October 15, 2008
Posted: 09:46 PM ET

From
Obama campaigns in Holland Ohio
Obama campaigns in Holland Ohio

(CNN) – Joe the Plumber was the star of the final presidential debate on Wednesday night. But who is he?

Watch: Obama meets 'Joe the plumber'

Last weekend, while Barack Obama was canvassing for support in the small town of Holland, Ohio, the Democratic nominee ran into a tall, bald man, since dubbed Joe the plumber. He asked Obama if he believed in the American Dream — he said he was about to buy a company that makes more than $250,000 a year and was concerned that the Democratic nominee would tax him more because of it.

Obama explained his tax plan in depth, saying it’s better to lower taxes for Americans who make less money, so that they could afford to buy from his business. John McCain attacked Obama for this exchange, saying the Illinois senator is trying to “spread the wealth around.”

“We're going to take Joe's money, give it to Senator Obama, and let him spread the wealth around. I want Joe the plumber to spread the wealth around,” McCain said. He added, “Why would you want to increase anybody's taxes right now? Why would you want to do that to anyone, anyone in America, when we have such a tough time?”

Joe the plumber was mentioned 11 times at the beginning of the debate, nine times by McCain and twice by Obama.

Watch: Voters sour on 'Joe the plumber' story

Filed under: Presidential Debate


gal, Ohio   October 15th, 2008 9:51 pm ET

What McCain won't tell you, is Obama also spoke to a woman with a McCain sign in her yard while he was out canvasising. After she spoke with Obama she went out and threw the sign in the garbage and is now supporting Barack Obama. Right on the same street as Joe the Plumber.

lou in ottawa   October 15th, 2008 9:51 pm ET

McCain tried to make Joe the plumber sound like Joe Sixpack - a new republican tactic? - Maybe. But Obama correctly sticks to his plan and says if you make more than $250,000, youre not hurting as much as most. I agree.

Richie   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

Drilling isn't going to do a gosh darned thing. I wish big O would drop that.

O's so calm and collected. How many blinks per minute for McW? Count 'em while big O is talking.

changein08   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

Problem is that McCain wants Joe to keep his money in his pocket. Spread the wealth…doggone right Obama because Joe is not going to spread any wealth under McCains plan. Instead of hiring more people Joe will probably keep that money in his pockets. Trickle down theory does not work.

Barbara - 65 yr old white female in NC   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

Joe the plumber will get a tax break as a SMALL BUSINESS. Under Obama.

Once he becomes a big business, he'll pay more taxes. Read your factcheck stuff every now and then.

Voting early for Obama tomorrow.

Jane T, Williamsburg, VA   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

Obama is on the defense. Aw, err….huh, etc. McCain is doing a better job tonight, but he still needs to get nastier with the Obamara.

Tim   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

McCain is wrong on every issue except nuclear power.

Citizen   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

Joe the plumber is some sorry ruddy poot dude that had nothing better to do then hang out at a polictical rally. Joe get back to work.

Rich H   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

wow. . .name calling is really professional!

Joe Sixpack   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

McCain/Palin - The only Americans for the job!

April Crespin   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

I am so tired of McCain he is so boring, and senile. If Amercian people elected we are going ot be in BIG trouble. Also, Sarah Palin is a the wrong direction for the company.

Theresa   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

Opportunity for McCain to not discuss the issues. He is grabbing at straws. He has nothing left.

White Christian Mother for Obama   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

I dont think Palin is qualified… she didnt even know Russia was in a governors conference room!! She is clueless and blurts out bad things, she is riling up people in hatred.

McCain is worse than Biden on Foreign policy… everything that biden has done has worked out and was right… McCain on the other hand… Iraq will be quick… WAS NOT QUICK… its like another vietnam war!! How many years have we been there now??? Why are we so in debt and stock markets falling?? because of all the money we owe for IRAQ!!

