'Change you can xerox'

Posted: Thursday, February 21, 2008 9:01 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
After Obama gave a pretty good answer on Words-gate, dismissing it as being given a line by one of his national campaign co-chairs, Clinton came back and said, words should be your own and then said that is not "change you can believe in" (Obama's slogan), that's "change you can xerox." That is a new one, but will that work? She's also now gone after him on health care again. Will that work?

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Comments

can someone PLEASE list 2 accomplishments of Hillary's?? Just 2?

Kim Starr (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 10:33 PM)

I thought they both did well, but I am troubled by Clinton's characterization of Obama's remarks as plagiarism. Candidates use each others' lines all the time. By her logic, didn't Clinton plagiarize John Edwards at the end of the debate when she said "we'll all be fine?"

Jim, Carbondale, IL (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 10:39 PM)

I thought they both did a good job, but I am troubled by Clinton's characterization of Obama's remarks as "plagiarism." By her logic, didn't she plagiarize John Edwards at the end when she said "no matter what, we'll all be fine?"

Jim, Carbondale, IL (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 10:45 PM)

"Change you can Xerox" sounded way too scripted and lame to me. Also, I don't get the pundits who say she "blew him away" at the end. She ended well, that doesn't mean she won the debate. She got booed after that ridiculous plagiarism accusation! People who win debates don't get booed! C'mon pundits, try to be a little fair.

Wha? (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 10:48 PM)

When is someone going to point out that Hillary is used to using other people's words without attribution? "It Takes a Village" was largely ghostwritten by Georgetown professor Barbara Feinman, but Hillary smallmindedly refused to give her any credit in the book.

Neil Kiley (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 10:56 PM)

Bravo Pat,

I'm from downstate and still can't figure out what
Hillary did besides run for President. It also amazes me that Obama got no votes in certain city districts. Now we find out he did in fact have quite a few votes which weren't counted, what did Bloomberg call it "FRAUD". Hillary fits well in the silly land where she has her ideas only, Obama hit that one with health care, these closed door meetings and petty insults are right up her alley. Sorry Hillary change we can trust is on the way.

YES WE CAN

Joe Staten Island NY (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 11:14 PM)

I wish she had said more about Obama's proclivity for not only using speech lines from others, but by also drawing comparisons between his campaign and his qualities with the efforts and qualities of those whose speeches he recites, as if in debate class. He is not MLK Jr., JFK Jr., Caesar Chavez or anyone else but Barack Obama. He needs to develop his own lines and his own story filled with life's experiences to back up those lines. That was the point of her comment and the campaign's criticism of his rhetoric-rich, practical experience-poor approach to this nomination. People may not like Hillary Clinton, but her experiences are for real, they are hers, and there is no doubt that her record speaks for itself. Obama's borrowed words and false comparisons to great Americans, on the other hand, is all that speaks for himself.

Trish Campie, Tucson, AZ. (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 11:25 PM)

He does use others words example from Tonight, Sen. Obama said: “In Youngstown, Ohio, I talked to workers who have seen their plants shipped overseas due to consequences of poor deals it's like NAFTA that have literally seen equipment unbolted from the floors of factories and shipped to China.” [CNN Univision Debate, 2/21/08]

John Kerry in 2004: “What does it mean in America today when Dave McCune, a steel worker I met in Canton, Ohio, saw his job sent overseas and the equipment in his factory literally unbolted, crated up, and shipped thousands of miles away along with that job?” [Kerry Remarks, Democratic Convention, 7/29/04

cheryl az (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 11:29 PM)

Funny... she bashes him on a line that his co-chair gave him and told him to use...

Then she closes with:

"All of us will be fine. What's at stake is whether America is going to be fine."

Which is what John Edwards said when he left the race.

