Harper plagiarizes Harris Speech?

It's not so much the plagiarizing of the speech as what was taken and from whom. Mike Harris is not the sort of leader Canada as a whole needs -- any more than Canada needs a John Howard Prime Minister. Still, in fairness I don't suppose anyone who gives a lot of public addresses is completely free of echoing earlier speeches -- but gosh, make a better choice as to who to steal from!

Harper accused of plagiarizing Harris speech

For the second time in five days, Liberals are accusing Conservative Leader Stephen Harper of plagiarism.

In a press release issued by the Liberals, Ottawa-South candidate David McGuinty accuses Harper of copying a speech given by former Ontario Premier Mike Harris in 2002.

The press release compares the speaking notes used by Harris on December 4, 2002, which are posted on the website of the Montreal Economic Institute:

"Thinking about things from a new and different perspective is never easy. It takes courage, conviction and the strength to know that in taking a new and innovative course, you are making change for the better. Genuine leaders are the ones who do the right thing."

Two months later, on February 19, 2003, Harper gave a similar address in the House of Commons in response to the Liberal budget:

"Thinking about things from a new and different perspective is not about reading the polls and having focus group tests. It is never easy because it takes courage, conviction and the strength to know that taking a new and innovative course is going to make change for the better. Genuine leaders are the ones who do the right thing."

The new allegations come just days after a campaign worker for the Conservatives resigned after admitting he used parts of a speech from then-Australian prime minister John Howard in a 2003 speech for then-opposition leader Stephen Harper.