McCain to Obama: Lay off Joe the Plumber
posted at 3:53 pm on October 17, 2008 by Allahpundit
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“Americans ought to be able to ask Senator Obama tough questions without being smeared and targeted with political attacks,” says Maverick, speaking for every conservative in America. Has The One’s campaign formally attacked J the P, though? I’d be shocked if they have, as that’s not their M.O. They like to leave the nastiest stuff, particularly in the racial vein, for their surrogates and for the media so that St. Barack can keep his hands clean. I assume Maverick’s accusing them of feeding oppo research on Wurzelbacher’s tax liens, etc, to the press under the radar, but even there I’m skeptical. Anyone think our very impartial media wasn’t willing to go dumpster diving on its own here?
Exit quotation: “Plunge the crap out of Washington.”
Update: A good point’s being raised in the comments that I should have mentioned myself. Given all the whining being done about Palin’s supposed failure to condemn viciousness at her rallies, why hasn’t The One politely asked the media to refrain from tearing a guy to pieces who had the temerity to ask him a question? Why is he content to let this go on? And yes, that’s a rhetorical question.
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Joe the Plumber = the catalyst that wins this election for us.
carbon_footprint on October 17, 2008 at 3:54 PM
AP:
Obama’s recent speech on Fox
Obama: hey Joe, how’s business?
Also both Obama and Biden have been saying stuff like “how many plumbers you know make $250K?” it’s a very direct attack.
YellowDawg on October 17, 2008 at 3:55 PM
lieberman has the biggest melon, ever.
lorien1973 on October 17, 2008 at 3:55 PM
TOUGH questions? How was Joe’s question “tough”?!
How about just asking basic policy questions?
Skywise on October 17, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Joe the Plumber = the iceberg that sank ObamaTitanic
ManlyRash on October 17, 2008 at 3:56 PM
There will be no questions.
Any questions?
Bishop on October 17, 2008 at 3:57 PM
How about just asking questions in general? Seems like Senator Government would rather us just lie down quietly and form a nice little human bridge to the White House for him.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 17, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Allahpundit: even you should know Osama Obama’s routine by now. His aides do research and coordinate the MSM’s Obama Talking Points coverage. The Messiah Himself only lays down lightweight snark (”you know any plumbers makin’ $250,000 a year?”). He is above the fray.
MrScribbler on October 17, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Looks like Joe has beaten Mario and Luigi for the Ultimate Plumber title.
Pasalubong on October 17, 2008 at 3:57 PM
I feel like all these Joe the Plumber attacks are just like the initial Sarah Palin hate. (Is that her child, or her daughter’s???) Should be good for another few points to McCain if they keep up.
kc8ukw on October 17, 2008 at 3:57 PM
How come the MSM is concentrating on OBAMA’s ANSWER????
originalpechanga on October 17, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Maybe not so much Joe as the despicable actions of the Obama squadroni.
DrSteve on October 17, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Has the Obama campaign directly attacked Joe? Yes, categorically – you even have video of Joe Biden going off on “no plumber I know makes $250k; Joe the this, Joe the that, etc”.
Yeah, they’re hands are directly dirty, imo.
Midas on October 17, 2008 at 3:58 PM
And thats because sh#t run downhill!
canopfor on October 17, 2008 at 3:58 PM
BTW: It wasn’t “Joe’s” question that will — I hope — torpedo U-Osama Obama. It was the “spread the wealth comment from The Messiah Himself.
Anyone who listens knows what the slimy creep stands for now.
MrScribbler on October 17, 2008 at 3:59 PM
LOL :). Joe the Plumber for Congress!
Illinidiva on October 17, 2008 at 3:59 PM
I’m buying a new mattress and removing the stuffing.
Kini on October 17, 2008 at 4:00 PM
I love the plunger brigade! Maybe I will go down to the Arch this weekend w/plunger in hand, so I may heckle Senator Gubment about his horrible tax proposals!
JAM on October 17, 2008 at 4:00 PM
A microcosm of the world we live in, Mac defending a regular Joe against the Obammunist.
Tony737 on October 17, 2008 at 4:01 PM
I think McCain can make this stick. It doesn’t matter if it comes from the media if most people think the media is in the tank for Obama. MSM = Obama campaign.
