Did Obama plagiarize? Clinton team says yes

These are salient examples used to counter a stupid argument. The repetition of the same examples is no evidence of plagiarism, given how obvious they are to everyone but Mrs. Clinton. Hillary, start paying attention to the needs of the people, you're distracted.

A "similar formulation" is an apt description. They are both quoting some of the most famous quotes in American history. It's hardly necessary to credit their origin since (hopefully) every American knows them. The argument itself bears repeating.

Grasping. At. Straws.

The Obama campaign has issued a statement from Gov. Patrick: “Sen. Obama and I are long-time friends and allies. We often share ideas about politics, policy and language. The argument in question, on the value of words in the public square, is one about which he and I have spoken frequently before. Given the recent attacks from Sen. Clinton, I applaud him responding in just the way he did.”

When are the American people going to wake up to his B.S.? Just a lot of wind and no substance. Biden had to quit the '88 race because of stealing a campaign speech from a British politician. Heaven help us if Obama ever get's in the White house. Wake up before it's too late.

Okay, this is getting weird. Is it plagiarism whenever someone quotes "I have a dream" or "We hold these truths to be self evident"?

If he was found to have lifted a paragraph verbatim from a 1985 Thatcher speech on another topic it might raise some eyebrows. If he listened to Gov Patrick's speech and later incorporated the same argument into his own speech, I just have trouble collapsing in a tizzy over it. In fact, without hearing either speech, if I were going to respond to charges about the importance of words in politics, I think those are common examples I would draw on, used because everyone recognizes them, not because of sneaky plagiarism.

If the Clinton campaign is down to this as the deep dark negative stuff they swear the Republicans will unleash in the fall, there isn't much to stick on the man.

Rubbish. Biden's problem was telling a biographical story and not always remembering to mention it wasn't HIS biography. (Which I'm sure can happen when you give the same stump speech over and over and over again.) BUT, this is about a concept. As I've said before...

It's all part of one movement, so calling any of it plagiarism is a bit disingenuous imo. Of course they riff off each other - that's how progress has always been made. One person has an idea, another improves it, or clarifies it, or expands it. Sometimes it's just restating it in a different way so some other group 'gets it'.

For example, Martin Luther King said:
"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."

Obama quoted that, and then added:
"Here's the thing, young people, it doesn't bend on its own, it bends because you put your hand on that arc and you bend it in the direction of justice."

You see? MLK was saying "don't lose faith". That's important, but you can't stop there. Obama reminded people that doesn't mean wait for someone else to do the work - democracy is not a spectator sport.

Now that's being restated in the "we are the people we've been waiting for" meme. Some people are more interested in tracking it to Maria Shriver or Tom Hayden or the Hopi Indians - as if that's the point. It's actually a much, much older and a much, much more universal message. The point isn't its history, but its truth.

Same thing with the "it's just words" thing. That's a lot older than either Patrick or Obama, so why claim plagiarism when they're pointing out the obvious?

People who 'get it', and there are more every day, aren't just supporting Obama, but getting involved in politics in all sorts of ways. They're also insisting on an end to lies, spin and innuendo in both politics and government. That's the movement, and that's what Team Clinton doesn't understand. They can't see the forest for the trees, I guess.

Gov. Patrick's Stetement on the "issue":

“Sen. Obama and I are long-time friends and allies. We often share ideas about politics, policy and language. The argument in question, on the value of words in the public square, is one about which he and I have spoken frequently before. Given the recent attacks from Sen. Clinton, I applaud him responding in just the way he did.”

Why doesn't the media talk about all of the things that Hillary steals from others for her arguements and speeches. I think she's using "Yes We Will" right now on her website and don't forget that she has gone around using the change slogan even at one point calling herself the candidate of change! What a joke this article is!

It's not plagiarism if the original author gives you permission to use the language.

Perhaps the Clinton campaign could spend its time more wisely, like figuring out the delegate allocation rules in their firewall states, or putting forth a positive, substantive message.

I'm glad this has been highlighted. All of the Obamaniacs need to realize that they are being hypocrites. If Hillary did this kind of thing, it would be heresy. But when Obama abuses his most important asset, his rhetorical ability, everybody attacks Hillary for somehow pointing out an obvious error.

It all depends on the origin of the definition of the word IS is..

It's desperation time for the Clinton campaign. After a year of trying to dig up dirt on Obama this is the best they have??

Pathetic.

Just drop out now Hillary and save yourself from further humiliation.

DCuz
www.RightCuz.com

The desperation of the Clinton campaign is palpable. What an ugly way to lose.

First all words, no actions now he even stole the words. Hmmm!

Wow. The Hillary campaign must be incredibly desperate to be stooping to this level.

The Hillary opposition research machine is humming, but it's not coming up with a whole lot right now. This is a non-story, especially since Deval Patrick has given his blessing to Obama's use of his own words - and has all but said he suggested that Obama use the same language.

Hillary & Co. are obviously hoping Obama has a Biden-style meltdown. The problem is that Obama is no Biden; Joe wasn't exactly the most articulate guy in the 1988 race, whereas you have to agree Obama has a silver tongue, regardless of whether or not you like him.

This isn't the first time something like this has happened:

http://www.jabberwonk.com/flinker.cfm?cliid=1ed2u5

Patrick and Obama are close allies, they have been for awhile.

At the same time, Patrick's and Obama's campaigns have been sensitive about mirroring each other too closely.

Obama, in his Senate race, used the well-worn phrase "Yes, we can!" as a rallying cry.

After Patrick employed the same phrase at a state Democratic Convention in 2005, a reporter alerted the campaign that it was Obama's signature line, and they went back to the drawing board, said Dan Payne, a Democratic strategist working for Patrick at the time. (Patrick would adopt "together we can" instead.)

It's called "sour grapes"

So now we can't say, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman".

Just another lame ploy by a faltering Clinton campaign. McGovern's argument is empty. I guess he should have explicitly cited MLK, too.

Gee! I always thought plagiarizm had something to do with the "written word". I think someone should view the definition before throwing out barbs. But,,then this is politics at its best. And as "Annie" so eloquently put it "Grasping. At. Straws." (I give credit to Annie because she wrote it first)

If Obama is a man of hope and ideas, why did he lift the CADENCE of the use of thos quotes? Same quotes, same rhetorical statement afterwards: "Just words?"

All he would've had to do is acknowledge Patrick. Oh- and simply shuffling the order does not preclude plagiarism.

The proof of whether he was lifting or not will come in if he uses Patrick's sequence again. Which I'm guessing he won't.

The Clintons are getting so desperate it's funny. I guess she is a plagiarizer for using Obama's words and McCain is a plagiarizer for using "Fired up". And she wonders why so many are jumping off her ship onto Obamas.

The Clinton Campaign is desperate, sorry and clutching at straws. Governor Patrick and Senator Obama are friends and have been open about Governor Patrick's support for him.

This is not plagiarism. Quoting someone else quoting other people is totally fine. The formulation itself is basically a list. Plus, if the author gives permission, it's not plagiarism.

has it come to this Hillary? You are above this B.S. aren't you. The Clintons have had to use thier mud and B.S. polictics and it has exsposed the for what they are !!

I understand her frustration - she was the front runner and now she is diggin the trash grashing for straws.

Please let hurry up and get these 2 clowns off the scene - it is disheartening to watch them 2 now.!!

If this is the best the Clintons can do then we know Obama will be safe from Republican attack (fully vetted as Hillary likes to say). No one is as schooled in opposition research as the Clintons.I'd call her desperate, but someone probably has and I'd hate to be accused of quoting without attribution.

This argument reaks of desperation on the part of the Clinton campaign.

The Clinton Campaign is desperate, sorry and clutching at straws. Governor Patrick and Senator Obama are friends and have been open about Governor Patrick's support for him.

Another plagiarism by Obama:

The Hopi Elders Speak:

"We Are the Ones
We've Been Waiting For"!!!

Obama-maniacs, you just dont get it. You blindly follow an empty suit candidate who promises you hope and change through inspirational speeches. Now we find out that they are not inspirational but cheap copies (like many of his policices too). No substance and no inspiration at all - but you still follow blindly... ever heared of SS and Nazis? Same pattern here.

Has Hillary said anything positive yet? Can anyone name one thing she has ever accomplished? Why is she even in this race? Oh yeah, to get Bill back his power. Sorry, that's not a good enough reason to get my vote.

Does Rep. Jim McGovern have anything better with his time? If not, we can surely suggest things for him to do.

