by Hanne Tidnam
Melania Trump’s on the hot seat for plagiarizing Michelle Obama’s convention speech in 2008—and the similarities are striking, to say the least.
But the reality is, Mrs. Trump’s speech is a giant patchwork quilt of all the obligatory, well worn tropes that have dotted First Lady (or Second Lady) convention speeches since they first began, from Eleanor Roosevelt in 1940, to Barbara Bush in 1992, and (of course) Michelle Obama.
After all, there are only so many ways to say “My dear husband is a dedicated father who cares about not only your kids but the military and uniting our country.”
Who will think of the children?
“One of the many causes dear to my heart is helping children.” — Melania Trump, 2016
“I want to talk to you about that love so deep only a mother can fathom it — the love we have for our children and our children’s children.” — Ann Romney, 2012
“Because we want our children — and all children in this nation — to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.” — Michelle Obama, 2008
“So I want to talk about the issue that I believe is most important for my own daughters, for all our families, and for our future: George’s work to protect our country and defeat terror so that all children can grow up in a more peaceful world.” — Laura Bush 2004
“I want to talk about what matters most in our lives and in our nation, children and families.” — Hillary Clinton, 1996
“As in our family, as in American families everywhere, the parents we’ve met are determined to teach their children integrity, strength, responsibility, courage, sharing, love of God and pride in being an American.” — Barbara Bush, 1992
Salute to the armed forces:
“The sacrifices made by our veterans are reminders to us of this. I would like to take this moment to recognize an amazing veteran, the great Senator Bob Dole. And let us thank all of our veterans in the arena today, and those across our great country.” — Melania Trump, 2016
“He’ a loving man with a big heart. I’ve seen tears as he’s hugged families who’ve lost loved ones. I’ve seen him return the salute of soldiers wounded in battle… He invites them to come visit us at the White House.” — Laura Bush, 2004
“We shared moments with the families where the father and, indeed, the mother were serving in the Persian Gulf and heard stories of how their neighbors saw to it that the family left at home was taken care of.” — Barbara Bush, 1992
“It was for this, that a million heroes fought and bled and died.” — Elizabeth Dole, 1996
The presidential sweetheart:
“When it comes to my husband, I will say that I am definitely biased, and for good reason.” — Melania Trump, 2016
“His name is Mitt Romney and you really should get to know him. I could tell you why I fell in love with him — he was tall, laughed a lot, was nervous — girls like that, it shows the guy’s a little intimidated — and he was nice to my parents but he was really glad when my parents weren’t around.” — Ann Romney, 2012
“He was still the guy who’d picked me up for our dates in a car that was so rusted out, I could actually see the pavement going by through a hole in the passenger side door…he was the guy whose proudest possession was a coffee table he’d found in a dumpster, and whose only pair of decent shoes was half a size too small.” — Michelle Obama, 2012
“I want to share a little bit more about Al and the life of our family in a way you may not have seen him before.” — Tipper Gore, 2000
The candidate as dad:
“His children have been cared for and mentored to the extent that even his adversaries admit they are an amazing testament to who he is as a man and a father.” — Melania Trump, 2016
“George and I always read to our girls — Dr. Seuss’ Hop on Pop was one of his favorites. George would lie on the floor and the girls would literally hop on pop, turning story time into a contact sport.” — Laura Bush, 2004
“… a loyal and loving and true husband and a magnificent father!” — Cindy McCain, 2008
“Bill was with me when Chelsea was born in the delivery room, in my hospital room and when we brought our baby daughter home…For Bill and me, there has been no experience more challenging, more rewarding and more humbling than raising our daughter. ” — Hillary Clinton, 1996
“I don’t believe that George ever had to punish the children. He had a quiet way of making them want to do right and give reverence to God.” — Barbara Bush, 1992
Uniters, all:
“As citizens of this great nation, it is kindness, love and compassion for each other that will bring us together — and keep us together….Let’s all come together in a national campaign like no other!” — Melania Trump, 2016
“He’ll achieve these goals the same way he always has — by bringing us together and reminding us how much we share and how alike we really are.” — Michelle Obama, 2008
“Together we can, once again, widen the circle of opportunity for all Americans. We can, once again, transcend our differences and divisions.” — Hillary Clinton, 1996
“In an era of rampant cynicism and indifference toward government, he is determined to bring civility to the public square and restore our pride in our leaders. Throughout his career, he has appealed to the best in people, bridging our differences rather than exploiting them.” — Elizabeth Dole, 1996