Smarter than the GOP   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

LOL @ the hillary supporter… too bad you couldn't grow up like the rest of them!

Grace Needed   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

Senator Obama said Joe the Plumber would have been able to buy his business over 4 years ago had he got his tax breaks for small businesses then.

AnIndependent   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

As if McCain is concerned about Joe the Plumber! Bogus!

Dem in PA   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

Seriously? McCain is mocking Obama for having concern about nuclear waste? We sailed nuclear subs around the ocean and never had a problem…what the???? It is frightening to watch him when he gets dug into an issue he clearly doesn't understand.

Jen from IN   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

what about Jennifer the unemployed mother

NA Nevada   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

11 times??? WOW. Just like how they keep mentioning the number of times "Economy" has been said. BUT NO REAL ANSWER. I'm going broke. If I had $5 for every "Joe Sixpack", "Economy", "Bipartisanship", and "Joe Plumbers" out there….

I WILL BE RICH

CT Voter   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

That's an easy one — Joe the Plumber is Joe Six Pac's brother!

kwame   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

Who do you think is winning this debate? McCain came out swinging. Obama is more relaxed than i thought he would.

ALISON   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

Joe the plumber,,,hangs out with Joe six pack….

francee   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

Joe needs to loan me some money. In a time when people are trying to figure out how to put food on the table, Joe wants to buy a business that makes more than 250,000? Good for him, but he has to pay more taxes. What the Joe's don't get is that for him to be in a position to buy that business, some where he got a tax break

LTC   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

I think Joe would take the tax for the business as well as a cut to small business owners in order to keep people coming back to his business.

SHELLI1313   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

Joe the plumber is McCains wealthy cousin that has just 5 homes and 7 cars. He does not want the wealth to leave his wealthy family and friends, Bush/McCain, Chaney/Palin, Republicans/Racists. McCain is a whinner, a weeeeeener, a moron. He has cried throughout this debate and has complained about Senator Obama so much that if he said anything on the Economy everyone missed it. This man can't run Mickey D's

Tim in Syracuse   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

And yet, neither pointed out the McCain wants to give more money to those who can get by quite comfortably while Obama wants to give more money to those who are already having problems paying mortgages, putting money away for college and retirement, paying for healthcare and in some cases, simply putting food on the table for their families.

EqualBranchesofGovernment   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

We've got Joe six-pack, Joe the plumber…….now all we need is Joe SCHMOE!!

MISSISSIPPI FOR OBAMA   October 15th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

WHY THE HELL IS MCCAIN SPENDING THE WHOLE DEBATE ATTACKING OBAMA? SOMEONE TELL HIM TO STICK TO THE ISSUES!!!

VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN 08

Jason in Juneau   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

My friends and I are starting a new business and I'm liking Obama's plan better. We want the help to start. We'd rather contribute when we are up and running. Go Obama.

Lynne   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

I would like to know what Joe the plumber thinks about being talked about like this….I wonder who HE agrees with….

Smarter than the GOP   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

GOOD POINT JOAN!

Mick   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

McCain wants to give more of the wealth to the already wealthy, Joe the Plumber not withstanding.

David   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

So instead of keeping more of my hard earned money with an Obama tax cut, I have to hope that Joe the Plumber is going to "trickle" it down to me instead of buying himself a new car??? Thanks McCain!!!

Joe sixpack   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

McCain seems so angry and scary.

mama sue   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

haha! Maybe Sarah should resign and Joe can be the VP!

Mike   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

Wow nine times?
Yes, Nine times.

Where is Joe the broke guy that can't afford to buy a business or
Mike the broke guy that can't afford to buy a steak?

Not a mention yet……

Rich H   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

if there is a chance for john mccain, this is it. you can't "spread the wealth". If you tax additional tax dollars from me, I have to cut my spending which cuts income to small business which cuts jobs. Robin Hood should not be in play here.

Kris K in RM CA   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

Obama wants the best for all of us by changing how things are done. That is good for America. THe plumber is a symbol for all of us..he is America and so are we.

