The "plagiarism" debate in regard to politics is kind of ridiculous.

[JackRiddler]

I wish the only problem with politicians was that they all draw from the same tired body of rhetoric. When was the last time you mistook one for Shakespeare - himself an incorrigible plagiarist?

make no mistake
god bless
hope and change
for our children
hate our freedoms

new ideas
keep us safe
create jobs
help you help yourself
end partisan politics
brush your teeth

trust the maverick
trust experience
get things done
outside the beltway
unite don't polarize
my plan

resolve to flipflop
tax and spend
those who serve
work for you
war and peace
secure prosperity

i've heard your message
old glory

[chimpymustgo]

1. LOL. I'd rather hear Obama say something with some substance, rather more platitudes

whether he "borrowed" them from someone else, or not.

[Windy]

9. I've listened to Hillarys stump speech and Obamas... where is the "substance" in Hillary's stump?

There is none! Both candidates make campaign promises. There is no substance in either of their speeches. This argument is pure bunk. Hillary hopes that by repeating this claim over and over, that Barack is all words and no substance, will cause the weak minded to believe that its actually true when there is no evidence that her stump is any different than his!

It appears to be working with some of you!

You may want to actually listen to both of their stump speeches for a change!

[Raven]

2. Thank you. I was trying to say this very thing in an earlier post.

You have said it much better. This whole debate/discussion is ridiculous. And I think William S. stole from Marlow and on and on and on...

[Tom Rinaldo]

Essentially I agree with you, however...

There is a real element of "Live by the pen, Die by the pen" at play in this. So much of the positive media buzz about Obama has centered on his dazzling oratory skills, about his uplifting and powerful speeches and his amazing way with words, that there is almost an inevitable reverse focus now on whether Obama can take full credit for those speeches, and for those words, as his own.

It's the other side of the coin. Obama has run his campaign less on his record of accomplishments (with the notable but ironic exception of his powerful 2002 speech against pending war with Iraq) than on his ability to inspire, and his ability to lead and unify America through his ability to inspire with words. Therefor the mechanics of how Obama inspires with words almost inevitably become newsworthy to a media that was mesmerized by them in the first place.

[Enrique]

3. But Obama's supposed to be different

that's his whole thing, he's not just another phony politician.

[JackRiddler]

5. And what's Clinton's "thing"? Please.

[Enrique]

7. imo, her thing is Bill Clinton's presidency

[mrreowwr_kittty]

4. Seriously. The level of naivete in this place is astounding.

I honestly think some Dems like losing. It's like a badge of honor or something. They can't even contemplate that we have a candidate who is energizing a lethargic electorate, for once. Can't have that! My heavens no! They want the candidate who drones on and on about policy details, like I'm watching Clinton do on CSPAN right now.

[JackRiddler]

6. Truth to tell, I want the one who drones on about policy details, too...

just not that policy!

[mrreowwr_kittty]

8. Get elected now. Drone afterwards. nt

[Tom Rinaldo]

10. Kick for side by side comparisons with the other thread

Who is plagerising who here. lol?

[JackRiddler]

11. Seriously: Which other thread do you mean?

If someone else did the same thing, they are helping to illustrate the same point.

No, wait.

I'm gonna ruin them for ripping me off!!!

[Tom Rinaldo]

12. This one:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4649110&mesg_id=4649110

I'm sure Drudge will pick up on this in no time.

[JackRiddler]

13. Hmmm... the plagiarism of my plagiarism post is getting more replies.

Figures.

[taterguy]

14. Life is so unfair

[JackRiddler]

15. I never thought otherwise, I had the Bard as my teacher nt

[taterguy]

16. So that makes you what? About 500 years old?

What's the secret to your longevity?

[JackRiddler]

17. No, he has a secret way of communicating with me through time.

He wrote words on paper.