Comments on: Obama weighs in on ‘Joe the plumber’

By: Syn in the City

Syn in the City — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:45:24 +0000

Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher is a close relative of Robert Wurzelbacher....Who is Robert Wurzelbacher??? Only the son-in-law of Charles Keating of the Keating Five Scandal.....Nice try McCain....Nice try...I'm so glad that Americans are really involved in politics this go round so that most of us are smart enough to really look up the facts!

By: freeman

freeman — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:44:42 +0000

Why has no one question Palin for supportting her husband in Alaska for down talking the United State government?

By: Jacqueline

Jacqueline — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:43:31 +0000

As a small business owner, I smell something stinky about Joe the Plumber's statements. It is wonderful to be a dreamer, but making a $250K profit a year in plumbing with only two men in the business is more than far fetched. Under Obama he will be getting the tax breaks he needs to build a business up from the ground and will not be getting taxed if he can possibly offer health insurance. Joe, I would think a little longer and in more detail about your plans and who you should vote for and good luck to you.

Obama/Biden All the Way.

By: ek

ek — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:43:10 +0000

So Joe the Plumber does not want to earn $250,000/year because he would have to pay 3% more in taxes (39% versus 36%) on the amount over $250,000? THAT makes a whole lot of sense . . . NOT!

By: jamil

jamil — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:42:01 +0000

Hay I make $250000. and guess what I am not worried!! he would only increase my taske rate about 5%. I tax rate would jump to 25%....

By: Paul Thompson

Paul Thompson — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:42:00 +0000

Let me see....

1) Energy policy
2) Stop the bleeding from Fannie and Freddie
3) Cut spending....defense included
4) Rein in lobbyist

Wow...I'd imagine there's a dozen more but I'm not running for President!

By: Phil in KC

Phil in KC — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:41:55 +0000

Here's a news flash (literally). Joe the Plumber isn't registered or licensed as a plumber. There's no indication he's even trained as a plumber. He has lived in Alaska and Arizona and seems to have a crush on Sarah Palin, however. Further, the news report I read indicated that he owes back taxes for personal property taxes – which is probably why he has a bone to pick on the tax issue. I'm guessing this guy is really regretting his 15 minutes of fame right now.

By: Fred May Sr. WA ST

Fred May Sr. WA ST — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:41:53 +0000

Check out eReposte economy democrats v. republicans or forbes.com presidents and prosperity.

These 2 articals explain how much better or worse off with both partys.
Interesting reading

By: Joan , Ontario

Joan , Ontario — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:41:50 +0000

There seems to be a lot of conflicting information about Joe the Plumber. Everyone should find out the truth before they generalize about him and he is used inappropriately by a campaign. Something just doesn't seem to ring true. Maybe he could go on Larry King and answer real questions and this could all be sorted out.

By: HouseDiva

HouseDiva — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:41:49 +0000

i could care less for someone making over $250,000 who doesn't want to pay taxes.

i make waaaaaay less than that, and i don't complain about paying taxes.

"joe the plumber" wants to be joe the tax dodger.

By: America think for you

America think for you — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:41:47 +0000

You have your mind made up so why wait go out and vote now to avoid waiting in long line in November the 4th.

By: TJ

TJ — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:40:52 +0000

Doctors and Lawyers are the only people I know that make $250,000 or more a year. I guess if you own a plumming company with many franchises you could earn that amount, but to insist that Obama's tax cuts are going to hurt the average Joe "Six Pack" Plummer's wallet is rediculous and seriously out of touch.

By: Bulldog

Bulldog — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:40:44 +0000

Joe the plumber gained his 5 minutes of fame. Enough of this guy. He will be lucky if he ever makes $250,000. So I don't know what he's worried about. He's a plumber, plumbers don't make that much money. He can dream but then he must come down to reality.

By: sabuc for Obama and voting early!

sabuc for Obama and voting early! — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:40:30 +0000

Alright people. Time for the real test! Vote early or show up early to vote on Nov 4. Nobody is ahead or behind until the last ballot is counted on Nov 4th!! Make sure all your friends and family members get out and vote!!

By: tom

tom — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:40:06 +0000

joe the plumber could make up to 2 million a year and still after deductions get in under that 250,000 mark-trust me i know i am a small business man and last year my business did 1.8 million in sales and after wages and all expenses are deducted and i deduct capital investments in equipment my total taxable income is under 200,000 dollars....so this small business man will vote for obama.

By: Mike for Des Moines

Mike for Des Moines — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:37:46 +0000

McCain is so comical; he believes that we Americans are all idiots. I am wondering this "Joe the Plumber" is a McCain invention sent to Obama rally to ask this question so McCain can use him at the debate.

98% of the small businesses make less than 250 thousand a year. Joe the plumber is part of a small 2% who need to pay some extra taxes instead of buying breast implants for his wife

Enough said

By: E B

E B — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:37:25 +0000

Now I am wondering why I spent all those years studying medicine. I should have dropped outta high school, and went directly to an apprenticeship in plumbing.

By: Cheryl, MN

Cheryl, MN — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:36:55 +0000

I love America, and I would not trust my country with John McCain.

