Obama Plagiarism: They're Mad As Hell and They're Not Going to Take It Anymore

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Sure, I stole it. But isn't that the point? That's what it's there for.

Barack Obama uses a line or two from someone else and all of a sudden it's a big campaign story. But should it be a story at all? Plagiarism is such a fuzzy area. Just because someone once used it, doesn't mean it can't be used again. Ask Sylvester Stallone. Ask any network executive who ever pitched a sitcom idea. Do you think Gary Marshall said, "I call it Laverne & Shirley and it's an exact ripoff of I Love Lucy. Of course not. Why? Because it's American capitalism at its best. Oh, we may change a word or two, but since when is recycling bad. It's not stealing. It's protecting the environment.

The point is, we don't need less plagiarism. We need more. Certain phrases have said it better than it can be ever said again, so why settle on second best? Certainly we wouldn't want second best from our leaders.

Fool me once..... shame on... uhh... you can't....er...ummm....ya can't fool me again...

Imagine if something like that came out of the mouth of our Commander in Chief? It would be an insult to the American people, wouldn't it?

So, as the campaign marches on and one administration replaces another, let us bathe, not in the darkness of staid and weak phrasing, but in the glory of greatness. From the first announcement into the 2008 race to inauguration day 2009, I give you, political plagiarism at it's copy infringement best; how it could have been and can still be the most quoted campaign season ever. And if you don't like it, frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.

I see dead people.

-Candidates describing how they'll win Chicago.

I'll get you my pretty...and your little wife too.

-Clinton to Obama

You had me at hello.

-Oprah to Obama

Well, here's another fine mess you've gotten me into.

-Hillary to Bill

Here's Johnny!

-McCain's intro at the Republican Convention

This is for all the lonely people.

-Mike Gravel rationalizing his continued run

I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.

-McCain suggesting a cabinet post to Romney if he drops out

Shaken, not stirred.

-Dick Morris describing the enthusiasm in the Clinton camp.

Houston, we have a problem

-Clinton during Texas Primary

What if I say I'm not like the others.

-Ralph Nader considering another run

Listen to me, mister. You're my knight in shining armor. Don't you forget it. You're going to get back on that horse, and I'm going to be right behind you, holding on tight, and away we're gonna go, go, go!

-Mrs. Nader

All the world is a stage...Nothing can come of nothing

-Fred Thompson explaining why he entered the presidential race and why he quit.

Say hello to my little friend.

-Elizabeth Kucinich introducing her husband

I am big. It's the picture that got small.

-Dennis Kucinich

Plastics.

-Joe Biden describing how he was holding his campaign together.

Show me the money.

-Every candidate

Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.

-McCain agreeing to be a guest on Sean Hannity's show

Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

-Dick Cheney promoting the benefits of his last 6 years.

A plague on both your houses.

- Rush Limbaugh

Never interrupt your enemy when he's making a mistake.

-Obama referring to Bill Clinton

They're he-re.

-Hillary Clinton introducing her Super Delegates

You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been something, instead of a bum, which is what I am."

-Bill O'Reilly, during a moment of clarity, explaining why he thinks electing Clinton or Obama is dangerous for America

I'll have what she's having.

-Bill Clinton during Hillary Clinton swearing in.

Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

-George W. Bush at the Wailing Wall

Award-winning TV writer Steve Young is author of "Great Failures of the Extremely Successful" www.greatfailure.com

Comments

[Rule Of Law]

If he had used a line from the Gettysburg address would anyone scream plagiarism?

No.

So it's only plagiarism if the words come from a less well known source? How about a book someone likes and assumes many folks are familiar with but apparently are not, or a throw away line from the Simpsons? Or an uncredited source who works for them?

Anybody ever hear of speech writers? Every politician has them. When a candidate uses their words is it plagiarism if credit is not given, like--Hey, glad you all liked my speech, I didn't write it, by the way, just thought you should know.