PersonalLiberty on October 17, 2008 at 4:01 PM
wonder if Lieberman feels awkard with the key issue now being Liberal Economic policies
jp on October 17, 2008 at 4:01 PM
Whether Obama and/or members of his campaign are directly involved in the dirt-digging expeditions on JtP, he/they certainly aren’t standing up and denouncing them. If Obama were outraged at the invasion of this guy’s privacy and the associated character assassination, surely he’d be publicly and repeatedly saying, “Stop this! It’s not right! A voter asked me a legitimate question and I answered it. There is no reason to attack him personally for it.” But he’s not. I count that as tacit participation in the JtP metaphorical lynching.
aero on October 17, 2008 at 4:01 PM
I think most people understand at this point that the BHO campaign and the media are one and the same.
Farmer_Joe on October 17, 2008 at 4:02 PM
The obnoxious thing about Biden and Obama ridiculing Joe over making $250K is that HE DOESN’T MAKE $250K. He wants to, though, without being hassled, as does every other American.
CP on October 17, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Obama: “Hey Joe, how’s business?” with the undertone of ‘now that my pals are digging up dirt on you, and Toledo officials of an unnamed party are trying to prevent you from work’. Yeah, that will sit real well with the average voter.
Vashta.Nerada on October 17, 2008 at 4:03 PM
What is with those dumb signs, people? I guess they don’t realize they’re blocking the camera sometimes?
And Joementum looks out of place up there and uncomfortable. It must be weird for him to stand up there and listen to attacks on policies he largely supports, like wealth redistribuion or abortion.
changer1701 on October 17, 2008 at 4:03 PM
I much more worried about massive vote fraud right now.
He may win the election but because of voter fraud lose it
kangjie on October 17, 2008 at 4:03 PM
I don’t hear any chants of USA,USA,USA at any
of the Obama rally’s!
canopfor on October 17, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Well, actually, Joe Plumber got so much into ObamACORN and Crazy Joe that both of them brought him up yesterday in their speeches. The last one to do that was Gov. Palin.
ObamACORN may not have personally sought the dumpster dive but he certainly didn’t come out against it.
Here’s Joe, the middle American ObamACORN is trying to buy off with tax cuts being mocked and sneered at by ObamACORN, Crazy Joe, and the media.
Captain America on October 17, 2008 at 4:04 PM
I was just thinking about that, jp, too…I bet he is.
changer1701 on October 17, 2008 at 4:04 PM
I am disgusted with the left’s attacks on people. Joe is soo much better than them.
Good news tho..Joe is gonna be on Huckabee, Saturday night.
becki51758 on October 17, 2008 at 4:04 PM
I’m not sure where Joe is anymore. Is he just putting on a brave face in support of McCain. Or does he really believe it?
I’m genuinely curious.
lorien1973 on October 17, 2008 at 4:04 PM
There’s another JTP and there will probably be more:
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/oct/16/knoxvilles-joe-plumber-doubts-obama-too/
That’s right. Look at Joe Home Depot saying JTP won’t make 250K.
Brat on October 17, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Joe just showed Obama for what he is. Obama’s own words.
This Joe thing is killing Obama.
Spirit of 1776 on October 17, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Joe Six Pack, Joe the Plummer, and Joementom are going to win this election.
lavell12 on October 17, 2008 at 4:05 PM
I want a McCain campaign commercial to say this, now! LOL
lorien1973 on October 17, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Even if Obama’s fingers are clean, he should still do the decent thing and condemn the attacks and demand that they stop.
Much as it irk’s his supporters, McCain set this example when he demanded that the N. Carolina Republican party drop it’s ads regarding the un-rev. Wright, earlier in the year.
Can Obama live up to the standards set by others, or will he continue to condone by refusing to condemn, as he usually does.
MarkTheGreat on October 17, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Anyone foresee a booming market for “Question Authority” bumper stickers? Fire-resistant, of course…
Spanglemaker on October 17, 2008 at 4:06 PM
In our re-education camp, they’re making us wear “Joe the Plumber” t-shirts, and then making us run through a gauntlet where we are beaten, spat upon, and feces are hurled upon us………. all of this with tape over our mouths.
………….. we are paying for his, Joe’s, sin, asking “The One” a direct question.
The beatings have re-started……………. I have to go back……
Seven Percent Solution on October 17, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Go read this this article
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=29072
“There are polling locations where there is not a single registered Republican voter. None of the elections officials monitoring that particular polling place are Republican. If you have… say 1,000 registered voters that were legitimate registered voters, and ACORN had illegitimately registered another 1,000 and there were no eyes and ears to make sure that a fair and accurate vote took place in a particular voting place, it’s possible… that a precinct worker could vote those registered voters that don’t exist or who have registered multiple times.”
kangjie on October 17, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Funny thing is, I know quite a few plumbers than make a hell of alot more than $250K. They started out much like JTP, took a risk and went into business for themselves, and built a very strong, successful business that now employs hundreds of people. The American Dream in a nutshell.
