Joe the Plumber versus Senator Government

sailaway21 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008

Tonight's presidential debate was a strong showing by Senator McCain. Listening to the pundits and the Fox News undecided focus group afterwards makes me aware of the apparent fact that I am the only one within the US to think so. I do agree with those worthies that I thought McCain started strong but tailed off as the end, and that he failed to deliver a good follow up punch on the Ayers and abortion matters; areas of Obama weakness.

I think the Joe the Plumber references, coupled with Obama's inexplicable statement that, "we're going to spread the wealth around", were telling. I think they'll resonate with the American voter. I also am just a bit suspicious of the American voter buying the idea that we're going to give 95% of Americans a tax break, and balance the federal budget. That's the type of logic that sees me with a new kitchen and a Flicka next spring. Blow some more of that pixie dust my way!

Perhaps the best sound-bite was an actual slip by McCain in referring to Senator Obama as "Senator Government". Priceless.

I'm also wondering why I haven't seen this McCain earlier or more often. He actually is his own best advocate and I've seen little in his commercials of the nature of what I saw in the debate. Too bad.

In an election that was going to be nothing if not an uphill slog for the Republican candidate I suppose McCain is doing about as well as can be expected. I confess to cringing though, every time I hear him tout bipartisanship. I'm still waiting to see what that lofty and oh so noble consensus has ever accomplished worth mentioning. Well, OK, the Iraq War...you got me there. (g)

US27inKS · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008

I think if I were Joe the plumber, I would have had a few follow up questions for Senator Government. Questions like: Why is spoiling MY american dream by spreading MY hard earned wealth around to those who have not worked as hard to earn THEIR american dream good for America?

sailaway21 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008

Did you see the pictures of Joe the Plumber? He doesn't look like someone you want to mess with! I hope there are a lot of him out there who vote. If not, I suspect there will be a lot fewer of them out there in four years.

US27inKS · #4 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008

Yeah, I was thinking Joe wanted to whip his ass when Obama said he wanted to spread the wealth around.

sailaway21 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-16-2008

Here's Joe.
McCain Gives 'Joe the Plumber' Prominent Billing in Debate - FOXNews.com Elections

AdamLein · #6 (**permalink**) 10-16-2008

Some time later in the debate, Obama suggested that increased medicare spending would save money in the future because it would prevent disease. McCain's response *should* have been: "Medicare doesn't prevent diseases: Joe the Plumber does. Good pluming brings clean water into your house, takes contaminated water out, and heats your home, all the while minimizing heat loss and growth of mold: all things that contribute to healthier living. More plumbing means cleaner homes. More medicare means more expensive and lower quality care, and a reduction in the incentive to create personal wealth."

I'm disappointed in both candidates for not realizing this. I'm more disappointed in the republicans, who were traditionally supposed to support this sort of business, recognizing that they are in fact the core of not just our economy but our way of life.

I think the Joe the Plumber story did not resonate with most Americans, because it's a story everybody has heard before and it no longer rings true, because nobody is telling the *real* story behind what's going on here. Everybody hears, "Oh, Joe's business is making $250,000? I'm hurting a lot more than he is; maybe it is fair to spread the wealth around a bit." Nobody thinks, "Hm, I sure am glad I have clean plumbing. And a car that runs. And an electrical system that doesn't burn my house down. I'd better support the candidate that doesn't promise to punish the success of the business that provided all that (and then claim that they didn't want to punish them, but everybody needs to make sacrifices at a time like this)."

Joe, if you are reading this: I recommend you ask people whether they voted republican or democrat before you fix their plumbing. Don't support people who don't support you. Don't enable them to victimize you.

bubb2 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by US27inKS

I think if I were Joe the plumber, I would have had a few follow up questions for Senator Government. Questions like: Why is spoiling MY american dream by spreading MY hard earned wealth around to those who have not worked as hard to earn THEIR american dream good for America?

thats an easy one . I would rather cash my Obama check that make my living as a plumber.

Freesail99 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-16-2008

I just heard that Joe the plumber isn't really a plumber, as he doesn't have a plumbing license. Also his first name isn't Joe, I believe it is Sam.

PBzeer · #9 (**permalink**) 10-16-2008

The underlying premise of the whole issue is that Obama doesn't believe people can be successful in life without help from the government.

PBzeer · #10 (**permalink**) 10-16-2008

Free - I have to admit, I don't care who Joe is. That isn't what is important here. What is important is the outright assertion that Obama believes and intends to redistribute wealth.

He wasn't forced or tricked into saying this. It was his response to the question he was asked. Whether the person asking the question was somehow "legitimate" or not, is totally irrelevant to the answer given. In fact, the only reason to question the legitimacy of the asker, is to obscure the answer. The question itself is legitimate.