Go Barack, win this election for those of us who haven't given up on you or America.

Obama/Biden 08

By: Rod

Rod — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:35:42 +0000

I have been hearing allot about Joe The Plummer..
Well, I am Rod The factory worker. I have company
Paid Health Insurance. As I understand it , Mr. McCain
Is going to tax my health care and distribute it to other
people. As A tax cut, Isn't that what Mr. McCain Is whining about with Joe?
taxing Joe and distributing the wealth to other people?

By: Proud to be American

Proud to be American — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:35:10 +0000

Joe Plumber is stage man who has affliations with the Keating 5 group – get out of CNN and look at other papers like Hoffington Post...

By: BM

BM — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:35:00 +0000

Maybe Joe the Plimber should have stayed out of the spotlight. Shame on you McSame for bringing attention to this man. You know the media would investigate him. That just goes to show your poor judgement again. He should have been vetted.

By: Pat, Pa.

Pat, Pa. — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:35:00 +0000

I'm already very sick of Joe the Plumber. I think his 15 mins. of fame are over. What a pathetic man McCain is to think that this would win him votes. If it does, then I cannot feel sorry for these people if he gets in and their balloon bursts.

By: K.D.

K.D. — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:34:54 +0000

Whether you like it or not , it is the people with money who do create and supply the jobs.
They are also the ones who have the means to move on and take their business somewhere else.
In these debates Obama has had a lot of memorized talking points but anytime one tries to pin him down to specifics , he waffles and mumbles and once again resorts to rhetoric.
I see an immature and inexperienced man that has been propped up by the DNC and a lot of money , which might be partly illegal donations , as we are finding out now.
Obama will be a disaster in the making , should he make it to the White House.

By: pdixon

pdixon — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:32:34 +0000

I am very suspicious of Joe the Plumber??? Something doesn't seem right about that last night. It seemed staged and was used way too much.

By: Phystee

Phystee — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:32:33 +0000

Joe the Plumber do not have a license. A bootleg plumber! Getting so much attention. Shame.

By: Linda from Prescott AZ

Linda from Prescott AZ — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:31:19 +0000

to Laverne: I agree with you 100%.
Go Obama Go

By: BM

BM — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:30:10 +0000

Joe the plumber doesnt evn have a license.owes baack taxes and a relative of Charles Keating. It appears that Joe wasn't vetted either.

By: BM

BM — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:30:01 +0000

Joe the plumber doesnt evn have a license.owes baack taxes and a relative of Charles Keating. It appears that Joe wasn't vetted either.

By: Number cruncher.

Number cruncher. — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:28:25 +0000

..........and further more,.....I think Joe the Plumber will get more than $150 worth of free advertising from being the most quoted topic of the presidential debate. Who could ask for better advertising/exposure??? He really has no point and should stop whinning( not that he really is , he's a fake anyway),

By: No way no how no McLies

No way no how no McLies — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:27:45 +0000

1- Joe "the plumber" lives and works in Ohio, but somehow, he was able to vote in the PA primaries?? Was that not fraudulent? Is nobody paying attention to this? 2- Joe "the plumber" has a two liens against him- One from the state of Ohio for- get this- owed taxes... $1200 to be exact. 3- Joe "the plumber" would actually benefit from Obama's tax policies Go figure

By: Jane the Small Business Owner

Jane the Small Business Owner — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:27:42 +0000

I'm skeptical that Joe the Plumber is going to make $250,000 a year after expenses are paid in his business, especially if it only has two employees. There are so many tax exemptions for small businesses - plus, he can incorporate and write off a bunch of things as business-related expenses that are tax-exempt. I'm a small business owner that makes less than $250,000 a year and I could really use that Obama tax cut. Joe could too, but he probably doesn't realize it...

By: Chris, Middletown, CT

Chris, Middletown, CT — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:27:39 +0000

I was an Obama supporter – moreso for our global presense – the more I listen and hear the rhetoric of "our economy is the way it is because of 8 years of failed Bush economic policy" – correct me if I'm wrong- this was caused by the subprime lending issue – which was started by Carter....deregulated by Clinton in 1995....and changes blocked to it by Democrats in 2006....granted – greedy businesses were to blame too....but the Democrats need to understand their give aways have serious repercussions....I am voting for McCain – he won't win – but at least I can say I voted against socialism from the start

By: Ashley

Ashley — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:27:31 +0000

I am actually more disappointed with Obama and Biden's comments on Joe the Plumber. Looks like not just Joe the Plumber but they don't want anybody to earn more than $250,000.

By: Ace

Ace — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:27:00 +0000

Joe the Plumber is a McCain supporter who their campaign had to attend Obama's rally to ask that question. I know this because I know Joe and he told me that Tucker Bounds approached him with the idea! I thought he was kidding! I see he was serious and a fake!

By: CR

CR — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:26:46 +0000

CNN needs to stop saying this Registered Republican who has lied about his name, tax record, income, plans for starting a business etc... is representative. I know you all need a horserace but the pandering is beyond the pale.