Disappointed Republican   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

What is with the snorting and sounds coming from MCCain. He still looks like an angry old man who is about to blow a fuse.

dustin   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

well when the top 1% makes more than the bottom 90%, yea maybe its time to start spreadin that wealth because trickle down economics has worked, period.

wayne   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

Joe six pack and Joe the plumber, is in the republican party eveybody named Joe…

bnavoter   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

i saw the conversation that obama had with joe the plumber, who is from ohio. obama never ever said "i want to spread the wealth around". it's just simply not true. i don't know why mccain said that obama said that. just not true.

Jay   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

If it was a drinking game, we would be drunk now the amount of time Mccain brought it up. Guess what..I wish I had $250,000 to start a business.

Cheryl from Minnesota   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

Illinois senator is trying to “spread the wealth around…….and what is wrong with that!?

Cynthia; Bham   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

All I know is that I don't make $250,000 and am looking forward to seeing a little bit more money in my check. If I made $250,000 I would not mind paying a little more.

GJ   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

Joe the Plumber is Joe Six Pack's dad.

Accountant Guy   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

OMG!! That VP question was AWESOME!! I think that made America see that Obama/Biden is the only logical choice!! Palin is a power abusing unethical liar and cheat!!

Obama/Biden '08

Concerned   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

JOE SIX PACK!!!!!!

JIM HAWK   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

thats as bad as my friends !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michele   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

My guy is named Joe the Plumber too.

Eric from California   October 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

Obama is setting him up. He is like a boxer. He knows that McBush has a bad temper, and when he gets heated, Obama comes at him with blow after blow.

NIKI   October 15th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

the guy Obama met when door knocking

Trysh, Los Angeles   October 15th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

He will forever be a symbol in Political Science courses.

brian   October 15th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

McCain sounded a little loopy.

No Hillary = No Obama   October 15th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

Joe Plumber? Is he one of those bitter people clinging to his religion and guns?

franknitty41   October 15th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

All I can say is 95% of the people weigh more than Joe the plumber.

saint paul mn   October 15th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

as usual, mcsame making up things

what a waste

I have made up my mind and so has the rest of the country

what a mess is this guy, mcbush

CLUELESSSSSSS

USA!   October 15th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

McCain seems so angry and unsteady. really scary to see him unraveling like this..

Doc G   October 15th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

Obama is sending McCain home. Angry does not allow for CLEAR THINKING.

amandazz   October 15th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

Joe the plumber=Joe six pack

Richie   October 15th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

Thanks for the explanation. I think paying taxes is patriotic. That's Joe (the Senator).

ines   October 15th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

McCain is trying to fill time talking about one very specific obsure case so he doesn't have to talk about the economy.

Temitayo Gidado 4 obama   October 15th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

THANK U I JUST WANT 2 KNO WHO JOE IS VOTING 4 …PLS DO THE RESEARCH

Joan Fl Voter   October 15th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

SEN. OBAMA IS A WINNER TONIGHT… DONT NEED TO SEE ANYMORE LOL! ITS OVER FOR McCAIN!
SLAM DUNKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!

Where is McCain Flag Pin??? This is the 3rd time for McCain!!

Bama4Obama   October 15th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

Huh? Is he related to Joe six pack?

Drew   October 15th, 2008 9:47 pm ET

McCain is imploding in a sea of his own distortions…he has no life..energy…just anger sarcasm and interruptions.

Mary, ex-PUMA   October 15th, 2008 9:47 pm ET

Wow. McCain is acting like a bigger jerk than usual.

RS-Texas   October 15th, 2008 9:47 pm ET

sorry from previous topic…talk about 'skeletons in the closet' of an EIGHT YEAR OLD Obama…what next ladies and gentlemen….YES he wet his bed at that time too…..should we do like McCain's cronees say and get him…

Comments have been closed for this article

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