BL, Cincinnati OH (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 11:32 PM)

Barrack wins the nomination, I stay home in November. I so agree with you Larry W. He's not ready to be President just yet. I like him, but he's gotten to big for his britches. He actually believe he can lead our powerful nation. I would also hate for him to be making life and death decisions. Oh wait! he probably won't have to because he will probably summon everyone to hold hands and sing "kumbaya". It would really be a shame if Hillary loses the nomination over someone who seems to speak an eloquent game. I pray to God for the sake of the country that he can deliver. I would hate to endure another Bush-like 4 years.That's why I will refuse to go vote for him. I don't want to feel responsible for what he does (or doesn't) to our country

Shannon Wade, Birmingham, Al (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 11:37 PM)

Obama seems to be only good at speeches. I have yet to hear more than rhetoric. To me those so called inspirational speeches after a while ring hollow because of lack of specifics. I think its naive to think that you will change 200 years of politics in one grand sweep. I still support Hillary who has actually participated in making change and learnt from both her successes and failures.

seema, north brunswick, nj (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 11:42 PM)

Just admit it Hillary-supporters! You don't want Hillary in the White House you want Bill Clinton back in the White House. Unfortunately, the rest of America doesn't want Bill living in the White House. Too visit,yes!

AJ, IL (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 11:42 PM)

After watching Obama's surrogate Kirk Watson on Hardball(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23261748#23261748) I feel that all Obama supporters should take a second look at his accomplishments. BTW State Government is quite different than the federal government. I feel strongly that the xerox comment was powerful. Obama is always bringing up heros of the past and it is annoying. Yes words matter but I think that actions to back words is more powerful. I don't need any presidential nominee to tell me that change is needed, I think all democrats agree. One more thing, would one of you Obama supporters tell me about this new type of politics you all talk about? Like this is some sort of revolution, lets see how Republicans think of that...

E. Berkeley,CA (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 11:44 PM)

The problem with Hillary's universal health care is that it does not require any insurance or Drug Company to reduced their cost not it mandate the provider to offer equal and reduced plan to every one and it lacks of uniformity across the board. The worst part of her plan is that if some one failed to buy that coverage because of the person can not afford to buy it, under her plan she will garnish the wages of that person as a penalty. Mandating health care coverage will choke our pocket along with rising cost of daily needs. The other part of the problem is she will never be able to bring enough people in to pass it through legislator and her plan will die like same way it failed in 90's.
As we know in order to advance any kind of reform, president must need to have majority of support in his/her side which is one of the Clinton's great disadvantages. She has no appeal to others to join with her to for a common goal.
On the other hand, Obama's plan does specify about bringing cost down so it become affordable to everyone. Any one in the right mind has no reason not to buy the most needed health coverage if they can afford it. Senator Obama is right on the money when he has addressed the main reason why people can not buy the health insurance. With rising cost of health care and drugs we have no option but to choose in between health and food.
We can not afford to live another 4 years with out real coverage.

MAMN (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:02 AM)

Did someone give her that line? Since Xerox was founded in 1970 let's try Richard M Nixon, she was way out of line because we all that she had the line in her head but she pulled it off very lame, Obama is either very lucky or she is an idiot could be both.

Terry Earle, Wallingford, VT (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:16 AM)

Surprisingly that line worked for me.

TR, El Paso TX (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:17 AM)

Senator Clinton's final touchy,feeley "We'll be fine blah, blah," comment was stolen from John Edwards!! He said it in more than one of the debates in which he participated. What kind of a phony hypocrite accuses someone of plagiarism, and "Change you Can Xerox" and then uses someone elses words as their own "Above the Fray" compassionate closing comment!

Greg, Buffalo, MN (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:22 AM)

That zerox comment was a dud. Especially after she repeated John Edwards at the end. Her comments about the crippled soldiers and the war and Mcains support and all that really irritated me because she voted for Bush take us to war. I thought Obama made very good points about his better judgement over Hillary's. And she again proved she is just pulling every political trick out of the bag to save her dying campaign with the zerox comment and later pulling the sympathy routine and how honored she was to be there with him bull. One more thing, why are so many Hillary supporters so blind to Obamas proven experience and legislative record? Why all this talk of his lack of substance? What greater experience does she have that he doesnt? I dont buy that argument. Have they really ever looked? Im more impressed with his than hers by far. All in all It was a decent debate. Obama looking better with time and Hillary looking like she's facing to calling it quits.