Is this the best they can do against Obama? They must be really desperate. "I have a dream" that someday I will become a millionaire. And I "hold these truths to be self-evident" that being a millionaire means having a lot of money.

I have a feeling that those here defending Obama's lifting of a speech by someone else in 2006 would be crucifying the Republican who'd done the same...the double standard is astonishing and breathtaking

Hilary is unbelievable...she doesn't even use good quotes in her speeches. Instead of attacking Obama, she should take notes.

The problem is that he's a phony. Obama has risen as the next greatest thing since sliced bread but his words are not even his own. What else? You need to scratch beneath the surface people. There's more there than just words.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200706140007

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/184540,122306obama.article

http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/politics/blog/2008/02/did_obama_plagiarize_clinton_t.html

http://thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Winter08/2008Election.html

http://perezhilton.com/2008-02-18-obama-plagiarizes-speech

Yes We Can! Yes We Will !
Vote Democrat!

Some one is desperate. And it'not Obama!

Yawn.

It is plagiarism if the party supposedly plagiarized from says he doesn't care and has even talked to Obama about it beforehand? No. It's just smart use of a nearly identical phrase. Let's face it, very little in politics is truly original. I have a hard time believing that Obama's "Yes we can" has never been uttered before, and the same for Hillary's "Bill has a dream." Oops, wrong quote.

"Yes, we can" was Gov Patrick's campaign slogan as well.

STUPID FOLKS....

Patrickl Deval is part of OBAMA's election committee---THEY ARE FRIENDS!

STOP TRYING TO START &%$*!

Clintons; just go home and enjoye all your lobbis money

The argument is NOT about the words quoted about the famous speeches of figures like Martin Luther King. The argument is over Obama quoting these speeches and then using the phrase "just words" just as Patrick had done. It is not so much the content of what he is saying, rather the importance lies in that Obama is using the exact same defense against Clinton as Patrick did in his campaign. I understand that there is no originality in politics, but come on...I'm still waiting for Obama to let me know even ONE thing that he can do for me as president! I've heard from all the other candidates, so when is Obama going to step it up? It's time for him to make some promises, not just political rhetoric.

Is this supposed to make us vote for Clinton? If anything, it is just another example of Clinton's 35 years of experience in trying to smear and destroy good people.

Is wasn't long ago that Clinton also tired to discredit Obama, who in Kindergarten wrote that he wanted to be President.

Hillary ---

how do you blow through $130 million dollars???

Focusing - on stupid stuff like this --- rather than your check.

Howard Wolfson needs to go. He is doing Hillary no favors. This is incredible nit-picking. Their campaign is sinking fast and this is the best they can do against Obama? Give me a break! So much for the vaunted Clinton machine. It's a jalopy.

It's not about plagiarism. It's just that Obama says that he is different and better and wants to inspire. Yet he borrows speeches from others. Even with DP's permission, it's just not very inspiring to see this guy parrot another's speech and present as his own when the basis for his whole campaign is some kind of implied moral superiority to his opponents and to other politicians in general. It is just one more example of Obama's actions not matching his lofty rhetoric.

Can't wait to see the last of those slack-jawed Arkansas hicks out of Washington.

I wonder if Hillary credited Abe she said just this week something her being or the president being, by the people and for the people.

Abraham Lincoln best described democracy as "government of the people, by the people, and for the people."

The Truth of this question, is that Words do Matter and Words are not Cheap, as Clinton tries to insinuate. Without words there would be no great books or poetry and she herself said she was inspired by the words of Martin Luther King and now she is trying to cleverly put a halt to Obama's speech making ability to inspire a Generation of People. She herself is doing everything she can in her speeches to try to emulate Barack's words and incorporate them in her speeches. Yes we Will, she says. We can do this. If you hear her speeches today, they are cleverly changed with Barack's words, so words obviously do matter. And that chant of hers, Yes we Will is a pitiful immitation of Yes we Can and it sounds just that. If they want to win, they are barking up the wrong tree. America has moved on, America is growing up, something the Clintons have not caught on too. And because Duval and Barack are such good freinds it could be that Barack gave Duval the lines two years ago for his speech. What does it matter, the truth is Words Do Matter!

and we can no longer say

"yes we will" - Hillary's minions will put you "video on YouTube".

The problem is the "They are just words" part. Certainly anyone can quote our founding fathers and other historical personages without any big deal, but the construction of this was a direct lift of what Governor Patrick said. Mr. Obama is talk without substance.

Well thanks for alerting me to this.
Whew, and I almost voted for him. Good thing I am not basing my vote on something important like the fact the Mrs. Clinton voted to send our kids off to fight in a illegal/unjust/immoral war based on lies.

"Hear that Mr. Anderson [Hillary]? It is the sound of inevitability."

While Agent Smith was wrong with respect to Neo, it is apt here: Ms. Clinton's campaign is foundering, and is grasping at whatever pitiful life rings it can. Unfortunately the attempt is so transparently empty, it makes her campaign look even worse.

This is why the Republicans are so deathly afraid of an Obama candidacy: there is a dearth of mud to sling in any Roverian attempts to Swiftboat him in the general election.

If I say to my girlfreind as she leaves, "Parting is such sweet sorrow", and I don't tell her it is from Shakespeare, is that supposed to be plagiarism?

Get real, Hillary!!

Wow, Busted! Imagine if this came out during the Presidential election in October? He would be fried by the Republicans. Obama is not ready for prime time yet...Rookie mistake to try to be someone else, since he doesn't really know yet what he wants to be when he grows up. Even if he got permission form Gov. Patrick, it still would just be words..just not HIS WORDS. I would even say it was worse that Gov. Patrick and Obama colluded to make it seem that the “articulate” Obama came up with these words himself. Obama is an empty suit…propped up by his puppet masters and sent out to lip-synch speeches. Didn’t we have enough of puppet presidents?

So.... why isn't Hillary being held accountable for plagarizing Gov Patrick's opponent..."All words no action" ????

Jimmy, my boy, you are causing acute acid reflux coupled with bile and phlegm from laughing. Please do something, anything, that has a wee bit of value for your constituents. Remember them?

So, it's a big deal because Obama used Patrick's words "just words" and the rest are already famous words? The truth is they both quoted famous speakers -and neither really added anything, except to say: words do matter. Plus if Patrick is on Obama's side, I agree with the people who say this is just desperate Clinton politics.

Ask Clinton why her economic plan looks lifted from 2006's Audacity of Hope? Or better yet, tell her to stop stealing lines from Obama's speeches today! Mrs."if I give you a plan, I have a way to pay for it" -Obama has been saying that longer. Or her trying to come up with slogan #15, yelling "yes we will" Give me a break. Sore losers.

I'm still waiting for Obama to let me know even ONE thing that he can do for me as president!
Posted by: Bob | February 18, 2008 11:54 AM

What does he have to do? Visit your house with flowers, wine, and a check for $1M dollars? OK, maybe just the check? Maybe it's not all about you. "Ask not what your country can do for you......"

GimmeHopeObama,
Are you one of the low-lifers
that constitute Hillary's base, or a republican shaking in his boots at the prospect of facing Obama?
I have a dream you'll lose because we have nothing to fear but fear itself.
Let me know if I'm plagiarizing.

Obama still lacks substance. He is a good speaker, but in the end his words are "just words." He has no grasp on what he criticizes. ...and NO, I AM NOT A BILLARY SUPPORTER.

i thought the rule for plagiarism was four words in succession...?
neither one is qualified, in my opinion and all four scare me. obama would be a fabulous motivational speaker... and clinton would be equally wonderful at empowering young women... but that does not mean that they could pull all of our loose ends together. we need someone with a firmer grasp on reality and action... and the concept that our country is not the only one occupied by millions.

Amazing that the Obama Nazis can't even admit that "Dear Leader" is wrong here.

A simple "I was tired and neglected to mention my close friend Deval Patricks name" would suffice.

But, no you black racists and white weaklings have to dig in your heals.

Anyone but the evil muslim in november. No Obama!

A speech given shortly before he died by President John F. Kennedy is perhaps the best refutation of the Clinton approach to politics, and captures the Obama magic ...

"When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses."

America is tired of the arrogance, corruption and lack of that elusive thing called grace that characterized Bill Clinton's "co-presidency" with Hillary.

Or, to put it another way, as the ancient Romans said: "When Cicero had finished speaking, the people said, 'How well he spoke,' but when Demosthenes had finished speaking, the people said, 'Let us march.'"

