Echoing Edwards

Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign went on the attack this week, accusing Democratic rival Barack Obama of lifting part of a speech from one made by Massachusetts Gov. Deval L. Patrick, a friend and campaign adviser of Obama's. The Obama team struck back yesterday, saying that a passage Clinton used in a debate Thursday, which was widely acclaimed by the media and pundits as one of her best moments of the campaign, was borrowed from former presidential candidate John Edwards. Below are Clinton's comments and similar ones made by Edwards.

"Whatever happens, we're going to be fine. You know, we have strong support from our families and our friends. I just hope that we'll be able to say the same thing about the American people, and that's what this election should be about."

-- Clinton, Thursday's debate

"All of us are going to be just fine, no matter what happens in this election. But what's at stake is whether America is going to be fine."

-- Edwards, Dec. 13, 2007, debate

"All of us are going to be fine. The question is: Will America be fine?"

-- Edwards, Nov. 15, 2007, debate

"As a matter of fact, it's not about any of us. The truth is, when this election is over, I'm going to be fine. Senator Clinton is going to be fine. Senator Obama's going to be fine. The question is: Will America be fine?"

-- Edwards, Oct. 30, 2007, debate