Hillary doesn't like plagiarism unless she's doing it

While watching the two remaining Democratic candidates debate tonight in Texas, I think everyone was looking for the next big headline. And one thing stuck out above all the bickering and blatant disrespect of moderators.

Ever since the Clinton camp began to accuse Barack Obama of plagiarism, I have been pretty much cringing at every mention. In case you haven't heard, some really intrepid Clinton campaigner found similarities between a speech of Obama's and one of his friend and supporter, Deval Patrick.

In classes for almost my whole life I've been told that plagiarism is never excusable. That simply paraphrasing is even theft. But is Obama's speech a legitimate offense?

Maybe. But let he who is without sin cast the first stone or whatever. Hillary has used on multiple occasions Barack's catch-phrase "fired up and ready to go" as well as lifted entire portions of speeches from her husband.

So, tonight when the topic was brought up by the moderators, Obama responded
"The notion I had plagiarized from someone who is one of my national co-chairs who gave me the line and suggested I use it I think is silly," Obama said. "This is where we get into silly season in politics and people start getting discouraged about it."

Clinton responded "If your candidacy is going to be about words, they should be your own words. Lifting whole passages is not change you can believe in, it's change you can Xerox."

Anderson Cooper, in post-debate wrap up summed up my feelings and I think the feelings of many others.

"Good line. Wonder who gave her that one."