America is on the move again.

HilLIARy people are TOTAL hypocrites

this is not plagiarism for many reasons - just for starters Obama added the churchhill quote that the other gentleman did not

IT WAS A SO OBVIOUSLY SPEECH ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WORDS - AND IT WAS A NECESSARY SPEECH BECAUSE HILLIARY HAS BEEN ACTIVELY TRYING TO SAY THAT BEING INSPIRATIONAL WITH WORDS IS NOT A NECESSARY TRAIT IN A WORLD LEADER - IT WAS A SPEECH ABOUT MEANINGFUL WORDS FROM OUR OWN HISTORY THAT WERE MORE THAN JUST WORDS - AND THUS REFUTES HILLIARY'S ARGUMENT - HOW COULD HE NOT USE SIMILAR LANGUAGE - OBAMA HAD TO USE A SIMILAR SPEECH TO MAKE HIS POINT AND HE WAS ONLY ANSWERING HILLIARY'S PERSONAL ATTACK ON HIM

BUT IF THE QUOTES OF WORLD LEADERS ARE OUT OF BOUNDS THEN MAYBE ..........

maybe Bill Clinton should sue everyone who uses the phrase "IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE DEFINITION OF IS IS"

OR

"I SMOKED IT BUT I DIDN'T INHALE"

OR

"I DID NOT HAVE SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH THAT WOMAN"

OR

"OF COURSE OBAMA WON SOUTH CAROLINA SO DID JESSE JACKSON"

OR HILLIARY SHOULD SUE ANYONE WHO SAYS,

"VAST RIGHT WING CONSPIRACY"

BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE MOST MEMORABLE "WORDS" FROM THE MOUTHS OF THE CLINTONS

THERE IS AN OLD SAYING AMONG WRITERS/COLLEGE PROFESSORS

THE PROFESSOR'S VERSION IS

"IF YOU BORROW FROM ONE SOURCE, IT'S PLAGIARISM, IF YOU BORROW FROM MANY, IT'S GOOD RESEARCH"

THE WRITER'S VERSION IS,

"IF YOU BORROW FROM ONE SOURCE, IT'S PLAGIARISM, IF YOU BORROW FROM MANY SOURCES, IT'S BRILLIANT'

OBAMA = BRILLIANT

How can anyone honestly find any fault with Obama for this and not find much greater fault with HilLIARy for planting a question in the audience - you can't

This type of dirty politics is not why I dis-like the Clinton campaign, I 'hate' them. This morning I have read that Obama is sexist. Now he is a 'word stealer'.
All of this right before the primaries tomorrow. The Clintons trully have no shame what-so-ever. I plan to vote for Obama even though I have always voted Republican but if Clinton cheats her way in which she is really trying to do I will vote and donate and work for the McCain camp. Why in the world can't Clinton people see that people 'hate' thsi kind of politics and frankly that has caused many people to hate the Clintons. Can you tell I'm pissed? Well Hillary Clinton is a peice of garbage.

If you use the Clinton Campaign’s argument that it’s plagiarism, then you would also have to say that “Yes we can” from Obama’s stump speech is stolen from Deval. Deval used that same phrase, “Yes we can” extensively in his speeches. Of course it’s not Plagiarism, Deval is part of Obama’s campaign. They are sharing ideas not stealing from each other

Wow, as a person who has a M.B.A from a very notable university, if I had written a paper or gave a speech and not attributed the person who I got the words from, it would NOT be an excuse to tell my professor that I got their permission.

That is a straw man and I would have received an 'F'. It is so funny to see the Obamamots lowering the bar and changing the rules. The receptors to Obama's speech should have been made aware that those words were not Obamas especially has 'rhetoric' is his trade mark.

What I find scary is the Obama canidacy seems to be a 'brand' and Axlerod seems to be the marketing manager. Same manager for Gov. Deval Patrick, same speeches, same emphasis on hope, change etc.
Scary...and how did that go in MA, Clinton won by 15pts because by and large the voters of MA have found Patrick to be an unremarkable governor.

THIS IS GOD.

Stop quoting my Commandments without attribution!

POST OF THE DAY

(worth repeating)

Well thanks for alerting me to this.
Whew, and I almost voted for him. Good thing I am not basing my vote on something important like the fact the Mrs. Clinton voted to send our kids off to fight in a illegal/unjust/immoral war based on lies.

Posted by: Will

This ain't plagiarism just more Clinton stupidism.

For months and months, HRC has been appropriating words, slogans, themes and ideas from the Obama campaign. It is now ludicrous that the campaign is attempting to tarnish Obama because, with Deval Patrick's encouragement, he used some rhetorical ripostes from Patrick's treasure trove.
Also, if Obama repeats "Four score and seven...", is he plagiarizing? If he recites "we have nothing to fear..." (without crediting Roosevelt) is he plagiarizing?
This latest HRC charge is so seventh grade!

I guess Howard Wolfson has run out of ammunition and must resort to grabbing chunks of pavement to hurl at Obama's Mo-train.

It'll be over soon. If they're doing stuff like this, they're out of both ideas and money, folks.

But, no you black racists and white weaklings have to dig in your heals.

Anyone but the evil muslim in november. No Obama!

Posted by: Mark Stephens | February 18, 2008 12:48 PM

Since Republicans like to ask Muslims to disavow violence, will any Republicans step forward to disavow this digusting statement or will you all remain silent in tacit agreement?

Media Garbage. Stiring the pot to find something that will "sell papers".

If the media would serve us well they would be inspecting how Senator Obama's platform measures up in getting this country out of the awful mess it is in. As a voter, that is what I am looking for, not this
DIRT.

It's not about plagiarism. It's just that Obama says that he is different and better and wants to inspire. Yet he borrows speeches from others. Even with DP's permission, it's just not very inspiring to see this guy parrot another's speech and present as his own when the basis for his whole campaign is some kind of implied moral superiority to his opponents and to other politicians in general. It is just one more example of Obama's actions not matching his lofty rhetoric.

Wow.

This is coming from the lady who says "Fired Up! Ready to Go!" and "Yes We Can!" - two of OBAMA'S campaign slogans- at her boring, straight-laced "rallies"?

Wow.
I've lost total respect for her.

UNBELIEVABLE!!!

The Clintons are just like Republicans, they will say or do anything just to "win".

McCain, Clinton, Obama is this the best we can do?

I always think that Obama is lifting his speeches from MLK. Talk about injecting race into politics - how many times is this guy going to summon the spirit of MLK?

Among the many words of wisdom from my grandmother: "Quote others if you ever expect to be quoted." She never told who said such things first. How could it matter?! When individual brilliance becomes folk lore, all the world is learning ... smiling again.

Let the "politics of personal destruction" begin. This is the standard Clinton MO, and they are only getting warmed up!

Whatever it takes to win. They are starting to get desperate.

It seems to me that the Clintons plagiarized Governor Patrick's critic using the same criticism against Obama!

A similar response to a similar attack would be appropriate!

Obama is an empty suit, a Chicasgo Machine politician who has never really done anything. He skipped every controversial vote as a state senator, won election to the US Senate after divorce case scandals knocked opponents out of the race, and now steals the words of others for his rhetoric. I'm sure his copyright law class at Harvard must have taught him something about that, no?

The only two memorable phrases from the Clinton presidency ...

It all depends what the definition of "is" is. (A Bill original.)

The era of Big Government is over. (No attribution given to Ronald Reagan.)

For those who are supporting Obama because of his inspriring words, are you still inspired or do you feel a little duped?

I'm sure Oprah agrees that it was ok for Obama not to credit the source. She thought it was okay for James Frey to make things up in a Non-fiction book. Credit belongs where credit is due.

I'm sure Oprah agrees that it was ok for Obama not to credit the source. She thought it was okay for James Frey to make things up in a Non-fiction book. Credit belongs where credit is due.

I was disappointed to learn that MLK had given the "I have a dream" speech prior to the Wash DC march. He had another speech prepared but delivered that one because it seemed to match the mood of the audience that day. His "I've been to mountain top" was not a new speech but given whenever he sensed danger. So much for my thoughts that he foresaw his death the next day.

There's no doubt that Obama has used phrases previously. I'll bet he used "Yes we can" when he inspired the registration od 150,00 new voters in Chicago that helped Bill Clinton win his 1st presidential election. To be sure Michelle Obama has heard most of his phrases previously but it didn't keep her from deciding that he was authentic in his desire to serve the people. His words inspired her to leave a better paying corporate job and work in jobs that helped poor people train for better jobs.

