The New York Post reports that New York mayor Michael Bloomberg defended Caroline Kennedy from criticism of her stumbling speech patterns.

(A great Post headline, by the way: Mayor Takes “Um”-Brage at Kennedy Critics.”)

“Caroline Kennedy isn’t just your average person, so people may be a little more critical,” said Bloomberg, who has repeatedly praised Kennedy since she threw her name into the hat to replace Hillary Rodham, Clinton in the Senate.

Two problems with this argument.

One, you can’t say that Kennedy isn’t “your average person,” and then not expect her to be held to higher standards than, say, your average person. That’s the whole point of not being average.

And two, it doesn’t much help Kennedy to suggest that she’s a celebrity, or a member of an elite, or whatever.

Finally—okay, three problems—Bloomberg’s defense of Kennedy only reinforces the [accurate] perception that he is backing her. But as a commenter below noted, there is so much hostility towards Bloomberg in New York right now that having him in your corner is like being endorsed by OJ Simpson.

The Post also throws in this wicked little gem:

During a 40-minute interview with The Post on Saturday, [Kennedy] uttered “you know” more than 200 times.

This is a tough town sometimes. But when you think about it, it’s a fair point. These verbal hesitations manifest a larger character question. Does Caroline Kennedy, you know, really want the job?