http://twitter.com/#!/KellyO/status/243173839658442752

“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.”

— OFA (@OFA) 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.org (@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

— Rick Rucker (@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

— Cdub (@cdubontw) September 5, 2012

@juliancastro just totally copied Marco Rubio. What a fraud. #DNC2012

— Tami Nantz (@TamiNantz) September 5, 2012

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.

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2012/09/04/san-antonio-mayor-julian-castro-borrows-marco-rubios-rnc-speech/