Daniel, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:43 AM)

The audience booed her 'xerox' attack.

Marbw (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 12:46 AM)

Aisha:

Turn off the caps lock key and just stop now. Your comments exemplify what the Clinton spin machine can do to brainwash the population. Not all "18 YR OLD SCHOOL BOYS AND SCHOOL GIRLS" solely rely on Youtube to learn about the issues. You have to give credit to the Obama campaign for motivating the youth to become actively involved in the political process. Just because Barack Obama is gifted in the art of public speaking does not in any way undermine his political potential. In his four years in the Senate, Senator Obama has helped pass many pieces of legislation.

Although you may not necessarily agree with Barack Obama, there's no reason to undermine his support by stating that they are all "YOUNG ADULT 18 YR OLDS" who do not care about the issues, and watch Youtube for "GOOD FEELING SPEECHES." Instead of jumping on the "Obama speaks purely in rhetoric" bandwagon, why don't you actually take the time to sit down and watch some of Senator Obama's speeches. Youtube is a wonderful tool to go about this, and I think we all are rather fortunate to have a tool unlike any other that can be used to further delve into the minds of the candidates. Never has a tool of this caliber been accessible to the general public for any Presidential Election. No matter how naive you may be, Obamamania has run wild. It would be best for the Democratic Party for Senator Clinton to graciously step down and help unite the fractured party. They need to ensure they are in the best position to take down John McCain if they do not want to see another four to eight years of disaster.

Robert Loveman, Mahwah, NJ (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:11 AM)

"Change you can xerox", that makes Hilary more presidential.

Huang Liuyi, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:14 AM)

Hillary was outstanding....Change you can XEROX... one line that will stand for ever. Less Hat More Cattle is another...She is creative.

I know JFK, JFK was a friend of mine. Obama you are NO JFK!

Kishan, Texas. (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:19 AM)

AISHA:
Try turning the Caps Lock key off. It's called SHOUTING and is considered bad manners by all those computer-savvy 18-year olds your trying to persuade to vote Hillary with that demeaning inference to one of their information medium preferences.

Ian (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:35 AM)

She did good in the debate. Confident and strong. WE see her as a strong formidable candidate against McCain. Obama wouldn't last agant the Repubs. They're already sharpening their ax. Anyway, the states that have been left out may not even vote in November out of spite. It seems like Latinos & Whites might just push her over the top. Dems need to stop the BS and work together on one ticket. But, the Veep should be Obama. He could get the nod for the following election. I like them both, but Hillary wins on several solid points.

Marcos, Austin, TX (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 1:42 AM)

I agree with the previous poster who said he supported Hillary but believed Obama will win the nomination.

It's so sad. People think Obama stands for change, but they don't understand where that change is expected to come from. People think Obama is riding the front of a movement, but they don't understand the nature of that movement. Wait until Obama has been in office a few years, and the expected change has not occurred. See what he says is the reason.

America is dying. I guess it's been sick for a long time. These are the death throes.

Mike Frazier (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 2:06 AM)

I don't believe this crap that Hillary has more experience. NO ONE has experience making difficult choices in the white house, Hillary doesn't have experience because she's never been president, and she never had to make choices like her husband...She will be EXACLTLY like her husband, and thats not change.

OBAMA, doesn't have experience, but neither did George Washington, Lincoln, or any other president for that matter.

all you people for hillary thinking experience matters are naive

Sam B, Seattle Wash (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 2:11 AM)

Ah c'mon, that was a good one, seriously. A rhetorical jab, sure. But Obama has a good sense of humor. He can take a joke. He got a couple of good ones in on her as well (that she thinks his supporters are delusional).

Since Barack is passionate about change, he felt personally slighted by her comment. This is understandable, and perhaps Clinton should have been more mindful of that. But are we so sensitive that we can't handle a little rhetorical banter? I thought "change you can xerox" was an appropriate enough rebuttal to "silly season," which was really funny in its own right. Campaign slogan wordplay is a classic rhetorical move, and I hope we can grant some leeway for showmanship, no matter what our political leanings.