By: Christie

Christie — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:26:44 +0000

Joe the plumber and McCain need to listen carefully to Obama's response to Joe's question. Obama was saying that his plumbing business is nothing without customers... when the average person is struggling and can't afford to hire you then it's going to drastically hurt your business. The tax plan will give tax cuts to the average person who then can afford to hire Joe the plumber who in turn may end up making $350,000 in a year. If I owned that business, I wouldn't mind paying a slightly higher tax so more people could afford to hire me.

By: Canadian POV

Canadian POV — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:26:38 +0000

Joe the Plumber; Joe Six Pack; Joe Lieberman - only one Joe worth talking about and its Joe Biden because he represents Joe Average

By: Glennis, PA

Glennis, PA — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:25:43 +0000

Obama can spin it anyway he wants to but his plan is still all smoke and mirrors. He hasn't a clue. Nor does his friend Biden. I take it from his comments that Biden doesn't get out of his charmed circle much. This smug and dismissive pair would be laughable if we were not in danger of their reckless and ill conceived notions being foisted upon us. They won't get all the Pennsylvania votes!

By: Natalie

Natalie — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:25:31 +0000

John McCain and Sarah Palin keep telling the same lies about Barack. They need to focus on their plans, oops they don't have one.

By: Rita Montgomery, AL

Rita Montgomery, AL — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:25:14 +0000

The whole story about Joe the Plumber is full of it. This guy was a stone cold Republican who wanted to play Devil's Advocate by throwing out a hypothetical situation at Obama while Obama was talking to supporters and real undecided voters. Please look at all his interviews, he is not undecided. The situation he posed was a "what if", it was not realistic. He does not own a plumbing business yet, and is not even a licensed plumber. He keeps ranting and raving about socialism and it must be noted that he doesn't even want to pay social security taxes. And on top of that he owes back taxes! He doesn't even want to pay his fair share let alone pay a little bit more. There is nothing wrong with INVESTING your share into America and its future. All this talk about not raising taxes on anyone is ludicrous. Anyone who agrees with this philosophy doesn't really want to balance the budget.

By: JACKIE

JACKIE — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:25:03 +0000

SAY IT AIN'T SO JOE (JOE THE PLUMBER) WERE YOU REALLY A MCCAIN PLANT??? YOU RECEIVED WAY TOO MUCH ATTENTION FROM SENATOR MCCAIN FROM THE GIT-GO..

By: jess

jess — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:24:40 +0000

All Obama supporters, we just have to urge all family members, friends, strangers on the street to go out and vote. I have brought six people so far to register...that's not many, but it's a start.

And one more thing...let us not forget to pray, because God knows the United States cannot survive a McCain presidency.

By: Vote 4 Change

Vote 4 Change — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:24:22 +0000

Anonymous....

Give Hope a chance ~ for God forbid that you be on "the wrong side of history"...for you just might live long enough to regret it.

Fired Up ~ Ready to Go!

By: wake up out there

wake up out there — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:23:42 +0000

Before everyone gets stirred up about the 250,000 cap, I would like to know. Is this gross or net. $250,000 before deductions is not a whole lot of money for a sm business, but if he is making 250,000 after deductions, that is a lot of money. So...250,000 before or after, makes a big difference.

By: ADIOS

ADIOS — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:23:42 +0000

YOU,,,,,,,,,,,,ARE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,AGAINST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,SUCCESS,,,,,,,,,,,,STORIES,,,

YOU,,,,,,,,,,,,,ARE,,,,,,,,FOR,,,,,,,,,,,,,,WEALTH,,,,,,,,,,,REDISTRIBUTION,,,,,,,,,,,,,

SAY,,,,,,,,,,,,IT,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,BE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,A,,,,,,,,,,,,,,MAN

By: Liberal in LA

Liberal in LA — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:23:41 +0000

Sho' you right, Robin!!!!!

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:22:45 +0000

If I hear "redistribution of wealth" from another republican I am going to scream! Nowhere does Obama want to spread wealth!!!! Do you realize that your current administration redistributed wealth twice? My wife and I paid more in taxes than my aunts earn, they received stimulus checks while my family was denied checks because we make too much money!!! You people need to shut up if you have no idea what you are talking about.

By: Sherri

Sherri — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:22:29 +0000

Considering we are talking AFTER expenses which would include paying your employees. I can't see myself feeling to sorry for someone whose take home is 250,000 a year. Maybe he could give his employees a RAISE with that money and bring himself down to under 250,000 and then he'd be exempt.

By: Marc

Marc — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:21:44 +0000

If Joe the Plumber was smart, he would know that he would not be hurt by an Obama tax plan. Than to find out that he doesn't even have a license and he owes back taxes. Well, if McCain used him to jump start his campaign, it failed. The American people are tired of the games. Even though America will not vote for Obama, America is looking for a change. I think though, because of the candidates, America will keep McCain and suffer four more years just to keep the White House the way it is.

By: RJ - Ohio

RJ - Ohio — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:21:16 +0000

Hey Anonymous,
The only way NOTHING will be done is if we elect McSame and his Caribou Barbie sidekick.

He IS George W. Bush and EVERYONE knows it!