There is no clearer sign of desperation in Hillary Clinton’s camp than last week’s plagiarism “scandal.” The accusations stem from a speech that Democratic frontrunner Barack Obama delivered to a Wisconsin audience on Feb. 16. Obama borrowed language from Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s 2006 campaign in order to respond to Senator Clinton’s assertions that his candidacy revolves around rhetoric, rather than results.
Patrick responded to similar accusations during his 2006 gubernational run:
“‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’ Just words? ‘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?”
It may seem suspect that Obama used the same speech sans the chronological order; however, it certainly is not plagiarism.
The disparities between the two speeches can be seen in the conclusion of Governor Patrick’s speech: “Let me say it before you do: I am no Dr. King, no President Kennedy, no FDR, no Thomas Jefferson.”
Patrick’s humility is what sets him apart from Obama’s embrace of the messianic campaign that he is running. Obama’s campaign focuses on the claim that he is the brothers Kennedy, Dr. King, FDR and Thomas Jefferson incarnate.
It is true, that the speeches that Obama — and Patrick — quoted are more than just words; they are part of our nation’s oral history. But the rhetoric that Obama has used to win ten straight primary victories and bury Hillary Clinton is a far cry from these historic speeches.
Let’s face it, “Yes we can” — even when a handful of celebrities add a tune to it — is just a bunch of words. Is Barack Obama a modern day Thomas Jefferson? Is “Yes we can” a modern day Declaration of Independence? No it isn’t. “Yes we can” could not express the founding principles of an aspiring nation. Obama’s campaign rhetoric does not convey any sort of political philosophy or policy stance — two features that distinguish Jefferson from Obama.
“Yes we can.” Just words — and empty ones at that.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s first Inaugural Address came during one of the darkest periods that this nation had ever seen. FDR calmed the nation when he said that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Roosevelt described this fear as, “nameless, unreasoning, unjustified,” which is ironic because those same words could be used to describe Obama’s rhetoric.
Roosevelt’s first inaugural address reassured the nation that recovery was achievable with the power of the American work ethic: “Happiness lies … in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. The joy and moral stimulation of work no longer must be forgotten … These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men.” Roosevelt emphasized that the American people could still be the masters of their own destiny; he still believed in the American spirit of hard work.
Barack Obama, on the other hand, campaigns on the idea that no failure can be attributed to individual fault. Lack of success can be excused by some mysterious aspect of "the system” — no one knows for sure what "the system" is, but it probably entails something along the lines of racism, sexism, ageism, classism and the like.
Obama wants to convince the American people that they cannot minister to themselves; they need to be ministered "unto" by his administration. When FDR said that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” he meant “yes, we can” overcome the obstacles we now face. When Obama said “yes, we can,” he really meant “yes, my government can” control your happiness.
“Yes we can.” Just words — and disingenuous ones at that.
Obama omitted one of Gov. Patrick’s original references in his rendition of “Just Words” — and for good reason. The most famous phrase from John F. Kennedy’s first inaugural address was noticeably absent from Obama’s speech.
Kennedy challenged the American people to “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” This is diametrically opposed to Barack Obama’s campaign message. The focal point of Obama’s campaign is his insistence that people ask only what their country can do for them. Kennedy challenged Americans to serve their nation and defend America against communism. Obama wants to replace the individual liberty that serves as the foundation of this
nation with the socialistic values that America defeated nearly two decades ago.
In that first speech, John F. Kennedy proclaimed: “let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
Barack Obama has issued similar proclamations to the global community. Yes, America will support any foe, by establishing friendly relations with nations that support terror because of the need for multilateralism. Yes, America will oppose any friend: Obama said that he would launch air strikes into Pakistan, a crucial ally, without their permission because of the need for unilateralism, presumably.
“Yes, we can.” Just words — and thoughtless ones at that.
Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream: racial equality. Barack Obama has a dream: to become president of the United States without representing anything real. I, too, have a dream: that the American people will wake up and realize that Obama really is nothing more than “just words.” I hope “we can” do it.
Bill McMorris is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences. He can be contacted at bmcmorris@cornellsun.com [1]. Heartless, Not Stupid appears alternate Wednesdays.
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