Some Sour to Sweet Caroline

There's a growing queasiness about whether Caroline Kennedy is ready for the public eye. She is seeking appointment to the U.S. Senate but few express confidence that she has the leadership and political skills necessary for the position. When asked what her plans are, Caroline Kennedy says she will know when she gets the job.

While presumably ambitious, Ms. Kennedy's demeanor is one of apparent reluctance. When questioned, she's uncomfortable, behaving more like a schoolgirl cornered than a confident feminine leader. This was apparent during an interview with the New York Times.

During an interview with the paper she stumbled badly, fuelling comparisons to Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska, whose bid for the vice-presidency was blighted by a series of disastrous interviews with Katie Couric of CBS News.

Perhaps most damaging of all was her repeated use of the phrase "you know", which she uttered 142 times and was left in the transcript when it appeared in print.

Explaining why she would be a good Senator, she said: "So I think in many ways, you know, we want to have all kinds of different voices, you know, representing us, and I think what I bring to it is, you know, my experience as a mother, as a woman, as a lawyer, you know, I've been an education activist for the last six years here, and, you know, I've written seven books – two on the Constitution, two on American politics.

"So obviously, you know, we have different strengths and weaknesses."

Well, you know, Ms. Kennedy, it seems you lose support every time you speak. Then, add the fact that you've never held any elected office and consider voting to a sometimes thing, you know, and your suitability for appointment to the U.S. Senate has to be questioned. No offense intended, you know, it's simply a square peg, round hole type of situation.