Idaho Republican endorsed by Sarah Palin plagiarizes Obama's 'a brighter day will come' speech. Ouch.

So, like, where was his staff?

First, candidate Vaughn Ward, running in the Republican primary in Idaho's 1st Congressional District, was accused of "cribbing" his policy positions from other candidates' websites. According to the Spokane Spokesman-Review, Ward took language on tax relief from Kentucky Rep. Geoff Davis, on marriage from South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint and on healthcare from an Op-Ed article by Georgia Rep. Tom Price. At least they were all Republicans.

The stakes are pretty high here. Whoever wins the GOP primary gets to take on freshman Democrat Walt Minnick, elected in the Democratic wave of 2008 in a state that rarely sends anyone but Republicans to Washington.

Maybe the pressure was too much.

Whatever the cause, Ward now stands accused of plagiarizing one of the most famous speeches in political history -- Barack Obama's rousing address to the Democratic National Convention in 2004 -- the one that catapulted the Illinois lawmaker to the national political stage and then the presidency.

Take a look.

Ward's copycat behavior was brought to light by Boise businessman Lucas Brumbach. who is running for state Senate and whose website notes that "Lucas has been coating Boise with quality paint for several years, but promises there will be no whitewashing when elected senator."

With Idaho voters going to the polls Tuesday, even Sarah Palin's endorsement may not save Ward.

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo: Vaughn Ward greets supporters after he announced his candidacy in Idaho Capitol rotunda in February. Credit: Katherine Jones / Idaho Statesman / Associated Press

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Comments

[daniel]

Nothing new here. What Repugnatan has come up with an original idea in the last 20 years? Their most original idea of the last 2 years came from Groucho Marx... "Whatever it is, I'm against it!"

[Uncle Bernie]

It is most certainly NOT one of the most famous speeches in history, unless you are a democrat.

[Aunt Bernadette]

It most certainly is one of the most famous speeches in history, unless you are a republican.

[Josh Painter]

Not that its any excuse, but don't you think it would be a least fair to mention that Baumbach is one of Raul Labrodor's most vocal supporters? labrador is Ward's opponent in the GOP primary.

- JP

[New Jersey Girl]

So a republican expects to get elected in a stalwart republican state by plagerizing and imitating the so-called "Secret Kenyan Socialist Fascist Nazi Anti-Gun pro-gay pro-death panel tree hugging messiah President"???

Sheesh, the right has completely lost it's mind.