CNN

I find it funny that all the news outlets were cutting off their coverage of Barack's answer (or non-answer) to Joe, but now that Fox News played the response by Barack, which was a lowsy answer to a tough question, he couldn't handle it!! If Barack cuts so many taxes, how will he fund all his new programs???

For the past few weeks, I have been leaning toward a vote for Barack Obama, despite my long-time appreciation and admiration of John McCain. However, after witnessing Sen. Obama's reluctance to stand up to his advisors and staffers in their never-ending, extremely sexist and degrading remarks about Gov. Palin; his reluctance to stand up and own his own part in turning a blind-eye to the Acorn voter registration fraud; and now allowing his staffers to smear a private citizen simply because this man had the audacity to ask a relevant question; I must now return to going with a candidate who will admit his shortcomings and the shortcomings of his staff. The one who is also able to stand-up to his own advisors as it relates to the voicing of concerns about that racist trying to cloak himself in the word of God, Reverend Wright. This latest campaign against an all-too-flawed-like-the-rest-of-us U.S. citizen, really turns my stomach and I am not about to vote for someone who possesses this level of blind ambition.

I was almost convinced...glad I've kept watching and listening.

Well at least SCOTUS saved Joe's right to vote...McCain needs all the votes he can get in OH....Our problem isnt with Joe...Its with John McCain thinking that this man represents Americans...$250,000 a year IS a lot of money! I would consider that rich! John McCain acts like everyone makes $250,000 a year!!! If we did then their wouldnt be a housing crisis!!! We could all pay our mortgage!!!

It isn't the media's fault that Joe is not who he originally appeared to be. Biden and Obama should watch their tongue though. I think this "Joe the Plumber" stuff is catching on with undecideds, and taking shots at him, however disingenuous he may be, can only help McCain. Obama shouldn't underestimate the amount of Americans that aren't completely sold on him. I do not think this election is over by any means and actually expect McCain to make a big late run, and it might be starting right here.

Looks like McCain vetted Joe as well as he did Palin

I imagine this issue is going to be radioactive before too long here. Personally I think the whole thing is rubbish; it's a distraction, a modern version of Richard Nixon's lame "my dog Checkers" schtick. The fact that we're talking about some guy personal intrigue rather than an entire nation's needs–it's a waste of time. This campaign has become a joke, an insult to America's political process. I want to circus to leave town. We vote in 18 days: make it count.

Joe the plumber was certainly not planted. Why in the world would McCain research Joe the Plumber. The issue is Obama wants to "spread the wealth." That is socialism. I can't believe that people would think that McCain should research Joe! I guess I should believe it because all people seem to care about it how well you "present." Obama is well rehearsed, not real. Ask him to speak "off the cuff" and he says something like "spread the wealth." Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing!!

I'd bet Joe the Senator doesn't have one plumber living in his neighborhood the elitist snob, he ought to learn to count the correct number of letters in JOBS.

But really, it's truely amazing that an ordinary working JOE, i.e. a typical American like us, can strike fear and rage in the Obama camp.

Doesn't anyone hear get the point of "Joe the Plumber". If you care about jobs you should really think about the meaning, it does affect everyone who wants to work and earn a living. All the name calling is not making any point to your posts.

As a small business owner, I fear an Obama presidency. It will cost jobs. It's not that Joe the Plumber would be taking home 250,000, it's if a business makes 250,000 or more. It may sound like alot of money, but it takes money to run a business. That money is NOT what is taken home by the owner of the business. The money taken home is double taxed, since taxes are paid on payroll when the money is used.

Joe the plumber cant even pay his taxs...and he is worried about his taxs going up when he makes 250K

I was and have been an Obama supporter, but after reading all of these comments I realize that we as democrats are afraid to question anything, to take ones word at face value, to go along with the multitudes just like a zombie. Is it not ok for someone to maintain the American dream? All programs must be paid for by taxes, that is the only way the gov. has of raising money. It should be ok to question unless we are afraid of the answer. Is it ok to smear someone who asks a legimiate question?

First – how could Joe be a plant when Obama walked up Joe's house?!!

Second – its not Joe or Joe's question or Joe's situation that was the problem – it was Obama's answer "spread the wealth around"!

Third – Obama and Biden (along with the media) are attack Joe instead of attacking Obama's comment of spreading the wealth around.

You all should be ashamed and sorry.

Joe (I mean Sam) has now been vetted better than Palin!

Why do all the Republicans latch on to "redistribute the wealth" like that's a bad thing?

The CEO of my company makes millions in salary, bonus, and pension. And sends my job to India to make his fortune. Where are the honor and ethics in that?

JOE!!! GET A JOB, BUD!

...wait a second...and who brought up his name during the debate????? OMG...ENOUGH ALREADY!!!

How DARE the Democrats say that!

So Obama and Biden are for the "uneducated" plumber who is an employee without a upscale degree...

Why aren't Obama and Biden talking about the plumber with street smarts who owns his own business... the person trying to live the American Dream?

