Posted on 10/15/2008 9:32:16 PM PDT by freespirited
The star of the final presidential debate was Joe Wurzelbacher, aka "Joe the Plumber." John McCain mentioned Wurzelbacher tonight shortly after the debate began, and both he and Obama said his name more than 25 times during the 90-minute debate. How many times did the word Iraq come up? Six. How many times was the word economy used? 16.
So, what makes Joe the Plumber so special? Well, Obama met Wurzelbacher on Sunday, just shortly after landing in Toledo, Ohio. Before heading to his hotel for an intensive two days of debate prep, the campaign organized a quick stop in Holland, Ohio. The plan was for Obama to walk down Shrewsbury Street, knock on doors, and ask people to vote. For all intents and purposes, it was a photo op.
But then Joe came into the picture, a burly, middle-aged guy with a goatee, who approached Obama and asked him if he believes in the American dream. He proceeded to tell Obama that, after working as a plumber for 15 years, he is going to purchase his own business. The catch was that the business was worth more than $250,000 and Joe asked if he would be taxed more under Obama’s plan.
"I'm being taxed more and more for fulfilling the American Dream,” he said to Obama.
While Obama made several attempts to explain his tax plan, the bottom line was always that Joe would suffer from increased taxes.
“I’m gonna cut taxes a little bit more for the folks who are most in need and for the 5% of the folks who are doing very well - even though they’ve been working hard and I appreciate that – I just want to make sure they’re paying a little bit more in order to pay for those other tax cuts,” Obama told Joe.
“It’s not that I want to punish your success – I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you – that they’ve got a chance at success too.”
Obama left the neighborhood right after the conversation with Joe, admitting that the conversation was good practice for the debate. Little did he know that this chance encounter was going to be the main flashpoint tonight.
I don’t know about that, but Mike Huckabee has him, this weekend.
They edited out the “spread the wealth” line.
What Joe the Plumber and Joe 6 Pack Want
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EjaQAa_rks
I way don’t agree with that! But that’s they want, IMO, and that’s what they’re getting in politics from the boob tube culture now.
Gee. SeeBS left out the ‘spread the wealth’ comment by Obama. Intentional?? Of course!
Yes they did. Good catch!
I’m sure some drive-by’s will do an investigative research on Joe The Plummer and we’ll find out that he maybe got a wreckless driving charge 20 years ago. Or maybe they’ll find out that he’s pro-life or heaven forbid he’s one of those nuts who actually believes the Bible.
CBS left out a line..didnt he actually say to spread it around?
Notice how this article does not quote Obama’s statement to Joe that he wanted to “spread the wealth”.
I do think that McCain should be driving this particular soundbite home until the end of the campaign. Not as the only issue of course, but as a key theme.
Those of a certain age from Michigan will recall how John Engler upset incumbent Jim Blanchard. One of the key turning points was an ad pointing out that Blanchard’s property tax plan would provide a nickel a week in savings per person.
By Election Day everyone was thinking about the nickel (even though other issues were raised as well). Similarly, by 11/4/08 everyone should have the plumber in mind when they go into the voting booth.
bet obamao wishes he never saw the guy!
The didn't edit it out. They left it out because they didn't understand it's relevance. To CBS, saying we need to "spread the wealth" is like saying "the sky is blue."
ich bin joe die plumber.
Of course. This is SOP for the MSM ... leave out Bambi’s most incriminating statement. “It’s good when you spread the wealth around.”
I hope to GOD that Joe bring that asswipe down. It could turn out to be the gaffe he didn’t count on making. Numbers, numbers, numbers, kicking, punching, words, words, words and media spin, bullshit from Obama, and now this. Thank you Lord. This could do it, cause now we have a real live American whose gonna stick it to you and but good.
The work-camps are going to need a plumber. Poor Joe needs to make himself scarce come Obama inauguration day. He’ll be the first “evil capitalist” they come for.
My very first thought was is the whole quote there? I scanned the story quickly to see if they did.
I fully expected them to edit it.
CBS what a predictable liberal joke of a network.
Joe the Plumber will thankfully be rewarded for being a really great guy and speaking his mind, the truth.
Look at the free publicity. No one can afford to buy what he is getting just for being a straight up guy.
Good for you, Joe. I hope the publicity brings you a lot of business. You deserve it.
Good guys really do win after all.
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