Desparate Clinton Accuses Obama of Plagiarism
The latest line of attack on Sen. Barack Obama from Sen. Hillary Clinton is the accusation that Obama plagiarized Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. Someone put a visual aid up on YouTube:
Plagiarism? Really? Than Obama stole “change” from Bill Clinton in 1992. And I’m sure he stole “hope” from countless other previous Presidential politicians. In many ways Obama is a cross between McGovern and Carter. When will those two be griping to the press?
James Joyner doesn’t see plagiarism here:
As delightful as this catch would be, it strikes me as more than a bit of a stretch to call this plagiarism. Yes, both speeches contain the mantra “Just words” and quote the most famous phrases of the Declaration of Independence and Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. But these words are iconic in American politics and, especially, for black candidates.
Being a former university professor Joyner had to deal with this.
Peter Morgan and law professor Glenn Reynolds wrote an entire chapter on how plagiarism has become highly legalistic. As we see today it’s a political weapon employed for well-timed attacks before elections. Morgan and Reynolds quote from a 1952 book, Plagiarism and Originality, by Alexander Lindey:
Plagiarism is literary — or artistic or musical — theft. It is the false assumption of authorship: the wrongful act of taking the product of another person’s mind, and presenting it as one’s own. Copying someone else’s story or play or song, intact or with inconsequential changes, and adding one’s name to the result constitute a simple illustration of plagiarism.
Judging from this passage Obama isn’t in good shape. “Inconsequential changes” were made to his speech. However Lindey also writes, “[E]very instance of borrowing must be assessed in its time and place. The laws of conscience derive from custom.”
Context is important. With that included Obama is vindicated. Patrick talked to Obama about the rhetoric vs. substance argument Clinton has been espousing. Patrick encouraged Obama to use his rhetorical counter-attack:
Mr. Patrick said he did not believe Mr. Obama should give him credit.
“Who knows who I am? The point is more important than whose argument it is,” said Mr. Patrick, who telephoned The New York Times at the request of the Obama campaign. “It’s a transcendent argument.”
It isn’t intellectual theft when people put pictures on Flickr without restrictions or release open source software code with the world. It’s called “sharing.” Patrick talked with Obama and “shared” his riff. Neither of these men were harmed.
Who has been harmed is Sen. Clinton. A plagiarism charge on top of a call for more debates? That cuts into her message about being the candidate of substance versus Obama’s charismatic speaking style. It’s also another sign of desperation.
Imagine if/when Obama comes back with a passage in a Clinton speech that looks eerily similar to something someone else said. Allahpundit tries to help. Watching that blowback will require a nice, big bucket of popcorn.
“An Obama Refrain Bears Echoes of a Governor’s Speeches”
“Is This Really Plagiarism? No” [via memeorandum]
I just hope that it smacks of desperation to more than those of us who want to see her go down. I mean, Patrick came out immediately and said he encouraged Obama to use his line. This has no traction! It boggles the mind.
If y’all want to use the phrase “empty suit,” it should be applied to Hillary. She’s running out of ideas.
Did you see the story about the Obama supporter getting in Bill’s face in Ohio? The kid sounds like he was a douchebag, but the thought of Bill angrily waving his finger at some kid really makes me giggle.