The Moderate Voice - Latest Comments in Clinton And Obama Campaigns Accuse Each Other Of “Borrowing” Rhetoric

Re: Clinton And Obama Campaigns Accuse Each Other Of “Borrowing” Rhetoric

StockBoySF — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:17:55 -0000

OK, let me get this straight.... Deval Patrick suggested to Obama that he (Obama) use some of his (Deval's) phrases while on the stump Then Hillary jumps in and claim that Obama stole (or whatever) Deval Patrick's phrases and calls foul. Deval Patrick backs up Obama.

Since when has using phrases suggested by one's own supporters been grounds to call the truth in rhetoric squad and make a complaint?

What are the candidates supposed to do, sit in a vacuum, not talk to anyone for ideas on words/phrases?

What about all those speeches that are written by speech writers, particularly the speeches filled with lies? To take Bush, "I'm a uniter, not a divider," "I'm a compassionate conservative," "I believe in a humble foreign policy." And let's not forget the whole Iraq war and the statements propagated by the Bushies.

If Hillary wanted to slam someone on rhetoric she could start by beginning with those politicians who intentionally (and in some case destructively) mislead the American people.

Hillary should focus on real dangers instead of making up non-existent slights.

Anyway, this "fire drill" will be good for Obama if he gets the Dem. nomination and goes up against the Republican smear machine.

Obama, Instead of trading barbs with Hillary, should say that lots of people, Dems and Republicans, including Hillary, Romney, McCain, borrow some of his ideas and phrases. He can go on to say that he considers it a compliment that so many different types of people borrow from him, and this is evidence that his appeal crosses party, gender and age lines. Obama can also add in that if Hillary wants to borrow his "change" slogan, that's fine with him. It just gets his message to more people. Not only would it remind people that "change" is his word, it also takes away some of Hillary's power when she campaigns (on "borrowed" slogans).

Lastly, if Obama wanted to really dig in deep (and cause a ruckus- I can just imagine Hillary's response), on the stump he could actually say, "Thank you" to Hillary Clinton for spreading his message and that he's glad he has already brought about some change. :)

Re: Clinton And Obama Campaigns Accuse Each Other Of “Borrowing” Rhetoric

Dividist — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:57:39 -0000

This episode by itself, is understandable, explainable, not that egregious, and not that meaningful.

Problem being - this was strike two.Strike one occurred a few weeks ago. In his Super Tuesday victory speech there was another unattributed "borrowed" phrase - "we are the ones we are waiting for..."-. That episode is again - by itself - understandable, explainable, not that egregious, not that meaningful. But...

Take both items together, and it looks like a pattern of speechifying without attribution. Obama is looking like a serial "borrower" as are many lovers of language, including more than a few bloggers. This is not really a problem, unless you are running for president - ask Joe Biden.

My take - This still has not risen to the level that it will cost him support. But..Does a different standard apply to a candidate for President? Ask Joe Biden. He learned that there is even a different standard for a Senatorial candidate. He was re-elected repeatedly, despite nothing having changed over the offenses that torpedoed his presidential campaign.

Like Joe Biden, Obama has used other people’s phrasing in speeches presented as if they were his own words.

Do either episodes meet the serious standard for a charge of “plagiarism”? No. Absolutely not. It didn’t in Biden’s case either.

Re: Clinton And Obama Campaigns Accuse Each Other Of “Borrowing” Rhetoric

DLS — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:32:41 -0000

Didn't I see a lot of Clinton signs at one of her rallies saying "CHANGE"?

Re: Clinton And Obama Campaigns Accuse Each Other Of “Borrowing” Rhetoric

pacatrue — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:51:01 -0000

How does one footnote in a speech? I guess he should have added "as Deval Patrick said" somewhere....?

Re: Clinton And Obama Campaigns Accuse Each Other Of “Borrowing” Rhetoric

StockBoySF — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:47:24 -0000

Paul, I couldn't agree with you more.

Re: Clinton And Obama Campaigns Accuse Each Other Of “Borrowing” Rhetoric

PaulSilver — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:10:30 -0000

It hurts to see the Clinton's revealing their dysfunction again. they are bright enough to master street fighting but not bright enough to rise above it.
HRC may still become the nominee and this will help make it hard to for many to embrace her.