Local speech writer weighs in on plagiarism accusations

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ATLANTA — Within moments of giving the keynote speech for the first night of the Republican National Convention, accusations of plagiarism surfaced against Melania Trump, eclipsing her achievement in the latest stumble by the Trump campaign.

Critics are accusing Melania Trump of lifting parts of a speech by First Lady Michelle Obama made during the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Channel 2 political reporter Lori Geary spoke with a Republican strategist and speechwriter about the accusations and the campaign's response.

Trump's campaign has called these accusations absurd.

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Republican strategist Brian Robinson says if this had happened to a congressional aide or someone on staff for a governor, they would be fired.

“It's political malpractice,” is how Robinson described the now controversial keynote speech by Melania Trump. “I don't see how any rational person could listen side by side, particularly the extended version, that shows it goes on and on and on and not see there is some really heavy lifting from the Michelle Obama speech."

Trump's campaign manager adamantly denied accusations of plagiarism Tuesday.

“To say she lifted words from anybody is absurd,” Trump Campaign Manager Paul Mannefort said.

“When you deny the glaringly obvious it can eat away your credibility on other issues,” Robinson told Geary. “Pick your battles, tell us who wrote this speech and put it in her hands and fire them.”

Robinson, who wrote campaign speeches for Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, Gov. Nathan Deal and former Rep. Phil Gingrey, told Geary that Melania Trump missed an opportunity to tell a more personal side of her husband.

“In political speech writing, you've got to personalize it to the speaker,” Robinson said. “That's how you really speak to the audience about the kind of person you're talking about and it's also a great way to avoid plagiarism.”

Robinson also told Geary there are software programs you can use to avoid these problems. Those programs will more than likely be used going forward.