Last night, a bit of oppo research from Team Obama passed through my inbox, making the the point that Hillary Clinton's winning final moment of last night's debate — which culminated in a warm handshake with rival Barack Obama and closed out the night with thunderous applause and a standing O — was actually crafted from a phrase used by John Edwards. The pertinent part of the email, with subject line "Clinton's 'best moment' someone else's line?" below:
Clinton Tonight: "You know, whatever happens, we're going to be fine. You know, we have strong support from our families and our friends. I just hope that we'll be able to say the same thing about the American people. And that's what this election should be about." [Democratic Debate, 2/21/07]
John Edwards: "What's not at stake are any of us. All of us are going to be just fine no matter what happens in this election. But what's at stake is whether America is going to be fine." [Democratic Debate, 12/13/07]
John Edwards: "I want to say this to everyone: with Elizabeth, with my family, with my friends, with all of you and all of your support, this son of a millworker's gonna be just fine. Our job now is to make certain that America will be fine." [Edwards Speech, 1/30/08]
Nice catch from Team Obama, though as I have resolutely (and unpopularly) argued, the specific issue here was the lift of a specific, identifiable chunk of speech as opposed to a general theme. On a lark, I typed in "Clinton" and various permutations of "going to be fine," and found this:
Bill Clinton: "You know she's not -- some people who run for president can't wait to get out of the Senate, or out of whatever other job she's got. She loves it. She's still doing it. She's still going to her committee meetings, going to upstate New York and trying to run for president as well... So, for her personally she's going to be fine regardless. I think it'd be best for the country if she were elected president, but if voters make another choice, she's a great senator, and she loves her job, and we'll have a great life." [Larry King Live, 4/13/07]
Which Edwards cleary ripped off, after Clinton had ripped him off, and he'd ripped himself off from 2005:
John Edwards: "Bad things happen to everybody... The difference is if happens to me, I'll be fine." [Speech against poverty, 11/30/05]
I don't know about you, but that totally reminded me of this iconic exchange:
Captain: It's no use, you and I. I'm being dishonest to both of us and utterly unfair to you. When two people talk of marriage...
Elsa: No, don't, don't say another word, Georg, please? You see, uh, there are other things I've been thinking of. Fond as I am of you, I really don't think you're the right man for me. You're much too independent and I need someone who needs me desperately, or at least needs my money desperately. I've enjoyed every moment we've had together. I do thank you for that. Now, if you'll forgive me, I'll go inside, pack my little bags, and return to Vienna where I belong. And somewhere out there is a young lady who I think will never be a nun. ["The Sound of Music," Best Picture 1965 (and ever)]
Translation: The Baroness is gonna be fine!
Upshot: All of political speech can be traced to "The Sound of Music" — I'm pretty sure David Axelrod's got "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" on repeat in his office.* Also, I think we can all agree that Captain Von Trapp is damned sexy. Between the whistle-blowing and the nun-deflowering, you know you think so, too (the New York Times is currently working on a story linking that to John McCain). Rolf, please! Okay we're done, sorta like a bunch of Von Trapp-chasing Nazis without vital automobile parts.
P.S. Today's headline was Deval Patricked from a co-worker at HuffPo who wishes to remain anonymous.
P.P.S. Rorschach: Which candidate does the above photo of Maria Von Trapp remind you of more, Obama or Hillary?
Related:
It's Only Words, And Words Are All I Have To Take Your Heart Away [BeeGees]
It's Only Words, And Words Are All I Have To Take Your Heart Away [Bo Bice]
*A dream that will need all the love you can give
Everyday of your life for as long as you live!
Climb ev'ry mountain, ford ev'ry stream
Follow ev'ry rainbow — 'till you find your dream!