A central passage in the stump speech Barack Obama has been giving in recent days -- aimed at convincing voters that his campaign is not just about lofty rhetoric -- is adapted from Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Obama's campaign acknowledged over the weekend.
Striking similarities between Obama's words and those of Patrick during his 2006 election campaign have raised eyebrows and attracted traffic on YouTube.
Responding to attacks from Democratic rival Sen. Hillary Clinton that he offers words while she offers action, Obama has been arguing that words matter.
Saturday night at a gala for the Wisconsin Democratic Party, Obama said to frequent applause, "Don't tell me words don't matter! 'I have a dream.' Just words. '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, just speeches!"
In 2006, Patrick, fending off attacks from his rival Kerry Healey, told a crowd, "Her dismissive point, and I hear it a lot from her staff, is all I have to offer is words. Just words. 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal' -- just words. 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."
Remember in school when you would copy someone else's work, change a few things up, and turn it in as your own, that you'd be in major trouble? This is basically what Barack Obama has done. But as much as I hate to say it, Hillary Clinton is right. She's finally pointing out something I've said for months: That Barack Obama is great at giving speeches and offering pretty words, but offering nothing in substance.
And the American people are falling for it.
During voting for key pieces of legislation, Barack Obama didn't vote. It's not that he voted "no" or "yes" on the issue, he just didn't vote. For example, during a key piece of legislation that would protect people from lawsuits who reasonably report suspicious activity, such as the "flying imam" issue, Obama didn't vote and the motion was rejected. In other words, when the American people needed protection, Obama didn't step up to the plate.
When Congress was voting on whether or not to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, Obama didn't vote. Oh, he claims it was wrong and he disagreed with it, but that was long after the fact. Obama was too busy running for President, rather than doing his current job.
Obama cannot be President and sidestep tough choices. It's simply not possible. Yes, sometimes a President makes choices and those choices have real consequences such as the death of another human being. But Obama needs to understand rather quickly that you want to be President, you HAVE to make these choices.
So yes, Obama, unless they are backed up by action, which you clearly haven't done, they are "just words".
Travis
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