dangerous than a Palin with bad mom hair and an absurdly overpriced (yet still trashy-looking) wardrobe....you know?

Belle said...

Cracked me up! Too funny.

I, too, have pulled the car over. My husband's bad habbit of "Where's it at?" had leaked into my 9yr old (at the time). Needless to say, we ALL say "Where is it?" from now on. :)
Now if I could only get away from my "so" addiction. I sound like the Penelope character from SNL. I'm working on it, I'm working on it...

~Belle

KSK said...

wow, had not listened to her speak yet. ugh. although, she DOES have her mother's cheek bones...

Midnight Madras said...

I could not agree with you more...rather than the crown princess of Camelot, she sounds like a disaffected Valley Girl. I don't have anything against her per se, but please...totally inappropriate for the seat. Love the "Jackie should have..."!!!! :)

Unknown said...

Cindy, it's one thing that a candidate for the senate speak well, and I suppose we all want our children to master that skill as well, but c'mon. It's part of the American dialect. Excessively, okay. But I'm sure even you say 'y'know and like'.

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