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If just one or two phrases repeated, I’d give him the benefit of the doubt and call it a coincidences…but 4 phrases repeated with the same cadence, tone and intonation?
I’ve posted before about how Obama uses old school “gold dust preacher” tricks to hypnotize crowds: steadily increasing volume of voice and music, steadily increasing his cadence, chanting/repeating the same words and phrases over and over and over, swaying, saying something very general that can apply to all then quickly saying specifics to grab different parts of the crowd and pull them in. If it gets really warm where he’s speaking, that’s another technique.
I’ve heard Hank Hanegraf talk about this when he talks about how cults work…it’s kind of like a semi-conscious (ie, awake) hypnotism.
Maybe Obama is studying speaking styles that work and forgot that he studied that guy.
JustTruth101 on February 17, 2008 at 8:27 PM
I thought Obama WAS Deval Patrick.
Farmer_Joe on February 17, 2008 at 8:32 PM
This is a pretty obvious lifting of Patrick’s speech, but it’s not clear that Obama himself was the one who did the lifting. I’m sure he has a number of speechwriters and other aides cranking this stuff out for him, and the most likely scenario is that one of them put it in. It would be interesting to know if there is any overlap between Patrick’s staff from 2006 and Obama’s staff this year. In any case, this is likely to be a serious embarrassment, if Hillary and/or McCain decide to make an issue out of it.
Patrick is an Obama supporter, so the link is fairly easy to make. But this will hurt his rep… when a candidacy is based on the words you speak, this sort of story can be devastating.
Vizzini on February 17, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Is an “I told you so” too much here?
TheBigOldDog on February 17, 2008 at 8:36 PM
I hope so, cause that would be bad. MmmKkk
ninjapirate on February 17, 2008 at 8:36 PM
BTW, just to repeat what I’ve already said here many time, word here in Boston is that Deval gets the AG slot of Obama wins.
Also, keep in mind, within weeks of being in office, the bllom came off the rose (even for the moonbats) and Deval had to basically go into hiding. No kidding.
TheBigOldDog on February 17, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Joe biden called Obama and told him “I feel your pain”
Obama replied “I heard that before but thanks I plan to use it !”
Somebody should do a call and answer parody of this in the style of the “Yes We Can” video. I’m not sure if there’s enough material, but someone more creative and audio/video inclined than myself could probably whip something up.
Someone should go to an Obama rally and see if he’s using any crowd manipulation techniques. There are so many glassy-eyed attendees, it’s freaky-weird.
JustTruth101 on February 17, 2008 at 8:48 PM
To begin with Deval’s speech was not all that original either, he was quoting famous speeches.
Did Deval Patrick’s version make a thrill go up Chris Matthews’ leg?
Mark1971 on February 17, 2008 at 9:24 PM
I believe that David Axelrod, Obama’s head campaign honcho, managed Deval Patrick’s gubernatorial campaign.
Seeing the formula implied in almost the identical manner by another candidate does emphasize just how canned and phony the whole shtick is. Notice the Patrick slogan on his campaign placards: “TOGETHER WE CAN.” Sound familiar?
Maybe this helps explain why Obama underperformed in Massachusetts. The electorate had already been sold this particular bill of goods once before.
I don’t think that Obama/Axelrod plagiarized Patrick/Axelrod. Axelrod’s association with Obama precedes his association with Patrick. The Patrick campaign looks more like a tryout for techniques and approaches that Obama has now “taken on the road.”
Y’know, I just realized what’s even choicer about this one: Even his response to being called a phony is phony. It’s phoniness squared. He falls back on canned lines to explain why he relies on canned lines.
No one will have the balls to challenge him on it, so who cares.
Dirthead on February 17, 2008 at 11:15 PM
No one will have the balls to challenge him on it, so who cares.
Dirthead on February 17, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Let me introduce you to the Clinton machine.
TheBigOldDog on February 17, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Great piece on Powerline about this. Sister Flute
In the context of Obama’s messianic appeal, the phenomenon seems to represent the return of Sister Flute from the gospel shows of yore. Gospel performers such as Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers routinely sought to elicit the appearance of Sister Flute in their audience. Describing the Stirrers at work, Daniel Wolff explains:
Five men in crisp white suits stand shoulder to shoulder, ready to go to work. In front of them is a single microphone. Their white suits and white shirts and white-tipped shoes shine so brightly that you can barely see their faces, but even so and even at a distance, the four men in the back are clearly older. They stand in a semi-circle, like a crescent moon, with the fifth–the youngster–in the middle.
