Political speech is derivative.

[cali]

Art is derivative. Literature is derivative. In fact, there are really no new ideas- just twists on the main themes in life, and cloaking ideas in slightly new garb.

This is NOT a defense of Obama. He should have attributed his words to Patrick. He did come close to plagiarizing.

It is a defense of Clinton. Her riffing off of Obama and other campaigns is not plagiariasm, anymore than his riffing off other campaigns is plagiarism. Clinton saying "Take back our country is not plagiarism. It's not even close. And Obama speaking of hope is not ripping off Jesse Jackson.

This whole business is absurd. Obama made a minor gaffe. That's it. And Clinton seized on it. I have no doubt Obama would have done the same thing.

Nothing horrible has been done by either side.

This entire kerfuffle is about as silly as it gets.

[DJ13]

1. "I have no doubt Obama would have done the same thing. "

I cant think of one instance where the Obama campaign was the first to attack.

Every time I can recall where they've said something negative about either Clinton, its been as a response to a Clinton attack on Obama or his campaign.
:shrug:

[cali]

2. Offhand, I can't either

but my point is that this whole deal is being overblown, and frankly what Clinton did wasn't awful. She saw a political opportunity and took it.