What is wonderful is that he is smart & charismatic and is willing to put his skills and energy into improving the America we live in.

The other day my wife caught me with another girl and l had to defend myself to her, so l said " l did not have sexual relation with that woman"

Now l quess the Clinton camp will accuse me of PLAGIARISM

You Obmabots are really sacry. You can not even admit when your "chosen one" has done something wrong. You remind me of people that support Bush. They blind themselves to anything that he does. Obama stole this speech plain and simple. Whether he got permission or not, he didnt credit Patrick. He gave the speech as if it were his own. He pawned the speech off on peopel who thought it was his own. THAT IS PLAGARISM. The audience had no idea those were Patricks words and not Obamas. That is the issue, not if Obama and PAtrick had some secret deal that neother one told anyone about until AFTER Obama was caught using someone elses speech.

If Hillary "borrowed" some other politician's lines, the media would be calling for a congressional investigation and her head, of course.

I am a Republican and I am scared. Obama is so refreshing and seemingly has no negatives...McCaim will not be able to beat him. Although I will say, I would MUCH, MUCH rather have Obama as our next President than Hillary Clinton.

Plagiarize! My God. The Clinton's must really feel backed into a corner for them to be crying foul over this nonsense. Was this another one of MArk Penn's brilliant ideas? Give me a break. I guess that means that their fresh new, hip Clinton "solutions" strategy isn't working out too well for them. BOO FREAKING HOO! What's more- great speeches are there to be ripped off.......they are a matter of public record and can hardly be plagiarized.

As Hemingway was fond of saying "Good writers borrow, great writers steal".

GO OBAMA! Yes you can! DuVal Patrick said so!

PLEASE HELP!!!
Who do I need to quote for words I have used here?

I'm sure someone have used these words before I have used them here.

I don't want to get sued by the Clintons. Should I invent my own language if I want to say anything?

PLEASE HELP!!!

CLINTON IS A DEAD FISH out of water she represents the PISCEAN age which is dying out BARACK OBAMA represents the AQUARIAN AGE which is fast approaching the old way of thinking is dead the people have spoken the AQUARIAN children and BARACK OBAMA IS AN AQUARIAN PRESIDENT he has the AQUARIAN ENERGY ALL AROUND HIM IT SPEAKS THROUGH HIM AND RESONATES WITH THE AQUARIAN MASSES OF OUR PEOPLE WHO WANT CHANGE

Slow news day at The Swamp?

I am an undecided at this time. But for what it is worth I find this issue taken up by the Clinton camp embarrasing! Is Hillary this desparate to take this as a campaign issue? This will backfire because it shows that she is now weakened.

There was no plagiarism here because the words Obama used were from famous people who've been quoted time and time again, quotes we all use from MLK, JFK, FDR. What did he plagiarize, Deval's use of "words?" Hillary Clinton should be the last one to scream plagiarism because she has constantly stolen Obama's words and his ideas, going back to Obama's first "Have Dinner with Barack"; she then came with (send in a donation and have) "Lunch with Hillary" then Edwards came with "(send in a donation and) Build a house with John Edwards, and then Bill Clinton came with (send in a donation and) "Have popcorn from a bowl with Bill Clinton and watch Hillary debate". Did these people get Obama's clearance first? Has Hillary gotten clearance before she and her campaign held banners after Obama's and screamed "Yes we Can!"? Did they get clearance before using "Change"? Did she get clearance before she used "Fired Up and Ready to go"? And more. Now she is even taking his cadence, and his words of hope, dream, and opportunity, trying to make them her own. Where are the headlines on these thefts? Obama and Deval have said long ago they trade barbs, ideas, words. People try to slam Obama because of who he is, to squash him. He is an inspirational person, he is a brilliant person, he is exciting many people into this political process that have never been or never wanted politics before, and people are jealous of that, jealous of him. He is what who he is and no one can do anything about that as much as they attack him. I believe they really want to follow him too. Every single one of the politicans running for president this election have taken Obama's ideas, especially Hillary Clinton. John Mc
Cain shouted at the end of his rally the other day 'fired up and ready to go'. Mitt Romney's entire campaign was turned around from the Obama idea of 'change', all Mitts banners and mantra had become 'change' written on them. So media, press, where are the headlines when all these people have stolen from Obama? You need to back off Obama with this bull unless you go and attack Clinton and McCain for their plagiarisms of Obama.
And by the way, stop trying to turn the excitement from America and around the world for Obama into what you call 'cult'. Stop trying to reduce it to that, make it ugly, as you're trying to pidgeon hole him. If people are flocking to Obama the way THEY ARE NOT flocking to Hillary or McCain, too bad. He is his own individual. They can try to politicize, reduce, deduce, CULTicize, label, attack his inspirational message all they want, but in the end it is only them who looks stupid, who looks jealous, who looks incompetent. They too need to recognize this unique person has come along for the better of America in a way that only he can do, and maybe, just maybe, both Hillary and McCain need to seriously think about too -- stepping aside. Obama '08!!

As Hilary does everything in her power to turn what was once a positive campaign into typical mudslinging, she will not only damage her chances of getting the nomination, but will most likely increase the chance that McCane (spelled that way purposely) will win in November.

She used New York and now she is going to destroy the Democratic party. Huzzah!

Obama is busted!

I think old Clinton is trying to tell you dems that Obama`s words are BS to!Ill say one thing at least Billary has plans and not just ideas or phrases!I cant wait to see them up against the repubs in the debates!

We, in Massachusetts, elected Governor Deval "Yes We Can" Patrick a year ago. He immediately got rid of Governor Romney's old Mercury and got himself a brand new Cadillac. He spent thousands on drapes for his office. He hired an 'appointments secretary' for his wife. Ever since then, he's been Governor Deval "What do I do now?" Patrick. Patrick's campaign was also one of style over substance. We barely ever hear a thing about him. His speeches were fluff and he's governing as a non-substantial figurehead. Beware of pol's who use high-flying words of inspiration that aren't grounded in solid ideas. And yes - the same goes for Hillary.
Jim Anderson

Obama can't even come with his own lines to feed his cult?

..tOo fUnNy..

"Yes We can! Yes We will! Vote for Change! Vote for Hope! Vote Democrat 2008!"

These are words taken from the governor of Massachusetts whom the bureaucracy knew was having a nervous breakdown after he realized what being governor meant. The bureaucracy had a pool to determine how long he would stay in office after his eyes were wide open to the spotlight of his position. The leitenant governor is his same height 5' 1" but very well connected.

i am a resident of mass. and witnessed the 'inspirational' speech of derval patrick-i think most people who fell for this are now wondering why-be careful of dreamy eyed rhetoric. even michele obama is jumping on the bandwagon with the government needs to fix 'our souls' come on, lets move back with hillary who we at least know what to expect based on history.

The beginning of the end for Clinton. It's amazing to me that this is the type of fight they want to wage. Honestly, I like Hillary and Obama...but this petty, meaningless argument makes her look silly and desperate.

Lisa Naujoks,
Did you just cite Perez Hilton.....seriously???

You are no longer allowed to participate in adult conversation anymore!!!

Ok,im tired of this illegal war BS these left loons talk about!Always one on every post.You want talk about sending our children(which you do not have serving more than likley)to war.That phrase worked about 4 years ago when those in the armed forces didnt know war was coming and was already inlisted!This is a vol-army,they want to go!!!!!!If you want to talk about illegal and forcing our kids,how about your hero JFK ,he did start Vietam and did invoke the DRAFT!LBJ FOLLOWED IN HIS FOOT STEPS!Go and study some history so next time you people want to talk about war you will know better!P.s most wars where started by Dems!Change,change,change,LOOK IM GOING TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT TOO!!!!!!!!!!

Look, it's very simple.

All Obama had to do was say: "As my good friend, Deval Patrick, once said...yada yada yada..."

It is simply bad form of Obama to borrow a very specific piece of a very specific rhetorical argument--without acknowledging that neither Obama nor his speech writers actually came up with that argument.

Obama made a boo-boo.

And he could have fixed things immediately after this broke by apologizing and saying: "Yes, indeed, this argument is from a speech my good friend Deval Patrick made..."

Instead, his reaction has been unintentionally illustrative. It shows that at the end of the day, Obama is just another politician who engages in spin in order to save face when something reflects badly upon him.

What is the deal with his whole "Deval and I share a brain" argument? (that in essence is his response to these charges).