The reason Obama and Biden don’t know any plumbers that make $250K is because they most likely don’t know any plumbers at all. They have the housekeepers and maintenance men deal with tradespeople when they plug the crapper. And I doubt you’ll find many plumbers running in Obama and Biden’s social circles.
ARUGULA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Badger91 on October 17, 2008 at 4:07 PM
think McCain ever got a chant of “john mccain! john mccain!” till he started talking about small government, welfare, etc?
lorien1973 on October 17, 2008 at 4:07 PM
I have no doubt whatsoever that the Obama campaign is behind attacks on Joe the Plumber. Maybe it isn’t official people doing the dirty work, but I’m positive it has Obama’s stamp of okay, in the same way that the whores on that Gossip Girl show did an ad against McCain. I also think it’s too coincidental that within the same week that he had an ad complaining that McCain didn’t use email, Sarah Palin’s email was hacked into. I can only conclude that they tried to hack into McCain’s email and was disappointed that they couldn’t, so they went for Palin’s then pretended they had nothing to do with it. Call me cynical, but this is a dude who hangs with guys who bombed their own country and bragged about it.
foxforce91 on October 17, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Plus – anyone remember Craig Livingstone, Hillary Clinton and “Filegate”? It’s what they do.
foxforce91 on October 17, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Why not a new deep freeze? That’s where Dollar Bill Jefferson keeps his cash. :)
wytammic on October 17, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Hilarious… McCain makes Joe an issue and then blasts Obama for the media scrutiny he gets as a result. McCain vs the press… lol
lexhamfox on October 17, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Send the Cavalry!!
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 17, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Yes, Obama is not stupid, by focusing on Joe the Plumber he hopes everybody will forget his answer. McCain needs to keep pounding on it: “Obama said he will spread your wealth around”
neuquenguy on October 17, 2008 at 4:09 PM
I don’t know, I would consider Sen. Biden’s remarks about JTP on Leno’s show last night pretty close. Discounting the possibility of a plumber making $250K and taking a swipe at being unlicensed while not a full fledged attack certainly atry to diminish his credibility. Although I am still trying to figure out what the requirements are to ask questions of a presidential candidate.
Cindy Munford on October 17, 2008 at 4:09 PM
What a way to end the week – on such a hopeful message.
wise_man on October 17, 2008 at 4:10 PM
To be clean and pure like the wind driven snow.
lorien1973 on October 17, 2008 at 4:11 PM
He should tell Obama that he and Biden should stop lying and misrepresenting what the man said and meant. And he should call off his flying monkeys who are digging into his private life and publishing it on the internet.
Of course, it has obama’s approval. For some one who whined that Palin should have spoken out over something that never happened (kill him) and happened before she even arrived at the forum (terrorist, though I believe they were refering to Ayers), he appears deaf and dumb about his own party’s sins.
Blake on October 17, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Living in the desert I wouldn’t know personally, but from those I’ve spoken to snow is anything but. :)
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 17, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Yes. Biden said on the Tonight Show that Joe wasn’t even a plumber.
CanadianGuy on October 17, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Technically, no.
According to Wikipedia, “In a democratic society, independent media serve to educate the public/electorate about issues regarding government and corporate entities…”
Ah, who’m I kidding. MSM = Obama campaign.
Gilda on October 17, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Obama is such an f-in a-hole, I can’t stand it.
Dubn8tr on October 17, 2008 at 4:13 PM
And that video was really great to watch. What a fired up crowd.
wise_man on October 17, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Obama sneered at Joe in his speech yesterday; so did Biden. Both implied he was a phony, because everyone knows plumbers don’t make 250k/year.
james23 on October 17, 2008 at 4:14 PM
If inflation takes off, cash is the last thing you want on hand.
MarkTheGreat on October 17, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Ditto what he said:
These statements are just getting ridiculous. You’re defending Obama’s campaign now? My, my, my.
ALLAHPUNDIT PREDICTS OBAMA WINS THE ELECTION!
