Not a substantive/political matter but since mfm brought it up a couple of times, using someone’s rhetorical style against them is a potent and legitimate way of debating. Sure, the person against who it’s done doesn’t like it, but that is why it is so useful. They then need to engage in a more substantive and sincere way rather than relying on “schtick” to make their points.
In this case it just demonstrated a lack of creativity on his part, which is fine if he’s okay with that, but I was genuinely giving him good advice.