Come on now, OHB, I thought you were a lil' smarter than that.

If you actually put up the GOP versus the Democratic races you will see actual substance and debate on issues with the GOP versus emptiness with talk of "hope" "change" etc. on the Dem side. If you actually look at Obama's blueprint, you will see complete idiocy like government matching IRAs. Seriously, is the voting public this stupid? We'll find out in about a year.

Obama is a black Jimmy Carter. Nice guy, good teeth, good speaker, and empty suit. The historical quotes cited were delivered by men who were doers not empty talkers like he is.

Change, change, change. What does that mean? Dropping catchy phrases just like Bush did in his previous campaigns? Spouting similar positions, ideas, or words from other politicians? There in lies the problem. Obama is not an original thinker or doer. Who will hold this young man's hand and change his diaper throughout his potential presidency? The same old guard running around DC. You know the guys -- the ones he puts down in speeches to trick you into voting for him.

Many wonder how Nazi Germany ever occurred. We're seeing it right with our eyes today. Heil Obama! Goose step. Goose step. Goose step. Get in cultist.

Like a fighter losing in the 12th round, she throws wild punches, hoping something will land.

Enough about the speeches. If Hillary (or anyone else) had such oratory skills, she'd be "finding her voice" all over the place. Obama is so good in that area that Hillary has no choice but to convince the public that good speeches are a sign of shallowness. Good luck with that.

Also, Hillary's latest claim that Obama avoids specifics in favor of rhetoric is itself a vague and generalized slur. What has he been unspecific about? What do we need to hear more of? Energy policy, economics, foreign affairs, health care? If she named an area, people could say, "I remember him talking about that, what does she mean?" With this line of attack she also unwittingly insults more than half of democratic voters so far as gullible dupes who have fallen for his act. The experience issue is a fine one for her to highlight, but this "all hat no cattle" ruse is silly.

The experience I'm worried about is my own, that is, not having to reexperience the Clintons' antics for the next four years.

Probably no need to post this, but in my comment above there is a typo at the very end.

OHB should have read BHO (his initials).

Simple typo.

I apologize.

But, no you black racists and white weaklings have to dig in your heals.

Anyone but the evil muslim in november. No Obama!

Posted by: Mark Stephens | February 18, 2008 12:48 PM

Since Republicans like to ask Muslims to disavow violence, will any Republicans step forward to disavow this digusting statement or will you all remain silent in tacit agreement?

Well, I normally don't respond to posts submitted by ignorant, uneducated fools, I will in order to dismiss the myth that Conservatives or Republicans will stand by silently when idiotic racist terms are thrown out there.

As a Conservative, I condemn the above statement.

Does that make you feel better, paul???????

Doubtful...you will probably dismiss me and say that I am not a "true" Conservative.

Imagine when you were in college and you turned in a paper or did a presentation using someone else's actaul speech almost word for word. Then when called out onit you told the teacher that it was ok because the original work was doen by a friend of yours and he will not mind. You be laughed at and given an F. Whether you like Obama or not this is plagarism. No one in the crowd or listeneing to the speech knew that it was Deval 's speech and not Obamas. That is the very definition of plagarism. We should never lose our ability to think or to be objective because the person we support commits a fraudelent error.

Are Hillary backers just racist? Why are they so opposed to Obama? They both represent the left, why all the hatred? Hillary is really beginning to look like a real loser. Her attacks are on the level of first graders arguing about whose mom has the best mustach. I don't get it. Is it just that they can't back a black man?

LOL -- Obama can't even plagerize effectively.

Now why would I want to vote for him when he (or his speechwriters) obviously can't come up with anything original?

This is a riot! How bout Hillary returning the silverware she took!

Hey,Hillary, please return the silverware you stole from the WH!

Obama has a history of stealing speeches and slogans. "Yes we can!" (Si, se puede!) was taken from immigrant protests that took place several months ago, in a blatant (albeit failed) attempt to pander to Latino voters.

I am not a democratic supporter at all so I feel my opinion is fairly unbiased between the two candidates. I do think that the press has been so one sided towards Obama. Hillary can't say anything about him or it is racist which we all know she is NOT....so I guess she has to grasp at benign things like this in order to keep the press from calling her a racist. Neither do I understand what was so racist about Bill Clinton's South Carolina remark. He was just stating the same fact we hear everyday "Blacks are voting for Obama" it is a fact and it is quite alright that they do so but that does not Make President Clinton a racist. Please be fair and considerate to others.

Also, I do agree with an above post. I have a business degree also and I believe I would have failed this course if I did not cite my sources appropriately. Maybe it is not headline news but it is a bit shaky.

Obama was caught redhanded. Anybody intimating otherwise is kidding himself.

I'm so glad to see Senator Clinton and her staff have finally forced Senator Obama into talking about "the real issues" confronting our nation and world.

The only part of the speech that could be called "lifted" is two words - "Just Words". The other parts are quotes from other speeches and texts and not written by Patrick.

Ha ha Clinton's gonna lose another one.

She is trying to get the media off of Bill for his outbursts in Ohio. They go from one bad thing to another.

Obama needs to find his own experience and his own voice. Because his entire campaign is based on speeches it does matter where the words come from.

This obvious ripp makes me puke.

Since Republicans like to ask Muslims to disavow violence, will any Republicans step forward to disavow this digusting statement or will you all remain silent in tacit agreement?

Posted by: paul | February 18, 2008 1:12 PM

PAUL:
HOW DO YOU KNOW HE IS A REPUBLICAN????? FROM HIS COMMENT I CAN ONLY CONCLUDE THAT HE IS AN ASS BIT NO MORE THAN THAT. BTW. I CAN ONLY CONCLUDE THE SAME ABOUT YOU FROM YOUR COMMENT

MICHAEL

Wow, funny how many of you are willing to change the definition of plagiarism just to cover B. Hussein Obama.

It is not the end of the world, but it clearly is plagiarism. Why try to pretend it is not? Maybe we will give him a pass like we did Martin Luther King Jr.

This is no big deal. McCain used Obama's refrain "Fired up and ready to go"

He has "Ready on Day1" on his website. They all take from eachother. Is it plagiarizing? I don't think so, especially if D. Patrick told Obama to use those words.

I still prefer Obama to the lying, sneaky, corrupt HRC

Norman Hsu, Marc Rich pardons for Denise Rich contributuions.
The pardon of crooks (friends of Hillary's brothers) who then later contribute to HRC campaign, white water, cattle futures, no release of tax returns.

I will never vote for that woman.

Obama stole yes-we-can from Bob the Builder ("Can we fix it? Yes-we-can!"

What's all the fuss about?

It isn't as important to steal someone else's quotes as it is to steal the nickels out of the pockets of the taxpayers.

JFK stole the famous "ask not what your country can do for you concept without attribution as well.

Those are just the words of other people's speech writers. Megalomaniacs all! Who are you going to rely on when the Empire falls?

Because Obama is black he
has been successful in keeping alive the fear of saying anything that would seem raceist, and I for one
am putting that fear aside and saying he would not make a good president, black or white. Plagiarism
is what he is guilty of. and I would suspect of many more ways of deceiving the American people.

I agree with the majority of the posted comments that typify the actions of the Clintons as desperate and without value. But....just in case Hillary and Bill are looking for more evidence of plaigarism..."yes we can" is the motto of Thomas the Train...this popular British children's show starring Thomas the talking train is very popular amongst children the same age as Obama!!! Hillary get a life...you are out of ideas!!!!!!

For the people saying he did not plagiarize, you are mistaken. Giving someone permission isnt enough, you have to give them credit. and yes, this rule does not only apply to written words but also speeches. I am not a Clinton supporter myself, but I find it sad that people are willing to bend their definition of plagiarism because they are blinded by someone. I mean, come on guys, this is plagiarism...especially for educated people you know you can't get away with this and you shouldnt! Shame on you Shame!

Amazing that the Obama Nazis can't even admit that "Dear Leader" is wrong here.

A simple "I was tired and neglected to mention my close friend Deval Patricks name" would suffice.

But, no you black racists and white weaklings have to dig in your heals.

Anyone but the evil muslim in november. No Obama!

Posted by: Mark Stephens | February 18, 2008 12:48 PM

Wow, could you be any more racist? Go crawl back under the rock that all conservative come from.

We knew Obama had nothing more than broad " Feel Good" generalities and no substance but finding out his arsenal is nothing but STOLEN WORDS is disturbing

This is up there with the kindergarten essay nonsense. Can the Clintons please stick to what's important? God I'm so ashamed that I voted for Bill twice.

