CNN has just reported that Scott Brown copied, word for word, a long, moving explanation from Elizabeth Dole of why she chose public service, from her website many years ago. Representatives of Dole said Brown's staff had permission to use her website as a template, however, it is embarassing, and a clear misrepresentation to claim that her personal story was his personal story. He did change her opening sentencing declaring that she was the daughter of her parents, so it wasn't really "totally inadvertent" was it?
The Brown campaign has taken it down, and claims this is much to do about nothing, however, to me it speaks to charactor -- or lack of it.
This could be a breakthrough for Elizabeth Warren, in her challenge to Brown to regain this important Massachusetts Senate seat once help by Senator Ted Kennedy.
Elizabeth Flock reports in the Washington Post Scott Brown accused of plagiarizing, following a long tradition of politicians accused of doing so. It appears that Brown lifted Dole's quote word for word, except taking out the phrase that he was the daughter of her parents.
The Washington Post quote:
Sen. Scott Brown talks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Drew Angerer - AP) Brown isn’t the first politician to be accused of lifting words, but he may be the first to have the following excuse, given to the Boston Globe via his spokesperson, John Donnelly:
Senator Dole's Web site served as one of the models for Senator Brown's Web site when he first took office. During construction of the site, the content on this particular page was inadvertently transferred without being rewritten.
Before being removed yesterday, Brown’s message to students, posted to his Web site, read:
I was raised to believe that there are no limits to individual achievement and no excuses to justify indifference. From an early age, I was taught that success is measured not in material accumulations, but in service to others. I was encouraged to join causes larger than myself, to pursue positive change through a sense of mission, and to stand up for what I believe.
The message had omitted an opening line that read “I am Mary and John Hanford’s daughter,” but were otherwise the exact same words as remarks delivered by Dole at her campaign kickoff in 2002.
It's hard to believe that a Senator wouldn't read his own personal statement of his official website.
2:51 PM PT: From the Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com/...
The matching language was disclosed by American Bridge 21st Century, a liberal “super PAC” that’s been scouring Republicans’ records ahead of next year’s elections.
“This kind of plagiarism makes me wonder how many things about Scott Brown are really genuine,” said Rodell Mollineau, president of American Bridge 21st Century.
He added: “The fact that he can’t come up with a personal values statement of his own, that he has to steal someone else’s, I think is very instructive of what kind of politician he is.”
Brown spokesman John Donnelly said the language was attributed to Brown in error,