Personally, I was more shocked by the audience's reaction. Audiences act as cues for our expectations. Cheers and jeers can color our perceptions, making a relatively benign comment seem malicious or a mediocre joke hilarious. This is why sitcoms have laugh tracks. If the audience didn't kick up such a big fuss, we probably wouldn't even be having this discussion.

Plus, ya gotta give it up for Hillary for recovering so nicely. She spoke with poise, compassion, and conviction throughout the debate. She also took care at the end to express her respect for Senator Obama, and I am not so cynical as to doubt her sincerity. The fact of the matter is that Hillary's saucy gibe was simply not received in the intended spirit, and for that we can blame only our fragile liberal gentility.

Eron, Fairfax, VA (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 6:50 AM)

It isn't just his words that he copies. Every one of his policy positions came out AFTER Edwards and Clinton had unveiled there. This guy is the biggest PR job since Ronald Reagan. He's not the Black JFK -- he's the Black Reagan -- all slogans and playing to your emotions, and attacking Washington. If Washington politics is so bad, why is he a US Senator, and what has he done in his admittedly short 3 years there to change the discourse? Other than projecting himself towards the Presidency? We just had 8 years of a guy people elected because he was more "likeable," but who was completely inexperienced for the job. If Obama gets the nomination, and somehow wins (which I doubt because the Repubs are not going to just roll over and drink the Kool Aid because of his eloquence) -- we're in for at least another 4 years of an "on the job" trainee.

Anna, Los Angeles, CA. (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 7:13 AM)

Oh! And isn't it supposed to be "photocopy" now?
Trademark legal kind of stuff?

Come on, Hillary, plagiarism is all you have? Especially when you are only exposing yourself? I think I'd look in the mirror a bit more often before you come out with an attack--be sure you aren't guilty of the same methodology.

ladydemocrat Annapolis MD (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 7:19 AM)

Hilliary, there you go again..."Change you can Xerox"...just didn't sound spontaneous...who wrote that for YOU? And did you give credit to your writer? Stop being tacky. Barack passed up several chances to nail you last night. Do the same.

Susan Wheeler (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 8:05 AM)

Clinton is ALWAYS portrayed as "tied to special interests" and "old-school" politics, which obviously ignores that SHE WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO TRY TO GIVE US UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE and her failure was the fault of Rebpublicans, not her own. For some reason, everyone blames her for trying.

Ask yourself this: If Clinton were an "insider" and so well supported by special interests, 1) Where is the money? Her campaign is struggling financially. Don't these powerful special interests want her to win, so they can promote their powerful agendas? and 2) Why is she hated so much by Republicans? They are supposedly backed by the same special interests and therefore should be on the same team, right? They should be happy to see a representative of their constituents gain the White House, right? THEIR HATRED BELIES THE CLAIM THAT HILLARY IS ANOTHER TOKEN POLITICIAN, BECAUSE THEY ARE DEATHLY AFRAID OF HER GAINING POWER. What's to be afraid of? Change, for a change? We might never know, since Republicans apparently are happier to see Obama as the nominee and are doing everything they can to help him, even including switching party affiliation for the primaries.

Ask yourself, why do Repblicans and their media machine (FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, NY1) love Obama? (Hint: The answer is NOT his dashing good looks.)

max, NYC (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 8:07 AM)

Senator Obama is right...any continued pursuit of plagiarism accusations is silly. Senator Clinton tried the "Change You Can Xerox" line and it landed like a turd in a punch bowl. The folks in Austin didn't want to hear it and she was booed for it.

She levels the plagiarism charge and then takes a line out of John Edwards' playbook at the end of the night? The lady doth protest too much, methinks.