Mark Stephens,

Dude.

Your mixed metaphor, simile, conjugal verbs is making me wish I wasn't so hung up on grammar.

And your military service was what?

How could the remarks be "stolen" or "plagiarized", when D. Patrick consented to their use?

What I find most amusing is that Patrick isn't the one kicking up a fuss. It is the Clinton camp like a bunch of school kids pointing and going 'ooooohhhhhhhh' and they are gonna go tell.

I support neither Obama or Clinton, but it is easy for me to see who is taking the high road and who is playing every political card they carry.

The Obama staff has come up with a new slogan.

Tippacanoe and Obama too.

What I find scary is the Obama canidacy seems to be a 'brand' and Axlerod seems to be the marketing manager.

Posted by: shark | February 18, 2008 1:06 PM

How is this different from any of the candidates? If it's laundry detergent or a presidential candidate, you still have to sell the product.

I see nothing wrong with "marketing" a candidate. It seems quite natural, actually.

If you go for a job inteview you have to "market" yourself. And the campaign process is like a series of job interviews to the American people.

Oh right, like the clintons have never plagiarized? Lets see, is it really plagiarizm if you pay the person to write your speach or if they just like write it for you as a favor? Is it only plagiarism if you dont have permission to speak it, but if you have permission its not? Repeat after me Mrs Clinton "My husband offered the greatest economy in history in his second term, right after he invented the term Contract against America" and then stole Newts Ideas

The problem with all of you making this seem like something out of nothing is that this IS OBAMA... HE IS WORDS... HE REPRESENTS THE VOICE OF WORDS CHANGE HOPE... and it's not even his words... HE IS A FACADE, A FAKE, and NO SUBSTANCE... HILLARY IS NOT DESPARATE JUST POINTING OUT A WEAK CANDIDATE THAT IS MADE OF STRAW AND NO HEART MIND NOR BODY... HE IS A PAWN AND A PUPPET!!!

HILLARY '08

While I am by no means an Obama fan, the idea (or charge) that he "plagiarized" by quoting from (a) the Declaration of Independence, (b) Franklin Roosevelt, and (c) Martin Luther King, simply because ANOTHER politician previously quoted from the same material, is simply and utterly nutty!

C'mon folks. Like so many politicians before him, Obama is only quoting from some of the most recognized and revered political speeches and documents of American history. These quotes are all part of the political domain, and have been uttered by politicians (and wanna-be politicians) for years. They no more belong to Deval Patrick than they belong to the thousands of politicians who used this material prior to Patrick.

The Clintons need to get a grip.

Oh, and by the way, "Give me liberty or give me death." (No, I didn't write it; Patrick Henry did.)

If the Clinton's are worried that Obama can't withstand the "Republican Attack Machine" because he hasn't been vetted, why don't they borrow some effective attacks instead of this desperate nonsense. (I apologize if somewhere in time someone used any of the above combination of words and I did not credit them.)

Hillary is a hypocrite, she too used Obama's words. She is still crying. Obama '08

All Obama had was his pretty words. Now he doesn't even have those. The Emperor has no clothes!

I agree with Kevins comment above. I am not a big fan of either but Clinton appears to be desperate. Who cares who orginally said, attribution is not important and Obama undoubtedly agrees with the statement...more Clinton dirt

The Clintons are so desperate. They are such small people. Each day they behave more badly than the day before. They have so much that is still questionable about them which the media isn't focusing on. Clinton even dares them by her rallying cry - vote for me I'm vetted and doesn't that inspire one to vote for her....not! Well it doesn't seem like she's vetted. Why won't she produce her tax returns, why won't the Clintons list the donors to the Clinton Media, there's a report of a long list of shady contributors to her Senate election and this election. This is just lazy media. A big deal out of nothing.

The Clintons are so desperate. They are such small people. Each day they behave more badly than the day before. They have so much that is still questionable about them which the media isn't focusing on. Clinton even dares them by her rallying cry - vote for me I'm vetted and doesn't that inspire one to vote for her....not! Well it doesn't seem like she's vetted. Why won't she produce her tax returns, why won't the Clintons list the donors to the Clinton Library, there's a report of a long list of shady contributors to her Senate election and this election. This is just lazy media. A big deal out of nothing.

Are any of you people that are attacking Obama with your comments to this story actually READING the story?

The governer from whom he supposedly "plagerized" the words from doesn't care! So it's a non issue.

Are you people that scared of someone other than a Clinton or a Bush in the white house?

This is getting ridiculous. Clinton(BILL and hilary) have been very successful in brainwashing those that do not challenge rhetoric by stating over and over that no one knows where Obama stands on issues nor does he have a well-thought plan to get America on the right track. Are people not listening to Obama due to their close minds. LISTEN and READ - Obama has outlined strategy, plans and design, but even after listening to him, Clinton supporters stare with blank faces. I was a STRONG Clinton supporter until I opened my mind and evaluated both candidates. I felt embarrassed that I ever supported Hilary. There is no surprise that Obama's supporters are educated professionals.

In a word, yes!!! Evidently plagarism doesn't mean the same thing today. I'm glad you well educated Obama fans are not in my literature class.

"MEDIA MEN ALIKE SPEAKS"

BOY THIS IS BETTER THAN RAP MUSIC. BOY THIS IS BETTER THAN "TOO LIVE CREW" BOY THIS IS SPIN, SPIN SPIN, RAP, RAP, RAP.

YO OH WE WANT....SOME NEW TAXES. YO OH WE WANT A NEW "BLACKWATER" YO OH WE WANT SINGLE MOMS WITH NO HEALTCARE. YO OH WE WANT "UGLY WOMEN" IN THE WORLD TO KNOW THEY ARE UGLY BECAUSE THEY VOTE DEMOCRATIC. YO OH WE WANT AMERICA TO SEE RIGHT THROUGH IT'S ON "MEDIA HYPED MUCKRACKING OF THE TWO"

UNDER S BILL 1639, BORN AFTER 1964 YOU TOO WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A "BUSH" SKYWATCH FORENSIC TATOO JUST LIKE JOHN MCCAIN WILL ENSURE THAT YOU GET A "RUDY GIULIANI SKYWATCH" FORENSIC DNA TATOO ON THE BACK OF YO NECK.

SO THE 50.1 MILLION (ONE BEING THE SUPREME COURT) PLEASE JUST SHUT YO NECK BECAUSE THE 49.9999999999999999 THAT DIDN'T COUNT IN 01 IS NOT READY FOR "A SKYWATCH BADGE"

LISTENS TO YOURSELVES, FIGHTING OVER TWO MESSAGES THAT ERASE THE "AXIS OF EVIL" AND THE "EVIL DOERS" OFF THE FACE OF THE WHITEHOUSE.

HILLARY THIS, OBAMA THAT. SO WHAT, JOHN JOHN AND HIS GOP "AXIS OF EVIL" HAS A NEW RAP SONG.

IT GOES LIKE THIS.

I GOT MY MIND ON THE BACK OF YO NECK AND YO NECK ON THE BACK OF MY MIND.

FROM THE LARRY EHLERS COLLECTION!

I think many of you are missing the point. I don't know if what Obama did is plagiarism or not and frankly I couldn't care less. What I do care about is the fact that much of his following is due to his enthusiasm, inspiring speeches, and ability to get a crowd into an emotional frenzy, much as an evangelist does. So the current revelation bothers me in 2 ways.

One is that the words he speaks aren't even his! Why rally behind a person because he is inspiring if the inspiration isn't even his own?! It lets all the air out of the balloon. Don't you feel the deflation?

A commenter compared saying "parting is such sweet sorrow" from Shakespeare to his girlfriend as being similar to what Obama did. But..... your girlfriend knows these are not your original words. How do you think she would feel if she had never heard these words before and thought they were your original, love inspiring words from your heart? And then she found out the truth (which you didn't expect to happen). Come on! It is flash for the sake of flash and creating a false persona.

The second reason this bothers me is that Mr. Obama is nothing but flash. I try to watch all the debates but am not always able. So I started looking online for text versions. Wow. Try it sometime and read the words from Obama and Clinton during the debates and THEN tell me who has specific plans for change. Give me some meat Mr. Obama! No wonder Hillary is frustrated! How would you feel if you knew you had specific plans, your opponent did not and still the people thought he was a God?

