Barack Obama: Will the Wound Heal?

It began as the non-troversy of the holiday shortened week: the accusation that Barack Obama had plagiarized part of a stump speech from Mass. Governor Deval Patrick

He hadn't. And even if he had lifted or borrowed or co-opted a couple of lines, does anybody really think the post-modern politician expresses a single word that isn't team scripted and focus group tested before it's uttered in the public square?

The plagiarism jab left barely a scratch on Obama. But sometimes even the slightest wounds can fail to heal.

As I was making the rounds with the cable newsers this past Tuesday before the primary, I witnessed first-hand a theme develop. Almost to a person the newers I spoke with dismissed the plagiarism rap, but wondered aloud about Obama's rhetoric. The word rhetoric being flipped from asset to pejorative. Was there, they wondered, more to Obama than his rhetoric? How far, they asked, would his rhetoric take him? When would his rhetoric be replaced by specifics?

The Obama/rhetoric question is not new.

And some of the hectoring over Obama-mania is coming from the usual suspects. But the Chris Matthews/Kirk Watson interview was fuel on the fire, and in the days since the chorus of "give us more" seems to have increased rather than diminished.

Certainly some of this hectoring can be attributed to the media news cycle looking for a new drum to beat, if not some old fashioned player hating for the new Democratic front runner. But for those who think the questions of rhetoric are limited to MSM hacks with sharp knives, it is not. The BBC World Service ran a piece on Obama openly wondering if his rhetoric is becoming a liability. I can't say as the BBC would be particularly partisan in this instance.

Ultimately, if there is this sense that Obama is all sizzle and no steak, it is certainly not the fault of the man himself. At this late stage of the primaries, the media has had every opportunity to give the guy a good shaking out. If the newsers feel Obama isn't forthright with specifics, it's their responsibility to ask the questions they'd like answered. There is little doubt Obama could answer them. He may be relatively new to the national political scene, but he is hardly a neophyte. More importantly, we all benefit when the candidates have their mettle fairly tested in the media glare.

The larger question going forward is: do specifics really matter? To quote Mike Tyson: the best fight plan in the world only lasts until you take the first punch in the face. Similarly, the best political ideas only last until you get them before a divided and ineffectual Congress.

Perhaps, more than specifics, we need a leader who can inspire people to pressure their reps to bend to the will of the new. What is rhetoric if not a call to action?

Perhaps that's a question someone would care to ask of Barack Obama.

Comments

[oligodendroglia]

no matter how hard anyone tries to deny it ... barry copied ... he stole those lines ...

once you see the video comparisons, there is no denying that he completely copied the speech ...

anyone that tries to excuse barry sounds like an ass-kissing fool with their head in the sand (hey ... i'm getting better at insulting others! ... thanks obamazoids ... i'm learning !)

[bujeeboo]

Did you hear the part of Clinton's closing comments yesterday where she used John Edwards' and Hubby Bill's words almost exactly?

She's a joke.

http://wonkette.com/359517/hillary-plagiarizes-john-edwards-bill-clinton

[vitasackvillewesttexas]

der. yea, he stole it from the guy who is a very good friend who shares campaign staff and TOLD HIM TO USE THE LINES. all you dummies who are so wrapped up in this seeing your candidate fall apart can't seem to grasp how these lines came together and you cannot admit hillary uses others lines as well - honestly, get a dictionary. she was very, very gracious at the debate. why don't you take a cue from her in that moment?

[jwpilcher]

YAWN! "Rhetoric. Specifics. Rhetoric. Specifics."

Got it. YAWN! How bout consistency? Judgment? Integrity? And the fact that Obama has not had to make a deal with the devil (lobbyists/interest groups) to fund his campaign? [Can you spell "internet"?]

Get over it Ridley...before you became a 'hater' you used to be pretty cool.

