What Are Words For?

The Clinton campaign today is leaping to draw attention to the similarity between Barack Obama's rhetoric and words used by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick during his 2006 campaign. The two are friends and both have been advised by Democratic strategist David Axelrod. And both have at one time or another found themselves answering charges that they are long on speeches and short on policy proposals.

A clip being circulated on YouTube shows Obama and Patrick using similar phrases, mocking the charge that they are using "just words" by reciting the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, for example. In a conference call with reporters, the Clinton camp raised questions about Obama's use of the same words. Rep. Jim McGovern, a Democratic congressman from Massachusetts who is backing Clinton told reporters, "If you use somebody else's words or somebody else's idea, I believe you should credit them," according to The Swamp blog.

The Obama campaign countered by calling the charge "curious" and pointing reporters to instances in the past where Clinton has appropriated language and phrases from Obama. Clinton has in the past used Obama's signature phrase, "fired up and ready to go" – as has John McCain for that matter.

Patrick and Obama share more than a friendship and a consultant. The former is the first black ever elected governor of Massachusetts, the latter is trying to become the first ever elected president. Patrick's 2006 campaign in many ways can be seen as a test-run of Obama's national effort. Axelrod described the relationship to the New York Times. "They often riff off one another. They share a world view. … Both of them are effective speakers whose words tend to get requoted and arguments tend to be embraced widely."

What's next, controversy over McCain's "no new taxes" promise?