Obama Speech: Copied, Not to Mention Arrogant
Ah, YouTube, you've done it again. Another politician caught being somewhat less than forthright.
A key passage in Obama's speech, meant to address the perception that his campaign is all rhetoric, turns out to be awkwardly similar to a speech given by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick in 2006. The Obama campaign has admitted to "riffing off" Patrick's words. Check out the video; it's only a minute or so long.
Just to be contrary, I'll point out that the events used as examples in the speech were massive undertakings spanning many years led by mature, experienced executives.
"I have a dream..." The Martin Luther King/Lydon Johnson relationship on Civil Right has been sufficiently discussed in recent weeks.
"Nothing to fear but fear itself..." FDR was a Assistant Secretary to the Navy (7 years), failed Vice-Presidential candidate (1920), New York Governor (4 years) before becoming President in 1933. The "nothing to fear" phrase is from his first inaugural address.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident..." Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776 (by committee). The United States didn't ratify the Constitution until 1789, and Jefferson wasn't President until 1801. The Revolutionary War was run by Washington, an experienced general, and John Hancock (President of the Continental Congress) who'd served two years on the Mass. General Court, six years in the State Legislature, before being elected President of the Massachusetts Provential Congress in 1774, then President of the Continental Congress from 1775-1777.
So what's the point of the history lecture? These quotes are uplifting words in the face of unprecedented historic challenges, rallying Americans to give mature leaders the public support they needed to implement radical change. Obama uses them as examples to justify his existence, but his situation lacks the significance - both in terms of challenges and solutions - and gravitas of his examples. But to draw parallels between the significance of his campaign and the challenges of the Revolutionary War, the Great Depression and the struggle for Civil Rights - not to mention putting himself on the same level as Martin Luther King, Franklin Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson - is arrogant, disrespectful and untrue.
Oh, and in his defense, the Obama campaign points to Hillary using "his" phrases like "Fired Up, Ready to Go," and "Yes, We Can." Apparently, Obama is taking credit for cliches now. Cesar Chavez coining the phrase "Si, se puede" in 1972 doesn't stop Obama from taking credit for it, too. Bob the Builder and Deval Patrick should take comfort that they're not alone.
Obama, YouTube, arrogant, Deval Patrick, copied
Senator Barack Obama and Governor Deval Patrick have long been friends (years). Patrick has campaigned for Obama since the candidacy was announced. Patrick himself says he didn't think Obama should have credited him in the New York Times because they trade off of each other.
The only reason this is a story is because Obama has been annointed frontrunner status and Clinton criticisms are magnified by the media in order to keep the horserace alive. And that's fine.
Won't matter soon enough, as multiple news outlets are highlighting Hillary Clinton's own "plagiarisms" throughout her career.
The reason it's an issue if because it calls into question whether or not the words he's peddling are his own, or if the ideas are even his own. If judgement and "inspiration" are what he's supposed to be bringing to the table, it matters if he's ripping sections of his speeches out of the speeches of a failing governor in Massachusetts.
You know your candidate is in trouble when the campaign is yelling "plagiarism" over literally two words. It's sort of sad and humorous to watch at the same time. Next time you have a chance, ask an actual voter what they care about more: two words or the future of America? Clinton campaign should get back to their poll-testing positions so they can quicker realize no one cares about this important "issue".
In any event, here's what the "plagiarism victim", the succeeding governor of Massachusetts of course, has to say about it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbR_JxTHTz4
Talk about using a sledgehammer to pound the last nail in the coffin on that little ditty. Watch your fingers.
So can any college student say my friend gave me permission to use his thesis as a defense for plagiarism? I kinda like the idea of getting away with theft with the obama defense.