No, this is about desperation and distraction. It's verbal swiftboating.

[Netty]

The ridiculous rhetoric about Michelle Obama's comment is insane! I am 75 years old, and this is the first time in my lifetime that I've REALLY been proud of my country - and I'm referring (as I'm sure she was) to the amazing election process. It shows REAL Democracy in action. Our voting turnout in America has been so pitiful, and now there is an amazing participation - especially amoung the young. What a proud moment for America !

[WHATEVER7]

Netty..I love you!

[sarainitaly]

Plagiarism: (google source)

stealing someone else's ideas and presenting them as your own.

is using another person's ideas or creative work without giving credit to that person.

presenting the words or ideas of someone else as your own without proper acknowledgement of the source.

using someone else’s words, thoughts, or work without giving proper credit.

Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s work as if it were your own, whether you mean to or not.

Reciting famous quotes is not plagiarism.

There is much difference between imitating a man and counterfeiting him.
~Benjamin Franklin

[grendl]

Oh, can I play?

" Get your stinking paws off me you damned dirty ape!"

- Mike Huckabee on evolution

" You'll shoot your eye out "

-Dick Cheney's wife

" You're going to need a bigger boat ".

Exxon accountants to their shareholders and CEOS

" It's not that easy being green "

- the GOP on global warming

" Somewhere over the rainbow "

-every Obama supporter.

" You're going to need a bigger boat "

-Karl Rove on how to swiftboat the democrats this time around.

"Klaatu barada nikto"

Dennis Kucinich to George Bush and the war machine

[afgail]

Plagerism is no big deal if your name is Obama. But, if your name is Hillary, it's a capital offense. It just depends on if your candidate has nothing but hot, borrowed rhetoric to commend him to the voters. Plagerism is a big deal when all there is is rhetoric. If the rhetoric is not even orginal to the orator all you have is an empty suit with a megaphone.

[PackyJ]

Wehn 'Omer Smote 'Is 'Bloomin' Lyre

by Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling

When 'Omer smote 'is bloomin' lyre,
He'd 'eard men sing by land an' sea;
An' what he thought 'e might require,
'E went an' took --the same as me!

The market-girls an' fishermen,
The shepherds an' the sailors, too,
They 'eard old songs turn up again,
But kep' it quiet -- same as you!

They knew 'e stole; 'e knew they knowed,
They didn't tell, nor make a fuss,
But winked at 'Omer down the road,
An' 'e winked back -- the same as us!

[KansasKowboy]

All this plagerism talk is just bull. Really what Oama said was the simplest way to make a point on the subject. He may have taken the comments from someone who said them earlier at a different time, but the explanation was the same. Both men where making a simple point and chose the fewest words to make that point. So whats the problem? And why can't Hillary use some of Bills campaign lines? If Hillary can't use Bill's old material who can?

[Dap]

The real facts be told when deciphering Senator Obama's rhetoric, especially when reciting other political giants words (Only words), IS the belief the orator has in the concept, the clear ideology behind the words being repeated.

Is it any ones claim, that Senator Obama does not believe in these ideals?

I THINK NOT!

To the contrary, Senator Obama is eloquently expressing his heart felt relationship to our basic American ideals.

I personally share his feelings, as do many other Americans, We, the People... Hold this *truth* to be self-evident.

[GDliberal]

Plagiarism from the campaign of a women that failed to give credit to the ghostwriter of her book - It Takes a Village
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Takes_a_Village#Ghostwriter_controversy
Both laughable and sad.

[trevor01]

I enjoyed this. Good work.

[hopeless277]

New Obama slogan:

I am rubber and Hill is glue...

[MPeter]

It just shows what a sorry and pathetic couple the Clintons and their gutter campaign has become. They are desperate, mean-spirited and polraizing. They could not care what happens to this country or the chances of the Democratic Party winning the WH. Bill and Hillary are such a disgrace. There is no bigger con than Bill; no greater opportunist than Hillary.