The attacks on Obama by Senators Clinton and McCain are an ominous sign that the campaign may go negative. But accusations of plagiarism are unlikely to stop Obama’s juggernaut, as the electorate loathes “the same old things” and welcomes change.

Plagiarism in politics is not so much a big deal as in academics or journalism. Many politicians, including Obama, say “I have a dream” without attribution. So are such sayings as “all men are created equal,” or “the worst fear is the fear itself.”

In Taiwan, the hottest issue in the coming presidential election is “referendum on U.N. entry.” This is the brainchild of the President Chen Shui-bian’s Democratic Progressive Party. But the opposition Kuomintang co-opted it. Neither Chen or the DPP has charged the KMT for theft. On the other hand, the KMT did not accuse the DPP for co-option of its tax cut idea. Plagiarism, especially in election campaigns, should best be ignored, because, as President Chen once asked in his trademark question: “Is it so serious?”

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