The work they’re about to do is very precise: they are going to try to bring the divine spirit down into this room. And the measurement of their success is equally precise. Out beyond the microphone sits a congregation of eager people dressed nearly as sharply as the men on stage. Amongst them–amongst the extended families, the grandparents, the fidgety children, the adolescents eyeing each other from pew to pew–there are women of a certain age who go by the generic name of Sister Flute. If the men in the white suits do their job right, Sister Flute will start to moan. She may stand where she is and wave one hand in the air, or rock her head back till her broad brimmed Sunday hat threatens to drop off. And if the men are truly successful, if they shout the house, Sister Flute’s moans will turn to shrieks. Her legs will stiffen, and the heels of her best shoes will start to drum the floor, and, as the spirit gathers, she may collapse, or throw herself into the arms of the deacons, all the time shouting the praises of an almighty and present God.
a capella on February 17, 2008 at 11:26 PM
There was a defining moment in sports history; the awakening of a new great, one for the ages. Michael Jordan, young star of the Bulls and prolific scorer — with seconds remaining against the superior Cleveland Cavaliers in the deciding game in Cleveland — takes the inbounds pass, leaves defender Craign Ehlo on the ground, and drains the long jumper, ending the series.
The Cleveland fans — certain they had already won the game/series — sit in stunned silence. Jordan, euphoric, runs to the side court, jumps high in the air and screams “Go Home!” An unparalleled competitor is born, yes, but for me (Bulls fan) the best part of the story is the stunned I-can’t-catch-my-breath horror of the Cleveland fans.
Who will be the Michael Jordan who gets to crush the spirit of the supporters of this fraud Obama, and leave them gasping for their next breath? They have so overplayed this clown that he can’t help but pull a Wile E. Coyote and realize that he’s over the cliff. Next comes the anvil.
Jaibones on February 17, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Let me introduce you to the Clinton machine.
TheBigOldDog on February 17, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Sure, they will bring it up…but the Drive Bys will not let it stick to Teflon Barry. No legs here.
Dirthead on February 17, 2008 at 11:38 PM
Yes, he did!
It was idiotic coming from Cadillac Deval. The fact Obama’s trying it (and it’s working) is extremely sad.
And also Deval/Obama, I Have a Dream, the DoI, and We have nothing to fear” were backed up by actions, dynamic duo of empty-suits!
Talk is cheap Obama. How dare you call MLK’s body of work “just words.” They were much stronger: Words bascked by action, personal and political sacrifice, and even the ultimate price: life.
Your words are simply employed to win a presidential office.
This’ll get some time on Howie this afternoon. The Chump Line calls are probably already flooding in.
This thing’s almost custom made for The Chump Line: Deval Patrick, Obama, Obama ripping off Deval Patrick. All that’s missing is Mumbles and Ted Kennedy and you’d have a sort of Chump Line straight flush.
HELLO!?! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM!?!
SuperCool on February 18, 2008 at 7:04 AM
I have serious doubts as to whether this will have any real negative effect on Obama. If a substantial portion of Obama’s demographics are young people (18-34), there is a sizable proportion of them who do not think plagiarizing and other forms of cheating matter. I teach college students, and it is disheartening to see how many of them are willing to lie and cheat to get what they want. It only seems to become an issue to them when they are on the receiving end of it, and they won’t look at this as being on the receiving end, nor as any significant character defect (only racism, homophobia, and questioning global warming are character defects). I would love to be wrong about this, but people who can excuse a rapist in the White House can excuse anything.
DrMagnolias on February 18, 2008 at 7:39 AM
Who will be the Michael Jordan who gets to crush the spirit of the supporters of this fraud Obama, and leave them gasping for their next breath? They have so overplayed this clown that he can’t help but pull a Wile E. Coyote and realize that he’s over the cliff. Next comes the anvil.
Jaibones on February 17, 2008 at 11:32 PM
This was the best and most hopeful thing I’ve read in a long time. A perfect analogy that would resonate with so many people. I wish your entire comment was on the front page of Drudge. Email it to George Will or Mark Steyn. Tell them to use it with your blessings.
JiangxiDad on February 18, 2008 at 8:44 AM
To use language I haven’t used here before, “Holy S–t!”
I can’t believe how blatant a ripoff this is. It’s too bad that nobody on the left will ever hear of it, unless one of the networks does an “investigation” that ends with Deval Patrick solemnly stating that he is “flattered and pleased that Barack Obama would ‘reinterpret’ the theme of one of my speeches toward the goal of unifying this nation toward the change from its present course that is so needed today,” or some such blather.
