In a conference call, the Clinton campaign has unleashed its salvo of the day, accusing Obama of plagiarizing a 2006 speech from his friend Deval Patrick (see below), and of breaking a pledge he allegedly made last year to use public financing in a general election race with John McCain.
Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson: "...If you're asking the electorate to judge you on your promises and you break them, and on your rhetoric and you lift it there are fundamental questions that are raised about that campaign and that candidacy."
Time will tell how big an impact these attacks have with the general electorate. Obama did encourage the idea of public financing last year, before he turned into an Internet fundraising machine, and McCain is now concerned that he'll pull out. But the statements we've seen stopped short of a pledge. And, for what it's worth, Clinton has ruled out public financing -- so she's not necessary the best positioned person to attack Obama.
As for Patrick (above left), the Massachusetts governor hasn't complained, and the Obama campaign has kind of shrugged the plagiarism thing off. Obama, at a news conference, said maybe he should have credited Patrick for his speech, but: "I don’t think that is something that workers here are concerned about," and, "I really don’t think this is too big of a deal." (Politico)
Obama also noted that Clinton has stolen lines from him, such as:
Obama v. Patrick: