Thursday, April 06, 2006

If Hillary Pinched Bill's Speech, Did Bill Pinch Ike's

A tempest has arisen over a speech in which Senator Hillary Clinton told a group earlier this week, "There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be fixed by what is right about America."

It is very like a line in President Bill Clinton's first Inaugural Address. Then he said, "There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America."

Says Rupert Cornwell:
Mrs Clinton's use of the phrase could have been a slip. Possibly, though, it was Hillary herself - one of the most influential first ladies in US history - who was author of the original line 13 years ago, which was then inserted into her husband's address.

But either way, one Clinton is starting to sound very much like another...
But, it struck me that both Clintons sounded an awful lot like another American political leader. Sure enough, a Google search yielded this quote from President Dwight Eisenhower:
There is nothing wrong with America that faith, love of freedom, intelligence, and energy of her citizens cannot cure.
Is this plagiarism? No. But it does display a motif in the rhetoric (and perhaps the thinking) of US politicians.

6 comments:

Deborah White said...

But knowing that Hillary is aiming for Eisenhower political territory makes me like her a lot better.

Mark Daniels said...

I like Ike...a lot!

Mark

Deborah White said...

Last summer, I read a memoir written by Eisenhower, and remembered again why I regard him as one of our great presidents. Make that two who like Ike! :)

Mark Daniels said...

Which of his books did you read, Deborah?

Mark

Deborah White said...

Mark, I don't remember. It recounted diary entries and thoughts from throughout his presidency and beyond. When at the local library this Wednesday, I'll look for the book and get back to you with the title.

Mark Daniels said...

Hmmm...The closest thing to that with which I'm familiar is 'At Ease,' which I've read several times. But your description doesn't sound like it.

Mark