[anghiari]

It's can be a bit difficult in discerning Mr. Ridley's ongoing irritation at Senator Obama as a hissy fit. But believe me me that is exactly what it is. Methinks that however as a writer of fiction Mr. Ridley has taken his particular hissy fit and stretched into a 3 act play. I would love to introduce Mr. Ridley and Ms. Jong...perhaps he can find his sizzle and steak there. For the rest of us, Senator Obama brings the substance and that is all we were looking for this time.

[lemonv]

If Obama was not caught using Devals' "just words" speech, what would the people who heard this speech will think it?

They will think that it was Obama who thought of those and will surely make his stature as an inspirational speaker rise.

The MSM will then jump on this and say in unison about how Obama is such a speaker. The only thing wrong with this picture was Obama got caught and now has to do some damage control.

[nomobull]

this is like putting a match to wet wood. stop give it a rest there was never a story to begin with no matter how much you wish it was so.

[UNCLEJOE]

If I used the terms, "the only fear we have to fear is fear itself" or "Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country". I would be plagiarizing who? FDR? JFK?

"Give me Liberty or give me death'. "I have not yet begun to fight." Am I committing plagiarism?

Plagiarism has been extended to the rediculum by illiterate nincompoops. including the accusers and recipients who can't even explain the difference between quoting famous sayings and plagiarism that famous saying repeated are not plagiarism's;

[vitasackvillewesttexas]

thank you uncle joe - a refreshing analysis.

[darthmaul]

John, it looks like you are easing up on Obama a bit? All in all a very good article. Thanks!

[emmld]

A long, long time ago...(after the 2004 election). I decided that the best vote for me would be to vote for the youngest possible candidate I could find. (I am an independant) Why vote on one single issue? Because that is the way I have always voted...picked my most important life issue at that time, and then voted accordingly for the candidate that promised to fulfill that need.

[Mavin1620]

Using a phrase is not necessarily plagiarism -- would a rose by any other name smell as sweet? -- I don't need to credit it because there is a presumption of knowledge and recognition among the audience of that phrase.

Does everyone who says we need to get out of this endless war need to hunt down the first person who said we should get out of Iran, or the first person who called it an endless war?

This plagiarism card should be held back for use when its real. Pundits screaming about plagiarism is like a naked man complaining that a woman's skirt is too short.

[realpolitic]

Naked men can't complain, too?

[Uselessboy]

My you are one of the more _concerned_ writers I run into these days.

If I was that concerned I'd have to double my blood pressure meds.

Here's to Obama's obituary -- around 50 years from now.

[3Ons]

Just a few comments:

Firstly, he quoted, ver batim, another persons words, without attribution. That is plagiarism, a 'high crime and misdomeanor' before even taking an Oath of Office.

It's not 'soundbites' that were quoted. It's not 'common phrases.' It's stolen intellectual-concepts.

When Hillary Clinton pointed that out, kindly, she didn't scold him like the arrogant-ass he proved to be, she kindly pointed-out it's wrong.

And he rudely interrupted, grumbling, a snippety remark, proving zero integrity, unable to even admit his own petty thievery, and that's when the crowd BOO'd.

NOT AT HILLARY -- at him.

If you did it at work, you'd be instantly fired.

If you tried it as an author, you'd be jailed.

If your child did it in school, they'd be expelled.

Meanwhile, all we hear from that man are pre-memorized phrases, soundbites, 'feels-good' regurgitations, about 'belief' and 'hope' and 'faith,' as he establishes a state-sanctioned religion, his own. "Oh-bomb-us!" And his frenzied cult-styled fanatical followers, chant to this HighPriest.

And he's not saying anything. Just 'feel-good' stuff, proved to be stolen -- proved he'll do anything, violate everything, then say anything in the pathetic attempt to 'justify' the MEANness.

Secondly, in this election-cycle, if you vote for the 'white-guy,' you're a 'racist.' If you vote for the 'black-guy,' you're a 'mysogynyst.' If you vote for the woman, you're a 'man-hating racist.'

