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HOH’s One-Minute Recess: Scott Brown’s Plagiarism Problem

Since imitation is the highest form of flattery, Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown (R) must have quite a thing for former Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.).

When Dole kicked off her campaign in 2002, she thanked her husband, Bob, her mother and the rest of her family (of which there are many) for their blessings on her campaign. Then she talked about other stuff (yada-yada). Then! She started to get a little bit campaigny. (If you know what we mean.)

“With your permission, I would like to dispense with the usual format and tell you as simply as I can why I am running for the United States Senate,” she told the crowd. “I am Mary and John Hanford’s daughter raised to believe there are no limits to individual achievement and no excuse to justify indifference.”

That’s pretty powerful stuff, someone on the Massachusetts Republican’s staff thought. You know who also thinks there are no limits to individual achievement and no excuse to justify indifference? Our boss. We should put this on his website! Funnest idea ever! High-fives!

So Brown, or his staff, decided to tell online visitors to the Student Resources section of his official website, as simply as he could, why students should become active in the democratic process by copying Dole’s campaign speech verbatim.

Probably no one in the Brown camp figured American Bridge, a Democratic super PAC, would put the time and resources into uncovering this bit of laziness, but welcome to campaign season, kids!

Also, a hint for the Brownies: Next time you rip off a former candidate, we suggest you chose one who has served more than just the one term.

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