“My mother fought hard for civil rights so instead of a mop, I could hold this microphone,” said San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro in his DNC Convention speech.
To many Democrats, that line was the highlight of Castro’s speech:
Julian Castro: “My mother fought hard for civil rights so that instead of a mop, I could hold this microphone.”
— All On The Line (@allontheline) September 5, 2012
“My mother fought hard for civil rights so that instead of a mop, I could hold this microphone.” — San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro
— ThinkProgress (@thinkprogress) September 5, 2012
So many great lines from @JulianCastro. "She held a mop so I could hold a microphone." Amazing story #DNC2012 #Current2012
— Jennifer Granholm (@JenGranholm) September 5, 2012
"My mother fought hard so instead of a mop, I could hold this microphone." Julian Castro is awesome.
— Daily Kos (@dailykos) September 5, 2012
Julian Castro:"My mother fought hard for civil rights so instead of a mop, I could hold this mike."
— Katrina vandenHeuvel (@KatrinaNation) September 5, 2012
"My mother worked for civil rights so that instead of holding a mop I could hold this microphone" – San Antonio Mayor @JulianCastro #DNC2012
— MoveOn #BlackLivesMatter (@MoveOn) September 5, 2012
But to other observers, the line sounded awfully familiar:
Yep. RT @JamieJUGA: Julian Castro's line about his mom holding a mop was stolen straight from Marco Rubio, and it wasn't nearly as good.
— Katie Thompson (@KatieTThompson) September 5, 2012
Castro: "my grandmom held a mop so I could hold a microphone." That sounds familiar. Oh yeah, it's ripped off from Rubio. #DNC2012
— Dick J Zucker (@DickZucker) September 5, 2012
https://twitter.com/LockFive/status/243173168561418241
Julian Castro is a Marco Rubio wannabe, he even copycatted parts of his speech!! #tcot
— Mojo Risin (@cdubontw) September 5, 2012
https://twitter.com/TamiNantz/status/243173580274294784
Julian Castro literally copied Marco Rubio's entire speech
— JL (@LIEBitatthat) September 5, 2012
Compare for yourself:
“My mother fought hard for civil rights so instead of a mop, I could hold this microphone.” –Julián Castro
“A few years ago, I noticed a bartender behind the portable bar in the back of the ballroom. I remembered my father, who worked as many years as a banquet bartender. He was grateful for the work he had, but that’s not like he wanted for us. You see, he stood behind the [bar] all those years so that one day I could stand behind a podium, in the front of a room.” –Marco Rubio
Imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member