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Barack Obama: Plagiarism

Navjot Hansra, Jeanette Jimenez, Roxanne Galdos, Cedric Adona

Period 6/7

Who?

Plagiarizer: Barack Obama Victim: Deval Patrick

Accuser: Hillary Clinton

What?

Barack Obama plagiarized Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s during his 2008 Presidential Campaign speech. He used words that had been in Governor Patrick’s 2006 speech.

When/Where?

Barack Obama delivered his plagiarized speech in Wisconsin on February 16, 2008 for his Presidential Campaign.

Why ?(was his speech

plagiarized)

“'We have nothing to fear, but fear itself,' … just words. 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.' Just words. … 'I have a dream' … just words.'”

-Deval Patrick

Obama took direct quotes from Patrick and included them in his speech.

How?(Did everyone react)

Hillary Clinton and her campaign took this chance to charge Obama with plagiarism.

Obama defended his speech, saying that Patrick

happened to be a good friend of his who

communicated many thoughts and ideas with

him.

The story had soon exploded across the nation,

but not before Governor Patrick appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America”

and supported Obama’s speech and the campaign’s

use of his words.

Obama still admitted his mistake and realized he

should have quoted Patrick. “He (Patrick) had suggested we use these lines. I thought

they were good lines. I’m sure I should have. Didn’t this

time.”

WORKS CITED

Bailey, Jonathan. "The Obama Plagiarism Scandal." Plagiarism Today. Plagiarism Today, 20 Feb. 2008.

Web. 28 Aug. 2012. <http://www.plagiarismtoday.com/2008/02/20/the-obama-plagiarism-scandal/>.

Ferri, Lisa, and Olivia Sterns. "Patrick: Plagiarism Accusation Against Obama 'Extravagant'" ABC

News. ABC News Network, 19 Feb. 2008. Web. 28 Aug. 2012.

<http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=4310143>.

Kane, Solly. "Obama Accused Of Plagiarism In Speech." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 11 Feb. 2009.

Web. 28 Aug. 2012. <http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-502323_162-3850012.html>.

Spillius, Alex. "Hillary Clinton Accuses Obama of Plagiarism." The Telegraph. The Telegraph, 18 Feb.

2008. Web. 28 Aug. 2012. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1579074/Hillary-Clinton-

accuses-Obama-of-plagiarism.html>.

U.S. News Staff. "Clinton Aides Push Plagiarism Charge." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 19

Feb. 2008. Web. 28 Aug. 2012. <http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/news-desk/2008/02/19/clinton-

aides-push-plagiarism-charge>.

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The End