Sultry Beauty on October 17, 2008 at 4:15 PM
why does asking a candidate a question invite scrutiny?
and why isn’t the candidate’s response under that same scrutiny?
and isn’t it interesting that the media has turned into “joe” instead of about what it is – “socialism”
lorien1973 on October 17, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Let’s not forget Biden on Leno, getting a dig about JTP not having a license. Yeah, the campaign has very definitely personally attacked him… his license or lack thereof is completely immaterial to the campaign.
DaveS on October 17, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Talking about fire, I have really been seriously wondering if in the eventuality that Obambi wins I should promptly remove the McCain/Palin signs from my loan.
neuquenguy on October 17, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Mac’s speech today was good. Wish he had actually said “lay off Joe the plumber,” just like that, as the title of this thread states. That would have netted Mac another point in the polls!
james23 on October 17, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Grue in the Attic on October 17, 2008 at 4:13 PM
The lemon snow isn’t so bad. I always find it in my yard.
Bishop on October 17, 2008 at 4:16 PM
lorien1973 on October 17, 2008 at 4:11 PM
That would be me then (too old to be anything else). The thing is that I don’t want to ask him anything. Rush said that Greta was onto some interesting stuff about Acorn, the folks that established it and Mr. Ayers. Sounded interesting but I think her investigation is in it’s infancy. Hurry hurry!
Cindy Munford on October 17, 2008 at 4:16 PM
He can’t just like he won’t demand that people stop referring to him as Messiah.
Dubn8tr on October 17, 2008 at 4:16 PM
I was thinking the same thing…”Ol’ Joe L. must be feelin really awkward up there clappin to that since he still believes in Obama’s economic policies”.
Excellent speech…that needs to be a 30 second TV ad A-freakin’-SAP running in every battleground state.
Rogue on October 17, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Joe has plumbed the depths, but he’s still on the right side.
Keep on pissin’ ‘em off, John and kick the enemy to the curb!
Christine on October 17, 2008 at 4:17 PM
Joe Biden, way down in the gutter. So much for that lunchbucket.
Topsecretk9 on October 17, 2008 at 4:17 PM
If Joe the Plumber has some smart friends with a few bucks they’d fund his takeover of the company and call it “Joe the Plumber.” All his marketing has already been done. Then he’d definitely be a plumber who was making 250 G’s.
Akzed on October 17, 2008 at 4:17 PM
You just lost your authenticity right there :P
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 17, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Actually, it might be more serious if he loses. I am not kidding.
neuquenguy on October 17, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Has the Obama/Biden campaign had any direct attacks on Joe???
Biden quote on Leno last night:
“Let me put it this way: I don’t know — the neighborhood I grew up, even the neighborhood I live in now, which is a really nice neighborhood, I don’t know many plumbers who are making $250,000 a year and worried about it. We’re kind of worried about Joe the fireman, Joe the policeman, Joe the real plumber with a license.”
Redbird on October 17, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Yes because pointing out he isn’t a liscenced plumber and would in fact probably recieve a tax cut under Obama’s plan is akin to supporters of McCain calling Obama a terrorist and yelling for his death.
crr6 on October 17, 2008 at 4:19 PM
My favorite fictional plumber, Cosmo Castorini (Cher’s character’s father in “Moonstruck”) was loaded and here’s his sales pitch:
My husband and I use that line on each other when we are trying to decide on a major purchase.
Brat on October 17, 2008 at 4:19 PM
He didn’t look awkward standing on that stage to me. I doubt that Lieberman’s economic policies are as much in the tank for socialism as Obama’s.
wise_man on October 17, 2008 at 4:19 PM
So a irrelevant item and a lie is still better than a event that never happened? Go back to your Shrine of the Obamessiah
Rogue on October 17, 2008 at 4:20 PM
OT here:
Sean Hannity is only speaking with callers voting for Obambi today. What a bunch of brain-dead morons. It’s all about class envy and wishing the government would wipe and powder their skanky rear ends.
AubieJon on October 17, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Sultry Beauty on October 17, 2008 at 4:15 PM
lol
YellowDawg on October 17, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Hook line and sinker. You’re caught buddy.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 17, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Wonder what would happen if all the plumbers ignored calls for service from locations where Obama signs are posted.
