If it turned out John Edwards was copying Patrick's speeches word for word in his own,

[Seabiscuit]

I'd be feeling devastated, especially if my main reason for backing him was a feeling that his speeches were inspiring and that what we needed as a country was less experience and more inspiration.

I'd feel so devastated I'd probably go hide in a corner for a week.

I certainly wouldn't allow the world to watch my head exploding all over DU by posting in denial mode and pointing fingers at some other candidate.

Take note, Obamanoids, as you prove my point by flaming away at me.

[blogslut]

1. oh, so it's word for word now

why, five minutes ago it was a few selected phrases

consistency people!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. Wasn't Edwards just ripping off Kucinich?

:shrug:

[Eric J in MN]

3. One paragraph isn't the same as an entire speech. NT

NT

[ProSense]

4. How do you feel about this:

Edwards lifted Kerry's 2004 platform:

John Kerry (2004) on Corporations

John Edwards (2007) on Corporations

They've all lifted policy from Kerry's campaign

[Oregone]

5. And his Tale of Two Americas was wholly original...

Just ask Charles Dickens.

The bulk of his faux populist rhetoric was recycled from the hearts and minds of great leaders that actually believed in what they were preaching and feeling.

[karynnj]

6. Many Edwards things were taken from Kerry

His 2008 platform was closer to Kerry 2004 than to his own. Kerry was the one in 2004 with the rhetoric on being a President who would the truth all the time and on the need for moral leadership in the world. Both of those things were in Kerry's speeches every day Now Edwards was NOT plagerizing - even though there are sentences where he uses almost the same words Kerry did.

These 2 sentences borrowed from Patrick are not a huge part of Obama's speeches - and the concept of countering that words are not important by citing some of the some inspirational AMERICAN quotes is obvious.

[rox63]

7. One of Obama's speechwriters used to work for Patrick

Obama and Patrick are long-time friends who have consulted closely on each other's campaigns. So the lines in question may have actually been put into Obama's speeches by the exact same writer. Obama has Patrick's permisssion to use the lines. If he's got Patrick's permission, it's not plagiarism.