Big Head DC has an interesting catch, with video evidence; I’m not sure “plagiarism” is the right word for it, but on February 16, 2008, Barack Obama does appear to have been rather “liberally inspired” by a 2006 speech by Deval Patrick: Obama Caught Plagiarizing 2006 Speech?

UPDATE at 2/18/08 11:03:09 am:

Obama says borrowed lines not a big deal.

NILES, Ohio - Sen. Barack Obama said Monday that he probably should have given his friend — the governor of Massachusetts — credit for using his lines over the weekend.

Howard Wolfson, a spokesman for Hillary Rodham Clinton accused Obama of plagiarizing Gov. Deval Patrick. Wolfson said that raises questions about the premise of Obama’s candidacy — his rhetorical skills.

Obama, D-Ill., says that’s going too far. He says he really doesn’t think it’s a big deal to use Patrick’s words because they share ideas all the time.