And, by the way, I am so sick and tired of hearing that Obama didn't vote for the war and Hillary did and why doesn't she apologize. Where were you people after 9/11???? Don't you remember the feelings of powerlessness, defeat and strong unity we were all feeling with no way to retaliate? We were all looking for a target. And don't you remember the false information that was given to the American people and to Congress regarding WMD in Iraq and Al Quaeda? It was about a year after 9/11 and the feelings were still fresh with all of us.

This selective memory makes me so frustrated (so Hillary I know how you feel!!!). To be clear, I am NOW wholeheartedly against this war. But back then I remember being caught up in the fear and feelings of powerlessness caused by the attack and the Bush administration's false information.

So what I want to know from Barack Obama is.... Why DIDN'T you vote to invade Iraq at the time? The American people wanted to.

Oh, and have you forgotten what he said in the debate that he wouldn't rule out invading Pakistan if necessary? How is that different from invading Iraq?

People, WAKE UP! I don't see Obama as a bad man - quite the opposite. But I don't see him as being ready to lead our country, turn around some of the bad blood Bush has created with other nations, get our economy back on track and lead immediately so that we are ready for the Republicans in 4 years when they come after the Democrats. HUGE accomplishments need to be made quickly because the American people won't wait for Obama to go through training.

He is a GREAT politician. Just listen to the rheteric and see how effective it is. No, he isn't ready to be president yet. You wouldn't see Bill Gates hire someone to lead his company who wasn't trained to do so. Why should we "hire" someone who isn't ready to lead the US?

How do you spell hypocrite? H-I-L-L-A-R-Y! I find it shocking that Hillary Clinton, who has boldly used lines from Obama's speeches without attribution ("I'm fired up and ready to go"; "time to turn the page on Dick Cheney and George Bush," "yes we can," "I'm not running to be President of the Democratic States, I'm running to be President of the United States, et al!) is now trying to smear Obama. What an act of desperation!

"The governer from whom he supposedly "plagerized" the words from doesn't care! So it's a non issue.

Posted by: Elliott | February 18, 2008 4:26 PM"

Spoken like a true cheat. Everyone's a victim when a plagiarist is let off the hook. Patrick can't let Obama off the hook, ESPECIALLY when he's never said he knew Obama would take his speech beforehand. He obviuously didn't. That's not borrowing. That's stealing.

I thought Hillary and Barrack were going to keep things civil. I guess it was too much to ask of Hillary. Stooping to this level just shows how low she will go. I want a president that we can be proud of, not more of what we have now.

If his zealous sheep-like supporters will take one sober moment to reflect, they”ll shake off the spell of demagoguery that Obama has cast, aided by the unquestioning media that fabricated him. Some say he’’s riding on nothing but great oratory. Today we learn it’’s great plagiarized oratory. I”ll go a step further–he’’s a second-rate speaker with meaningless lines that insult our intelligence, who stutters his way through debates and interviews. Great orator? The new JFK?? Talk about audacious! To plagiarize an orator who tells it like it is: “this whole thing is the biggest fairytale I”ve ever heard!”

Spoken like a true cheat. Everyone's a victim when a plagiarist is let off the hook. Patrick can't let Obama off the hook, ESPECIALLY when he's never said he knew Obama would take his speech beforehand. He obviuously didn't. That's not borrowing. That's stealing.

Posted by: Jeff | February 18, 2008 5:32 PM

Spoken like a true hypocrite, who refuses to acknowledge that his own chosen Candidate John McCain has stolen from Obama.

Why are you letting him off the hook Jeff, are you a cheat?

Don't bother answering. I think everyone knows the answer to that question.

This is such a sad state. This is an agent of change, not more of the same? Hillary is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow....fight like a pitbull until everyone is destroyed.

He was wrong. He copied another speech, word for word. The defination is PLAGIARIZED. How can Obama fanatics look away from this? This is a huge red flag. My God, he's running for President and he steals someone elses words. NO. He was wrong!

I can't believe this thing has legs....especially with videos of Hillary taking Obama's words...without permission. They hope that they can accumulate something to stick...all she does is go negative. She is building a baseless case in hopes to sway people..this is sick. I would never vote for Hillary. I wouldn't vote for McCain either...I'd keep my vote in my pocket. She trumps the invisible experience but when compared with senate Bills introduced Obama's is far superior in relevance. She speaks of solutions as if she has detailed something that Obama hasn't. Obama refrains from this pettiness as much as possible but this is crazy. No wonder Hillary is polarizing.

OBAMA O8---HOUSTON, TEXAS

Obama used this material and did not credit the source. It does not matter if the source agrees for the person to use it or not. Obama MUST have credited the source for it to not be plagiarized!!!

Taken from Webster.com
plagiarize

Main Entry: pla·gia·rize
Pronunciation: \ˈplā-jə-ˌrīz also -jē-ə-\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): pla·gia·rized; pla·gia·riz·ing
Etymology: plagiary
Date: 1716
transitive verb
: to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own : use (another's production) without crediting the source
intransitive verb
: to commit literary theft : present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source
— pla·gia·riz·er noun

It's ridiculous that this topic has gotten as many responses as it has.

A non-story. Fodder for the beltway only.

Obama 2008

As an independent voter, I have this to say. You are looking at this issue with biases. Your minds are already made up – You protect Obama/attack Hillary or accuse Obama/and agree with the Hillary's camp. But rather I think you should take the available information to evaluate the candidates and not be blinded by emotional attachments.

Obama’s “Word Speech” is a classic case of PLAGIARISM. He used another person’s speech without given proper credit. The difference in this case is his delivery and its significance on the point of his rhetoric. It’s neither a rally phrase nor something that is commonly used by most political contenders at conferences. He appeared genuine and passionate as if it’s something of his, came from his heart – too bad, it’s a borrowed speech without the proper credit – passing of something that really belonged to someone else. He got caught plagiarized – and of course he can get Frank James to be on his side after the fiasco, especially with his current political momentum and the millions in his campaign fund – not to say that is the case, but who can escape such a thought??

I question what else of Obama that is borrowed? People tend to buy into political rhetoric and do not examine issue in depth. We are selecting a candidate to lead our nation, not a guest at our dinner table.

Barrack Obama has done a great job getting young people involved and getting them to watch this campaign. He should do the RIGHT THING now and show leadership by admitting that it's wrong to use someone else's words and ideas without crediting them. What message does this send to every student????????? Words Do Matter, Barrack.

Hillary didn't credit Mario Cuomo when she borrowed his words to impress her audience with "You campaign in poetry; you govern in prose." She has tried to reappropriate all Obama's campaign ideas, e.g., "the candidate for change," (which she didn't start using until later); "fired up and ready to go;" "yes we can," and, more recently, the music piped-in at her events, similar to Obama's signature "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" idea.

Let's be for real. This may not be a big deal. However, everyone thought these were his speeches. It's obvious that he's "borrowing" from everyone. If it were anyone else, it would be construed as negative. Since it's Obama, it's okay. This is not the first time.

Considering Deval Patrick and Obama are friends who exchange ideas often, this seems like much ado over nothing.

Hillary repeatedly steals lines and slogans from her opponents in order to try and "own" certain issues, for instance when she got "fired up and ready to go" in Iowa.

Then Hillary says that Obama is "all words and no action". By doing this she is trying to capitalize on those voters who are ether too lazy, stupid, or stubborn to listen to or look up Obama's policies themselves. Meanwhile, if you ask a Hillary supporter what Hillary stands for, they can't answer you. They are given a talking point, and then they just regurgitate over and over again like a parrot.
Let me remind Clinton supporters that educated voters heavily favor Obama, so to say that he lacks substance really just reflects your own ignorance. We can read, we can tell you what Obama stands for, and we can tell you why his positions are better, and all you Hillary supporters can do is say "he lacks substance". Go get a college degree and then come talk to me about substance. My guess is, by the time you are done with school you will support Obama too!

Deval Patrick is one of Obama's advisers. This is in no way plagiarism! Patrick even praised Obama for responding to Hillary's attacks in such a way. Its nice to know that the Clintons are getting this desperate, I just can't wait until we never have to hear from them again.

If this is the most compelling argument that Clinton can make in favor of her candidacy, it is a decidedly weak one. "Vote for me because I take less input from my friends and allies". Honestly, voters could give two hoots. The only case Clinton has made for herself is that it is "her turn" to be president. The Clintons are both laughable and absurd. Point Obama.