What a setup.

Vote "3Ons" as a write-in -- SEND A MESSAGE.

Kind Regards,.

[raptor]

Nurse, lithium, stat.

[wakeupeverybody]

30ns, it sounds like to me you have a lot of built up frustration and in need of some loving.

Lighten up, you have called Obama supporters every name in the book, if you are in love with Hillary, thats fine VOTE for her, but stop acting like a spoiled child.

If you stop for a minute and take those blinders off, you too will see the type of low-down dirty campaign that Hill is running.

There is an alternative candidate that you can vote for; McCain is presently on the ticket and shares your views concerning Obama. Hill is his friend (or so he wants you to believe), but if you will hold on until Sunday, Nader is considering announcing his bid.

If you really want to know what a racist look,sound and act like; take a look in the mirror,read your posting and rephase the rhetoric that you are spewing out of your mouth.

[naturesway]

You nailed Obama's whole problem. Lots and lots of words and probably all stolen. Nothing from his heart... His reaction to getting caught is very very telling. Mean and arrogant.
Not my president.

[chin075]

Ah, yes, indeed -- you named Obama's "problem". Meanwhile, in the actual universe you inhabit, McCain and Hillary are being seriously challenged by this candidate with a "problem". I'm sure his book The Audacity of Hope was plagiarized too; just a matter of time till we find out who really wrote it!!

[ltfcrazy]

There is no wound. No one has punched, kicked,perpetrated any violence whatsoever. Can the drama. Barack is what he is because he knows what he's doing and he's telling the truth. If you don't vote for him, you are in deep denial and like being lied to. He's our new front man and if you don't like it you should start your own band!

[godlessclif]

Who needs Obama.

Why not support a real black candidate for president who does not just talk about change.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2508693105235438933
Cynthia McKinney-2008 ... Green party candidate for President.

[vitasackvillewesttexas]

uh yea. that green party vote must feel real good in the morning.

[musicstreet]

I'm from and live in New Orleans, and I know first hand
what a smooth talking, charismatic politician will get you once they are elected. Absolutely nothing.(Don't) C. Ray
Nagin was elected and re-elected because he is African-American. Especially after Katrina, how could that be? He has been a no-show since his re-election, and the city and everyone in it suffers. In this town of Mardi Gras fame, I say to Obama, instead of "Throw me something, Mister", "Show me something, Mister."

[vitasackvillewesttexas]

before anybody can show you something, you have to open your eyes.

[Brutus1]

My eyes are wide open. I don't see anything. Apparently we need a microscope to see whatever it is you think everybody should be seeing.

[raptor]

Is the teleprompter insured against failure by Lloyds of London?

[desthmoneses]

Unforutnately not, during Bush's second year as president Cheney bought a policy on George Bush's teleprompting accuracy, Cheney made millions in the process and Lloyds dearly on this investment, since then speech accuracy is no longer insurable world wide.

[skyloss]

John Ridley: Will the Wound Heal?
Ridley, quit crying. Your frequent Obama hating posts are getting old. People who accuse Obama of a lack of substance, of having nothing but rhetoric backing him up should take a long hard look at what comes from the Hillary camp, especially lately. I have seen just as much pointed topic discussion from Barack as I have from Hillary when valid topics are actually being discussed. Lately all I hear from Hillary are one liners or spiels trying to tear Obama down, or say how it takes more than words to get things done. Well, okay then -- lets hear what Hillary has that is better than what Barack offers, instead of all these generalities and blah blah blah about Obama and how he doesnt measure up to her. If that were really the case, she could list specifics and would resonate with the voting majority the way Obama does.

[evekendall]

Exactly. What are HER specifics? Actually, they don't want to talk about hers because they know he has a better record. He also has better judgment, i.e. the Iraq war.

[naturesway]

and yet, no one can name a single bill Obama has ushered to law. Oops, because he hasn't. That's your record Obama.