On national TV, Patrick calls plagiarism charge against Obama 'extravagant'

Governor Deval Patrick went on national TV yesterday to defend Barack Obama against charges that the Democratic presidential hopeful plagiarized Patrick. Patrick said on ABC's "Good Morning America" that the allegations were an unfair attempt to "belittle" Obama's "ability to motivate people."

The governor and Illinois senator have long shared similar principles and policies, Patrick has stumped for Obama, and Obama has borrowed rhetoric from his friend. The issue arose again over the weekend at a Democratic Party event in Wisconsin when Obama - taking the stage after Hillary Clinton said she offered solutions, not just speeches - used similar language about the power of words as Patrick did in a 2006 speech. They both quoted Martin Luther King Jr., the Declaration of Independence, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt to argue that words can influence history.

Clinton told reporters Monday that, "If your whole candidacy is about words, they should be your words." Representative James McGovern of Massachusetts, a Clinton backer, told reporters that the country deserved a president who was "not just someone who can copy someone's homework."

Obama has downplayed the issue, though acknowledging he should have credited Patrick.

Patrick also sought yesterday to lower the volume on the issue, calling the plagiarism allegation "an elaborate charge and an extravagant one."

FOON RHEE

Senator Hillary Clinton raised $15 million in the first 15 days of this month - more than she did in all of January, her campaign said yesterday.

Howard Wolfson, a top campaign adviser, said the New York senator raised about $1 million a day during the first half of this month. Clinton raised about $13 million in January and lent her campaign an additional $5 million. January finance figures are to be submitted to the Federal Election Commission today.

"The extraordinary grass-roots response to the news of Senator Clinton's loan has really been an important moment in this campaign," Wolfson said in a conference call with reporters.

Senator Barack Obama raised $32 million last month, most of it online, his campaign said.

BLOOMBERG

Two would-be first ladies seemed to enter the fray, as Cindy McCain, wife of John McCain, appeared to question the patriotism of Michelle Obama, wife of Barack Obama.

In Wisconsin yesterday, Cindy McCain said: "I'm proud of my country, I don't know about you, if you heard those words earlier. I'm very proud of my country."

She appeared to be making a reference to Michelle Obama's comment on Monday in Milwaukee: "Let me tell you, for the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country. Not just because Barack is doing well, but I think people are hungry for change."

Asked by reporters whether Cindy McCain was referring to that remark, McCain said: "I don't think we have any comment on that." Cindy McCain added, "I just wanted to make the statement that I have, and always will be, proud of my country."

ASSOCIATED PRESS