News2Use on October 17, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Palin said ‘paling around with a terrorist’ and thats true. The secret service investigated the claim and besides the newspaper reporter in the tank for Obama, no one else heard anyone say that. So wallow in ignorance no longer, or continue to be a troll. Your choice.
wise_man on October 17, 2008 at 4:22 PM
The funny thing about this whole mess is not about the solicited question of JTP but the dumb ass answer Sen. Obama wishes he could take back. But JTP must be punished. I believe that bodes ill for those of us who will not meekly fall under the spell of The One. All of us aren’t David Brooks. Thank you, Lord.
Cindy Munford on October 17, 2008 at 4:22 PM
OH, and forgot to point out:
CONSERVATIVES don’t have to be the victims from a tax plan to dislike it. Unlike LIBERALS, it’s not all about what we’re having to pay – we think about our fellows as well. Who’s the selfish party now?
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 17, 2008 at 4:23 PM
So many Obama talking points in one short sentence.
1) Joe doesn’t need a license.
1a) It’s not the govt approval that makes one a plumber, or anything else for that matter.
2) McCain never called Obama a terrorist. Just pointed out the well proven fact that Obama likes to hang out with them.
3) Even the secret service has concluded that nobody called for Obama’s death.
Try again, maybe you’ll manage to get something right next time.
MarkTheGreat on October 17, 2008 at 4:23 PM
The beatings will continue until moral improves.
Now put away that keyboard, there’s work for your master to be done!
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on October 17, 2008 at 4:24 PM
Let’s see, what does $100.00 an hour add up to after 40 hours a week for 50 weeks a year? (He’s got to take a vacation)
Oh, $200,000.00, so plumbers don’t make $250,000 a year huh?
I don’t know about you, but the last time I had a plumber/HVAC guy at my house, he did 10 minutes worth of work and charged me $75.00. Hey, it’s not what you do, it what you know. If I could do it myself, I wouldn’t be paying someone to do it, but since this is still America, we have people who train for a skill that’s in demand and try to make a living from it.
flytier on October 17, 2008 at 4:25 PM
My wife and I have a system. She makes all the little decisions like what house to buy, when we need a new car, where the kids go to school etc., and I make all the big decisions like who should win the Super Bowl, who should be president, and so on. Works great.
Akzed on October 17, 2008 at 4:25 PM
The fact that these liberal elites find it unthinkable that a “lowly plumber” could make $250K shows how out of touch and condescending they are toward the middle class. 25 Boston Police Officers – good old street cops – made close to that last year.
TheBigOldDog on October 17, 2008 at 4:27 PM
Obama was making fun of Joe the plumber at a rally today…don’t ever think his people are above doing anything.
DCJeff on October 17, 2008 at 4:27 PM
I’m sensing you’ve got a leetle problem here with authority, and appeals thereto.
Logged, noted.
When the Obama regime institutes its program for exchanging denunciations of fellow-citizens for gubmint handouts, I’ll be sure to cash this one in. Oughta be worth at least 20 food stamps.
:-o
Gilda on October 17, 2008 at 4:27 PM
JTP’s address was posted on Kos… why don’t we all send him $10 to help him pay his back taxes and get a license? :-)
DaveS on October 17, 2008 at 4:27 PM
Question: Is the $250,000 figure being thrown about the total revenue or net income before taxes? If it’s total revenue, it doesn’t take very long at all for a small business to cross that threshold.
AubieJon on October 17, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Yes because pointing out he isn’t a licensed plumber and would in fact probably receive a tax cut under Obama’s plan is akin to supporters of McCain calling Obama a terrorist and yelling for his death.
crr6 on October 17, 2008 at 4:19 PM
There, fixed the spelling errors for you.
flytier on October 17, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Does anybody believe that they are actually going to pay less taxes under Obama?
neuquenguy on October 17, 2008 at 4:28 PM
supporters of McCain calling Obama a terrorist and yelling for his death.
The Secret Service said “it no happen” and you can bet your sorry ass that they take such things seriously.
One media guy claims he heard it, one, and no one else of the 20k who were there did.
Now go pull your pants back up and learn to do some research; your KOS data is skewed.
Bishop on October 17, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Senator Government refuses to specify.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 17, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Akzed on October 17, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Now, that Super Bowl thing, is that after we get to the final two teams or do you make that decision at the beginning of the season? I may need to place a bet.
Cindy Munford on October 17, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Joe the Plumber (JTP), and now Dan the Paver (DTP), are making history. I can hardly wait to see Bill Moyers’ head explode on PBS on November 5, trying to explain how one or two ordinary American working folks upset the preordained coronation of HTP*.
*Hussein the Politician
fred5678 on October 17, 2008 at 4:29 PM
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