Let’s hop in our time machine and go back to 2008, when, in the race for House District 101, charges of plagiarism were being bandied about. Back then, Republican incumbent Thomas Latham accused challenger Mike Anderson of stealing words that didn’t come from his own mind grapes. Latham said the words came Angie Chen Button, who was seeking the Republican nomination in House District 112. According to Latham, a mailer that Anderson sent out plagiarized a mailer that Button had sent out. You can read more about the dust-up here.
What you need to know, though, is that the guy accused of plagiarism, Mike Anderson, used a consulting firm out of Austin called Murphy Turner Associates. You can see Anderson’s finance report here. Murphy Turner put together Anderson’s mailer. If there was any plagiarizing going on, it was Murphy Turner doing it. (And you owe it to yourself to look at Murphy Turner’s site, because their angry-elephant logo is inspired.)
Now jump back in our time machine and return to present day. Did Stefani Carter plagiarize Barack Obama in her speech? I don’t know. But it seems the question ought to be directed to the consultants who helped her write that speech. That would be Murphy Turner Associates.
5 comments
Interesting observation.
Tim – love this post and the pub!
one thing to note though for your readers… The consulting firm for Angie Chen Button’s campaign was also none other than Murphy turner associates…we worked for both campaigns at the same time — so that kind of changes things in your analysis doesn’t it? And thanks for touting our logo at murphyturner.com – we like it too. Keep up the great work. Chris
If it wasn’t bad enough that Murphy Turner is the dirtiest consulting outfit in Texas, at least you would think they could come up with their own material.
Chris – so since you worked for both campaigns at the same time, does that mean you’re admitting to cranking out generic, template-style political mailers for your candidates? Based on the (big) money they pay you, I would think your clients deserve a little better than that.
Chris
Thanks for helping me get elected. You are the best in Texas.