Blowback
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Obama/Biden 2008?
Big S on February 17, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Obama “I have a teleprompter !”
William Amos on February 17, 2008 at 8:26 PM
If just one or two phrases repeated, I’d give him the benefit of the doubt and call it a coincidences…but 4 phrases repeated with the same cadence, tone and intonation?
I’ve posted before about how Obama uses old school “gold dust preacher” tricks to hypnotize crowds: steadily increasing volume of voice and music, steadily increasing his cadence, chanting/repeating the same words and phrases over and over and over, swaying, saying something very general that can apply to all then quickly saying specifics to grab different parts of the crowd and pull them in. If it gets really warm where he’s speaking, that’s another technique.
I’ve heard Hank Hanegraf talk about this when he talks about how cults work…it’s kind of like a semi-conscious (ie, awake) hypnotism.
Maybe Obama is studying speaking styles that work and forgot that he studied that guy.
JustTruth101 on February 17, 2008 at 8:27 PM
I thought Obama WAS Deval Patrick.
Farmer_Joe on February 17, 2008 at 8:32 PM
This is a pretty obvious lifting of Patrick’s speech, but it’s not clear that Obama himself was the one who did the lifting. I’m sure he has a number of speechwriters and other aides cranking this stuff out for him, and the most likely scenario is that one of them put it in. It would be interesting to know if there is any overlap between Patrick’s staff from 2006 and Obama’s staff this year. In any case, this is likely to be a serious embarrassment, if Hillary and/or McCain decide to make an issue out of it.
Big S on February 17, 2008 at 8:35 PM
Patrick is an Obama supporter, so the link is fairly easy to make. But this will hurt his rep… when a candidacy is based on the words you speak, this sort of story can be devastating.
Vizzini on February 17, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Is an “I told you so” too much here?
TheBigOldDog on February 17, 2008 at 8:36 PM
I hope so, cause that would be bad. MmmKkk
ninjapirate on February 17, 2008 at 8:36 PM
BTW, just to repeat what I’ve already said here many time, word here in Boston is that Deval gets the AG slot of Obama wins.
Also, keep in mind, within weeks of being in office, the bllom came off the rose (even for the moonbats) and Deval had to basically go into hiding. No kidding.
TheBigOldDog on February 17, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Joe biden called Obama and told him “I feel your pain”
Obama replied “I heard that before but thanks I plan to use it !”
William Amos on February 17, 2008 at 8:39 PM
I wonder of Barry O is a Troofer like some of Deval’s supporters?
JammieWearingFool on February 17, 2008 at 8:39 PM
It’s like rap or hip hop, he was just sampling.
BL@KBIRD on February 17, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Somebody should do a call and answer parody of this in the style of the “Yes We Can” video. I’m not sure if there’s enough material, but someone more creative and audio/video inclined than myself could probably whip something up.
Big S on February 17, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Someone should go to an Obama rally and see if he’s using any crowd manipulation techniques. There are so many glassy-eyed attendees, it’s freaky-weird.
JustTruth101 on February 17, 2008 at 8:48 PM
To begin with Deval’s speech was not all that original either, he was quoting famous speeches.
terryannonline on February 17, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Did Deval Patrick’s version make a thrill go up Chris Matthews’ leg?
Mark1971 on February 17, 2008 at 9:24 PM
I believe that David Axelrod, Obama’s head campaign honcho, managed Deval Patrick’s gubernatorial campaign.
Seeing the formula implied in almost the identical manner by another candidate does emphasize just how canned and phony the whole shtick is. Notice the Patrick slogan on his campaign placards: “TOGETHER WE CAN.” Sound familiar?
Maybe this helps explain why Obama underperformed in Massachusetts. The electorate had already been sold this particular bill of goods once before.
I don’t think that Obama/Axelrod plagiarized Patrick/Axelrod. Axelrod’s association with Obama precedes his association with Patrick. The Patrick campaign looks more like a tryout for techniques and approaches that Obama has now “taken on the road.”
CK MacLeod on February 17, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Same tailor, different empty suit.
fluffy on February 17, 2008 at 9:25 PM
(Dang – I hate it mistakes like the one I made above – I swear, I really do know the difference between “implied” and “applied.”)
