Buzzfeed: Concerns Raised Over Plagiarism By Shannon Camp

Tea Party Favorite For Senate In Oklahoma Plagiarized From A Bunch Of Current Senators

by Andrew Kaczynski,  BuzzFeed Staff

Former Oklahoma House Speaker T.W. Shannon is vying for the Senate nomination in the Republican primary in Oklahoma. He’s the Tea Party favorite and endorsed by Sen. Ted Cruz and Sarah Palin, and is polling strongly in the state.

BuzzFeed has found two instances of Shannon copying language from Oklahoma’s current two senators. Tom Coburn, who Shannon is running to replace, as well as Sen. James Inhofe.

On national defense, a section is copied word-for-word from Inhofe’s page.

Here’s Inhofe: The greatest trust placed upon Congress by the American people is to provide for their security by maintaining a strong national defense.

And here’s Shannon: The greatest trust placed upon Congress by the American people is to provide for their security by maintaining a strong national defense.

Another section on energy independence is copied again, nearly word-for-word from Coburn’s Senate pages.

Here’s Coburn:

I believe the goal of ensuring U.S. energy independence is vital to our long-term national security. We can move toward this goal of maintaining sufficient, reliable domestic energy sources by opening up vast reserves off shore and on federal lands , while providing adequate protections for the environment, developing safer and more reliable nuclear energy, protecting marginal well production and pursuing the development of renewable energy. Coupling this strategy while removing regulatory barriers to the development of new technologies like coal gasification (a process that converts coal into diesel fuels) America can achieve energy independence. I am proud that Oklahoma has been a pioneer in creating the key aspects of new energy technology.

And here’s Shannon:

The goal of U.S. energy independence is critical to America’s long-term national security. We can move toward this goal by maintaining sufficient, reliable domestic energy sources, and by opening up vast reserves both offshore and on federal lands. With the right energy policies, Oklahoma can remain a leader in the development of new energy technology. I support moving forward to build the Keystone Pipeline. With increasing abundant energy being produced right here at home, it’s time to lift the federal law banning the exportation of our crude oil. Oklahoma stands to grow its economy if we free up the export market. Following the lead of Sen. Jim Inhofe, I will fight for a sound and effective energy policy and put an end to programs designed to pilfer the taxpayer in the name of environmental protection.

 

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