Since when has using phrases suggested by one's own supporters been grounds to call the truth in rhetoric squad and make a complaint?

What are the candidates supposed to do, sit in a vacuum, not talk to anyone for ideas on words/phrases?

What about all those speeches that are written by speech writers, particularly the speeches filled with lies? To take Bush, “I'm a uniter, not a divider,” “I'm a compassionate conservative,” “I believe in a humble foreign policy.” And let's not forget the whole Iraq war and the statements propagated by the Bushies.

If Hillary wanted to slam someone on rhetoric she could start by beginning with those politicians who intentionally (and in some case destructively) mislead the American people.

Hillary should focus on real dangers instead of making up non-existent slights.

Anyway, this “fire drill” will be good for Obama if he gets the Dem. nomination and goes up against the Republican smear machine.

Obama, Instead of trading barbs with Hillary, should say that lots of people, Dems and Republicans, including Hillary, Romney, McCain, borrow some of his ideas and phrases. He can go on to say that he considers it a compliment that so many different types of people borrow from him, and this is evidence that his appeal crosses party, gender and age lines. Obama can also add in that if Hillary wants to borrow his “change” slogan, that's fine with him. It just gets his message to more people. Not only would it remind people that “change” is his word, it also takes away some of Hillary's power when she campaigns (on “borrowed” slogans).

Lastly, if Obama wanted to really dig in deep (and cause a ruckus- I can just imagine Hillary's response), on the stump he could actually say, “Thank you” to Hillary Clinton for spreading his message and that he's glad he has already brought about some change.

Problem being – this was strike two.Strike one occurred a few weeks ago. In his Super Tuesday victory speech there was another unattributed “borrowed” phrase – “we are the ones we are waiting for…”-. That episode is again – by itself – understandable, explainable, not that egregious, not that meaningful. But…

Take both items together, and it looks like a pattern of speechifying without attribution. Obama is looking like a serial “borrower” as are many lovers of language, including more than a few bloggers. This is not really a problem, unless you are running for president – ask Joe Biden.

My take – This still has not risen to the level that it will cost him support. But..Does a different standard apply to a candidate for President? Ask Joe Biden. He learned that there is even a different standard for a Senatorial candidate. He was re-elected repeatedly, despite nothing having changed over the offenses that torpedoed his presidential campaign.

Like Joe Biden, Obama has used other people’s phrasing in speeches presented as if they were his own words.

Do either episodes meet the serious standard for a charge of “plagiarism”? No. Absolutely not. It didn’t in Biden’s case either.