CK MacLeod on February 17, 2008 at 9:27 PM
Check out the many different ways Obama presents and the press reports one of his signature GOTV routines.
http://obamamessiah.blogspot.com/2008/01/obama-to-disciples-you-will-experience.html
ninjapirate on February 17, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Obama has the same cadence & tone. He did the lifting.
jgapinoy on February 17, 2008 at 9:45 PM
From a comment on that site:
The Audacity of Plagiarism.
jgapinoy on February 17, 2008 at 9:47 PM
“Together we can” campaign slogan for Deval
“Yes we can” campaign slogan for Obama
Rod on February 17, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Sorry, no plagiarism there.
bluestater on February 17, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Y’know, I just realized what’s even choicer about this one: Even his response to being called a phony is phony. It’s phoniness squared. He falls back on canned lines to explain why he relies on canned lines.
This guy is really a piece of work – literally.
CK MacLeod on February 17, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Answer: Yes. Yes he did.
Troy Rasmussen on February 17, 2008 at 10:59 PM
No one will have the balls to challenge him on it, so who cares.
Dirthead on February 17, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Let me introduce you to the Clinton machine.
TheBigOldDog on February 17, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Great piece on Powerline about this. Sister Flute
a capella on February 17, 2008 at 11:26 PM
There was a defining moment in sports history; the awakening of a new great, one for the ages. Michael Jordan, young star of the Bulls and prolific scorer — with seconds remaining against the superior Cleveland Cavaliers in the deciding game in Cleveland — takes the inbounds pass, leaves defender Craign Ehlo on the ground, and drains the long jumper, ending the series.
The Cleveland fans — certain they had already won the game/series — sit in stunned silence. Jordan, euphoric, runs to the side court, jumps high in the air and screams “Go Home!” An unparalleled competitor is born, yes, but for me (Bulls fan) the best part of the story is the stunned I-can’t-catch-my-breath horror of the Cleveland fans.
Who will be the Michael Jordan who gets to crush the spirit of the supporters of this fraud Obama, and leave them gasping for their next breath? They have so overplayed this clown that he can’t help but pull a Wile E. Coyote and realize that he’s over the cliff. Next comes the anvil.
Jaibones on February 17, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Let me introduce you to the Clinton machine.
TheBigOldDog on February 17, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Sure, they will bring it up…but the Drive Bys will not let it stick to Teflon Barry. No legs here.
Dirthead on February 17, 2008 at 11:38 PM
Yes, he did!
It was idiotic coming from Cadillac Deval. The fact Obama’s trying it (and it’s working) is extremely sad.
BKennedy on February 18, 2008 at 4:45 AM
And also Deval/Obama, I Have a Dream, the DoI, and We have nothing to fear” were backed up by actions, dynamic duo of empty-suits!
Talk is cheap Obama. How dare you call MLK’s body of work “just words.” They were much stronger: Words bascked by action, personal and political sacrifice, and even the ultimate price: life.
Your words are simply employed to win a presidential office.
BKennedy on February 18, 2008 at 4:59 AM
This’ll get some time on Howie this afternoon. The Chump Line calls are probably already flooding in.
This thing’s almost custom made for The Chump Line: Deval Patrick, Obama, Obama ripping off Deval Patrick. All that’s missing is Mumbles and Ted Kennedy and you’d have a sort of Chump Line straight flush.
HELLO!?! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM!?!
SuperCool on February 18, 2008 at 7:04 AM
I have serious doubts as to whether this will have any real negative effect on Obama. If a substantial portion of Obama’s demographics are young people (18-34), there is a sizable proportion of them who do not think plagiarizing and other forms of cheating matter. I teach college students, and it is disheartening to see how many of them are willing to lie and cheat to get what they want. It only seems to become an issue to them when they are on the receiving end of it, and they won’t look at this as being on the receiving end, nor as any significant character defect (only racism, homophobia, and questioning global warming are character defects). I would love to be wrong about this, but people who can excuse a rapist in the White House can excuse anything.
DrMagnolias on February 18, 2008 at 7:39 AM
This was the best and most hopeful thing I’ve read in a long time. A perfect analogy that would resonate with so many people. I wish your entire comment was on the front page of Drudge. Email it to George Will or Mark Steyn. Tell them to use it with your blessings.
JiangxiDad on February 18, 2008 at 8:44 AM
To use language I haven’t used here before, “Holy S–t!”
I can’t believe how blatant a ripoff this is. It’s too bad that nobody on the left will ever hear of it, unless one of the networks does an “investigation” that ends with Deval Patrick solemnly stating that he is “flattered and pleased that Barack Obama would ‘reinterpret’ the theme of one of my speeches toward the goal of unifying this nation toward the change from its present course that is so needed today,” or some such blather.
Captain Scarlet on February 18, 2008 at 9:20 AM