Rand Paul May Have Had His Own Writings Plagiarized

For more than a week Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has been fending off criticism for using the writings of others, unattributed, in his own speeches, in an opinion article and in one of his books.

But now it appears that Mr. Paul has also been the possible victim of literary larceny himself; he has apparently had his own material lifted without credit.

The campaign website of a Republican candidate for the United States Senate in North Carolina, Greg Brannon, who Mr. Paul supports, includes descriptions of various policy positions that match those of Mr. Paul’s 2010 campaign website word for word.

On monetary policy, Mr. Paul’s 2010 site, captured by the Internet archiving site “The Wayback Machine” read:

“With so much blame going around for the current financial crisis it is surprising that so few in the mainstream press have discussed the role of the Federal Reserve System. For too long the Federal Reserve has operated behind a shroud of mysteryâ€"as Senator I would make sure that all Americans understand the dangers of unsound monetary policy and shed light on this secretive organization.”

He promised, “As Senator I would make sure that the Federal Reserve is held accountable and restore transparency to our monetary system.”

Mr. Brannon’s 2013 campaign site reads:

“With so much blame going around for the current financial crisis, it is surprising that so few in the mainstream press have discussed the role of the Federal Reserve System. For too long the Federal Reserve has operated behind a shroud of mysteryâ€"as Senator I would make sure that all Americans understand the dangers of unsound monetary policy and shed light on this secretive organization.”

He promises, “As Senator I would make sure that the Federal Reserve is held accountable and restore transparency to our monetary system.”

On education, Mr. Paul’s 2010 site read:

“As the Federal Government has increased the size and budget of the Department of Education, test scores and scholastic performance have markedly dropped. More money, more bureaucracy, and more government intervention are eroding this nation’s educational standards. Meanwhile, home schooled children continue to excel as evidenced by their test scores and rapidly growing admission rate into some of the nation’s most prestigious educational institutions.”

Mr. Brannon’s 2013 site reads:

“As the Federal Government has increased the size and budget of the Department of Education, test scores and scholastic performance have markedly dropped. More money, more bureaucracy, and more government intervention are eroding this nation’s educational standards.

I also support the right of parents to educate their children as they see fit, including the right of homeschooling. Government-mandated curriculums and teaching methods do not properly account for different learning styles, leaving many children confused and falling short of their potential.

Meanwhile, home schooled children continue to excel as evidenced by their test scores and rapidly growing admission rate into some of the nation’s most prestigious educational institutions.”

And, on health care, the website of Mr. Paul, an ophthalmologist, read:

“As a doctor I have had first-hand experience with the vast problems facing health care in America.
Like other areas of the economy where the federal government wields its heavy hand, health care is over-regulated and in need of serious market reforms. As Senator, I would ensure that real free market principles are applied to fix this problem.”

The site of Mr. Brannon, an obstetrician, reads:

“As a doctor for more than twenty-five years, I have first-hand experience with the vast problems facing health care in America.

Like other areas of the economy where the federal government wields its heavy hand, health care is over-regulated and in need of serious market reforms.

As a Senator, I would vote to repeal the President’s plan to force families and individuals to purchase government-approved health insurance.”

The similarities between the two websites continue. Dr. Brannon is running in a Republican primary in North Carolina, the winner of which would seek to unseat Senator Kay Hagan, a Democrat, next year. Popular among adherents of the Tea Party movement, Dr. Brannon has modeled himself after Mr. Paul. Like Mr. Paul, he is a doctor who calls for a strict reading of the Constitution and the curtailment of federal powers.

Mr. Paul’s endorsement of him last month is advertised prominently on his campaign home page, with the headline, “Rand Stands with Brannon!”

A spokesman for Dr. Brannon did not respond to a emails about the similarities between the two sites Thursday, and Mr. Paul’s office had no comment.

Rand Paul May Have Had His Own Writings Plagiarized

For more than a week Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has been fending off criticism for using the writings of others, unattributed, in his own speeches, in an opinion article and in one of his books.

But now it appears that Mr. Paul has also been the possible victim of literary larceny himself; he has apparently had his own material lifted without credit.

The campaign website of a Republican candidate for the United States Senate in North Carolina, Greg Brannon, who Mr. Paul supports, includes descriptions of various policy positions that match those of Mr. Paul’s 2010 campaign website word for word.

On monetary policy, Mr. Paul’s 2010 site, captured by the Internet archiving site “The Wayback Machine” read:

“With so much blame going around for the current financial crisis it is surprising that so few in the mainstream press have discussed the role of the Federal Reserve System. For too long the Federal Reserve has operated behind a shroud of mysteryâ€"as Senator I would make sure that all Americans understand the dangers of unsound monetary policy and shed light on this secretive organization.”

He promised, “As Senator I would make sure that the Federal Reserve is held accountable and restore transparency to our monetary system.”

Mr. Brannon’s 2013 campaign site reads:

“With so much blame going around for the current financial crisis, it is surprising that so few in the mainstream press have discussed the role of the Federal Reserve System. For too long the Federal Reserve has operated behind a shroud of mysteryâ€"as Senator I would make sure that all Americans understand the dangers of unsound monetary policy and shed light on this secretive organization.”

He promises, “As Senator I would make sure that the Federal Reserve is held accountable and restore transparency to our monetary system.”

On education, Mr. Paul’s 2010 site read:

“As the Federal Government has increased the size and budget of the Department of Education, test scores and scholastic performance have markedly dropped. More money, more bureaucracy, and more government intervention are eroding this nation’s educational standards. Meanwhile, home schooled children continue to excel as evidenced by their test scores and rapidly growing admission rate into some of the nation’s most prestigious educational institutions.”

Mr. Brannon’s 2013 site reads:

“As the Federal Government has increased the size and budget of the Department of Education, test scores and scholastic performance have markedly dropped. More money, more bureaucracy, and more government intervention are eroding this nation’s educational standards.

I also support the right of parents to educate their children as they see fit, including the right of homeschooling. Government-mandated curriculums and teaching methods do not properly account for different learning styles, leaving many children confused and falling short of their potential.

Meanwhile, home schooled children continue to excel as evidenced by their test scores and rapidly growing admission rate into some of the nation’s most prestigious educational institutions.”

And, on health care, the website of Mr. Paul, an ophthalmologist, read:

“As a doctor I have had first-hand experience with the vast problems facing health care in America.
Like other areas of the economy where the federal government wields its heavy hand, health care is over-regulated and in need of serious market reforms. As Senator, I would ensure that real free market principles are applied to fix this problem.”

The site of Mr. Brannon, an obstetrician, reads:

“As a doctor for more than twenty-five years, I have first-hand experience with the vast problems facing health care in America.

Like other areas of the economy where the federal government wields its heavy hand, health care is over-regulated and in need of serious market reforms.

As a Senator, I would vote to repeal the President’s plan to force families and individuals to purchase government-approved health insurance.”

The similarities between the two websites continue. Dr. Brannon is running in a Republican primary in North Carolina, the winner of which would seek to unseat Senator Kay Hagan, a Democrat, next year. Popular among adherents of the Tea Party movement, Dr. Brannon has modeled himself after Mr. Paul. Like Mr. Paul, he is a doctor who calls for a strict reading of the Constitution and the curtailment of federal powers.

Mr. Paul’s endorsement of him last month is advertised prominently on his campaign home page, with the headline, “Rand Stands with Brannon!”

A spokesman for Dr. Brannon did not respond to a emails about the similarities between the two sites Thursday, and Mr. Paul’s office had no comment.