Pete, Albany, NY (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 8:16 AM)

Sigh, the cult of Obama is so tiresome. The change you can Xerox approach is not the approach that I would have taken but it is a valid one. However, I am tired of Obama constantly saying that, “It’s a debate I’m happy to have.” Well, Hillary has brought up the “flaws” in his health plan several times but he still hasn’t given details on his own plan. Rather, he says that Hillary’s plan will fail because it will force people to purchase a plan they might not be able to afford and that his plan is better because people can opt out of health insurance. His attack ignores the fact that the basis of Hillary’s plan is providing cheap health coverage and that some people will not be able to afford it, but wouldn’t that be a potential downfall of his program as well? Also, his speech on judgment was laughable. Yes, Clinton has made a mistake but at least she is open about the fact that it was a mistake. On the other hand, we have a person who wants to pretend his judgment is perfect. Let us no forget that Obama will always have the honor of being one of the few presidential candidates to piss of a nation with his Pakistan comments. His vows were silly, stupid, immature, and as far as I know, he hasn’t held himself accountable for what he said. Obama is all talk and I’m sad that idealism is overpowering pragmatism in this race.

James, Killeen, TX (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 8:55 AM)

Brian - Hubbard Ohio,
How can he copy her plans when she is the last one to unveil them. Seems to me she waited a long time to put her copy of Edward's healthcare plan out there. I know you Clinton supporters like to rewrite history...but give me a break. It also seemed like she trying to remake herself into a populist (again borrowing from Edwards.) It is laughable that the only Democratic candidate who accepts lobbiest money is trying to say that she is for the everyday American ONLY! Oh I'm sure she'll throw a couple of bones to the middle class but on the whole it will business as usual. Maybe that should be business with a capital "B".

Ken Mesle (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 9:10 AM)

ha ha - yeah, my first reaction to that xerox comment was: i wonder if someone on her staff wrote that?

the way she spoke, she made it sound like she - and all other respectable politicians - write all their own speeches, and that is just not true. not even close. barack actually writes a lot more of his work than most others do.

the only thing he actually said that deval patrick also said was "just words?" - the rest of it was quotations from other famous presidents and political leaders.

Torrey, NYC (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 9:20 AM)

Just watch Hillary's immature reactions to anything Obama says. Just change the face,it could be McCain or Bush. That same I'm always right your wrong attitude. Look where that attitude has gotten us in eight years. As a life long republican who voted for Bush twice as the lesser of all evils I have switched to Independent so that I can help shape the primary in my state and give this country a chance for choice Obama vs. McCain. I lived in New York for 50 years and have seen the slimy Clinton process do absolutley nothing for New York.

ChoiceinOhEight,Charlotte,NC (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 9:22 AM)

"Change you can Xerox" -- Zing!

Seriously, Hillary?

Paulina Melvina, Chicago, IL (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 9:26 AM)

Xerox isn't just a copy capability. It's insulting that Hillary Clinton considers such a global company that does diverse document services and print solutions just a "copy company". Why does she demean the corporate world to just a verb? Obama calls for change - and even if he's wrong - at least he doesn't demean such a great company.

naveedsmind (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 9:45 AM)

Hillary is weak. If that was her intellectual attack. Sen. Obama's answer was and has been spot on. Plagerism is a term reserved for cases where intentional damage is inflected. This don't pass the smell test.

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 10:41 AM)

Do you really think Hillary came up with the Xerox line herself?
I'm betting one of her speech writers, came up with that line...I didn't hear her giving credit to anyone!
All of these politicians have professional writers to help them make their point, and have both quoted others on several occasions.
One should not throw stones when they live in a glass house!

Ashley, Chicago, IL (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 10:51 AM)

I think it is sad at this point for the people who insist Mr. Obama (Read: Mr President) has no experience. He addressed that very well last night.

I also find that this was a very good substantive spar by Obama. I think he detailed the differences between the health plans very well.

And while I'm rambling, the whole "I don't understand how he is going to make change" the changes are being made now!!! With the will of the american people behind him, the political gridlock we are facing will greatly diminish, as politico's will have to get on board, IN FEAR OF THIER JOBS. Obama wants policy debates on Cspan for all to see. Everyone can see their hometown senator attempting to shoot down health care.

How does re-election look now? The cahnges are already happening. Look around.

And when did the people of this great country become so cynical? As if a change for the better were impossible. Well let's just give up. insanity.

Ted Mitchell, Jackson MI (Sent Friday, February 22, 2008 2:35 PM)

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