To all of the anti-Obama Hillary supporters I ask, what has Obama done to prove to you that he will be unable to deliver? Are you just making the HUGE leap from being skeptical to implying that he's totally incapable? Those who believe these naysayers seem to be as naive as they claim Obama supporters to be.
And what has Hillary (not Bill) done to prove that she is capable? She's done a lot of health care research. Besides that, please let me know what she has done to prove that she'll be able to fulfill her promises. How about the 200,000 jobs she promised New York she'd help create as senator? From what I hear she didn't even come close.
You naysayers are proving how polarizing she can be. You're not content to prove how she's the best candidate. You're out to prove why you think Obama is not. You are trying to discredit Obama's campaign because he and his friend agreed that the entire nation needed to hear the same words that were previously spoken to Massachusetts gubernatorial election voters in 2006. Words spoken BY his friend. Words that are an inspirational part of American history and are commonplace in speeches that happen all over the country. Please explain to me how this is wrong.
Hillary's negative attacks, and the anti-Obama rhetoric uttered by many of her supporters are doing more to prove her inability to lead, deliver, and inspire than any negative attacks that Obama supporters could unleash against her.
Maybe if Hillary had the ability to utter some words that inspired me then I would have a little more faith in her ability to lead and unite this country.

The way Obama rants on and on in his speeches about Hillary he is starting to sound like that Penelope character on Saturday Night Live, I do everything better, I did that before you did, I already said that, I invented that before you did. What's next? is Obama going to tell Al Gore he invented the Internet first and so he already did that too and it was better?

Hillary All the Way

Obama is among the most generous American politicians when it comes to distributing credit. I don't think I've ever heard him speak without telling a story about another person who has inspired him. It fits his model of politics from the bottom up. The "Call For Renewal" speech on his Senate website comes to mind. As does the anecdote about how he found the chant, "Fired Up! Ready to Go!"

I am an English instructor and gave a lesson today on plagiarism. Part of our discussion focused on the rituals of accusation in which our culture regularly engages, as if practices like patchwriting are no different than outright stealing. The slime in this case is located entirely in the Clinton camp. Indeed, it is Clinton's failure to put her accusation in context that violates the spirit of rules against plagiarism.

I suggest that anyone interested read Rebecca Moore Howard's article, "Plagiarisms, Authorships, and the Academic Death Penalty." Moore demonstrates that Martin Luther King, Jr., himself can be considered a plagiarist if we use the absolutist position to judge his work.

Hillary and her campaign really need to give we the voters some credit for having common sense and recognizing the desperatness of her efforts. Mrs. Clinton particulary has borrowed countless times from Barack Obama in almost every rally she appears. I do not recall her once asking permission or giving him credit for using his campaign motto's over and over again. If this isn't the pot calling the kettle black, I don't know what is. This is yet another example of why people admire the dignified and smart way he chooses to run his campaign and why his character and class stands head and shoulders above hers. Hillary would have had my reluctant vote merely to get a democrat back in the presidential seat, but now, without reservation and with great pride, I will cast my ballot for Barack Obama.
I realize now more than ever, it is not so much about party affiliation, but about the person. No matter what party he belonged to, he would have my vote. Thanks to Barack Obama for restoring our faith and giving us hope. Lastly, showing the world that great character means something in America and will do wonders abroad.

"Ask Not: The Inaguration of John F. Kennedy and the Speech That Changed America," Thurston Clarke, Henry Holt Publishing, 2004.

Getting back to the original argument, words do matter.

Hillary: wrong on her approach to healthcare in '94; wrong on trusting GW in 2003; wrong about acting on "actionable intelligence in Pakistan in 2007; wrong again on the importance of words in 2008.

How many strikes are the Democrats going to give this candidacy?

The good news is that if Hillary does win the presidency, her inauguration speech should pretty much be, "Thanks, let's get to work." Anything more would just be words. And as she has told us, "words are cheap."

That goes for the State of the Union, too, Hillary. No words. Only action.

CLINTON DESPERATION AT WORK, AS HER NUMBERS ARE IN A FREEFALL. SHE'LL NEVER LEARN.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/104407/Gallup-Daily-Tracking-Election-2008.aspx

In New Hampshire, in her victory speech, Hillary said (in an indirect reference to Mr. Obama) "you campaign in poetry, you govern in prose."

SHE plagiarized, because THAT particular political maxim was first uttered in a 1985 speech at Yale University by former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo.

"Words, words, words, I'm so sick of words. I get words all day first from him then from you is that all you blikers can do?" That's a line sung by Liza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. Whoever becomes president should set up a blue ribbon commission on words and how we use them in America. Seriously! Anytime someone starts a sentence with "I mean" or uses "I mean" in their conversation something is wrong with the way we use language in this country. "You know?"

As for the great "plagiarism scandal" someone should tell Howard Wolfson and the Clintonistas that they are just plain silly.

Um, didn't Senator McCain just say he was "fired up and ready to go" the other day? Come on - at some point phrases are so common as to not be rationally attributable to a single entity (despite what the copyright lawyers might want to argue)

Obama exposed.

Empty suit... maybe even no suit?

"The Emperor's New Clothes" by Sinead O'Connor ends with the lines, "through their own words / they will be exposed

More important than his "borrowing", is his experience in "remembering" and disclosing the truth. Chicago Tribune article today describes how Emperor OB toured his new castle with federally-indicted Rezko.

Just making sure he got a good deal. He did! What are we going to get -- fancy speeches in fancy suits from an charlatan.

To be fair, we could look at his experience in making "change", lets see... OB backed Stroger?

Great choice. More taxes, less services, but more $1.65 mil houses for our New Emperor and his "change" friends.

Here's some ticket ideas

Obama / Rezko?
Obama / Stroger?
Obama / Biden?

ths sounds better..
Clinton / Bayh

Dear DJ,

The world would take any of your Obama/xxx tickets over this one:

Clinton/Peter Paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGdhCmCuRhk

Enjoy the video, especially Hillary on tape.

The Clinton's are desperate and they really need to stop this unnecessary attack.

First of all, this is not plagiarism. If any of you had seen the whole clip from that day you would know that both Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama spoke to the same crowd in Milwaukee. Mr Obama apparently spoke after Mrs Clinton and responded with the "just words ?" comments after she accused Mr Obama of being an articulate windbag who uses 'just words' to create enthusiasm. So, really she set him up and he took the bait so that her campaign could respond with typical petulance. Second of all, you people want to argue over the significance of two words:" just words ?"

The truly important thing to realize is that if any of you entertain this red herring then Mrs. Clinton has already won in her effort to distract you from the things that really matter: the war, education, the economy, etc.

Wake me up when she strikes upon a real flaw in Mr. Obama's strategy for leading our nation forward.

Mrs. Clinton is a joke. The only thing I believe she's interested in is her own ambition.

the fact is obama is running a campaign on CHANGE and then he rehashes the same political rhetoric of someone else! that's not change that taking bolonie and making hash. when i listen to obama i was awed NOW i know that it's someone else's words and he's just like the rest of them...what a fool...i am!

Hark. Is that a rotund madam I hear clearing her throat in the wings? ~Supracus Delagatae~ ! chanted the three witches into their bubbling cauldron."

-Shakespeare's McClinton

Hilary "stole" the words "you campaign in poetry; you govern in prose" from Mario Cuomo, who spoke those words at her alma mater several years ago. Perhaps she was in the audience and pocketed the words to use later when she ran for president???

Hillary uses cheap shots to combate Obama. Shame on her! It is she who looks dumb trying to squash Free Speech. The freedom of the information Hillary is so hung-up on~~ was freely granted. Another dumb move: Hillary groupies on Feb.15th filed to form a political committee to evade donation limitations.
Their goal is: to raise
$100,000 from a 100 of her supporters; right out of the book of dirty tricks.
This raises legal/ethical issues; groups like this are forbidden to work primarily for the purpose of electing or defeating a candidate. Indicates to me how desperate the Clinton Machine is over her loses and out of y e n o m; she ran her campaign backwards thinking she would win hands down Super Tuesday. Losers can be wastefull. I By the way, her new swift boat is called "American Leadership Project." So, we may see an ad running on Craig's list that goes like this:
Swift Boat for sale.CHEAP, it worked four years ago, not so reliable today.Will sell to anyone willing to make a large donation for sinking ship. Hillary's
campaign spent more than
$11,000 on pizza,$1,200 on Dunkin Donuts runs & a local supermarket delivered sandwich platters to pre-caucus parties at a cost of more than $95,384.
Laugh here-------.
You don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old cause you stop laughing