They SHOULD be promoting the American Dream!

So what kind of "Change" are they supporting? Based on this they are supporting the folks who are at the bottom... that's NOT the kind of change I want.

Our Economy needs a President who supports Business owners who create jobs!

Obama and Biden.... What arrogant, condecending jerks. Since they can't actually defend their plan of robbing hard working people, they pick on a poor slob. Nice...

Once again McCain's failure to vet a key component of his presidential bid blows up in his face. And, as usual, McCain blames someone else.

ok so invoking his name HOW many times during the debate doesn't have ANYTHING to do with cameras parked outside his house? riiiight. Once again, the McCain campaign blames someone else

Well everyone knows he was a plant...........He should get ready because all of his life will now be on display................HAHAHAHA Palling around with GOP RETHUGLICANS.................

Joe the plumber asked for it. Now we know the facts –

- 42,000 a year income can't buy a company.

- the company he works for makes 100k a year. if anything, they would actually get a good tax cut from the obama plan.

- Joe is not a licensed plumber.

- connected to Charled Keating of the Keating 5 scandal which guess what – McCain was involved in.

what a plot.

I cannot believe the comments on this. I cannot believe the focus on Joe. I cannot believe people cannot form opinions outside what the media is telling them. What about the focus on Obamas comment? What about focusing on what he means when he repeats over and over 250,000? What about asking Obama to define a small business? 250k in receipts, profits? # of employees. What about asking these extremely important questions for us small business owners. What about asking Obama to define how he plans on "spreading the wealth".

I would like to know how Joe the Plumber can fix his mouth to say he makes over $250,000.00 a year. My next door neighbor is a Plumber(Licensed and Bonded in Arizona), and ownes his own company, with employees, and states he doesn't even gross that much in a good year, and it's not just him. I recently asked my Plumber that I pulled out of a newspaper,( who is Licensed and bonded in Arizona) and we discussed this, and even he doesn't make that much as a Plumber owning his own business, so I would really like to know. I have to honestly ask....Was he a hoax who was paid to act as if Obama's platform would hurt him economically in the future? Hmmmmm...

John McCain names "Joe the Plumber" on national television and then he turns around an accuses Obama of "smearing him? McCain thrusts him into the spotlight, unbeknownst to Joe and that brought the scrunity.
At least Karl Rove would have thoroughly vetted Joe first! But we all know McCain is too impulsive for his own good. I don't want that guy's finger on the nuclear buttons, do you?

Joe, the NOT Real plumber, who finally had to admit that under Obama's plan, he really would be better off.
As all of us would.

Joe, you should be blaming McCain for the intense scunity, but remember you allowed the reporters in and you took the calls. At first it's fun to be the "star" isn't it ,Joe, until they find the sheletons in your closet. Enjoy your 15 minutes or so fame, Joe!

This is horrid. Leave the guy alone. Seriously, you people are really sick. It is one thing to smear and attack the canidates but leave this guy alone. Obama put him on the spot in front of the media and all this guy did was ask a ligit question and now because of asking Obama a real question ie no fluff, his whole life is being torn down. Anybody attacking this guy or pulling every skeleton of his out of the closet are pathetic freaks. Get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

McShame, did you vett him the same way you vetted Palin, did ya, huh, did ya???

Obama in '08!

The Republicans latch on to their conception of the normal American, "Joe Six Pack," "Joe Plumber," and the like, and then beat it into the ground until you want to scream. It tells me that they have no clue, ultimately, what it means to be an average American. All they have is their caricatures. Is this some kind of character flaw, perhaps?

Of course he is getting smeared. He showed the whole country the Socialist Obama really is. GO JOE !!!!!!!

We don't care about Joe the Plumber. Congratulations, you're rich! Now get the heck out of my television screen and get back into my bathroom to unclog the toilet.

John, John, John. Once again you are showing America the kind of hero you really are. You used Joe the Plumber to beat on Obama during the last debate and then blame Obama because Joe is now “enjoying” the scrutiny that comes with the celebrity you gave him? Come on John, get out from behind the plumber, look Obama in the eye and say what you have to say.

While you are at it, come out from behind Sarah’s skirt and go man to man with Obama on ACORN if you think Obama is involved with voter registration fraud. And if you want an apology from your old friend and fellow senator John Lewis about his comments comparing the tone at McCain/Palin campaign rallies to those he remembers from George Wallace rallies, then man up and ask him, not Obama, for an apology. When did you go from hero to coward?

McCain just can't get off of the low road express

The economy is the number one issue!
The economy is the number one issue!
The economy is the number one issue!

OBAMA-BIDEN 08-12'

We should leave this joe guy alone.
If he wants to vote against his own best interests that is his business.

McCain dangled him out there as bait. Quit snapping at it.

My guess is that Joe the plumber will turn into a joe six-pack after all this is said and done and the economy has tanked.
Go Obama!

Puh-lease. MCCAIN brought "Joe the Plumber" up, like, 20 times in the final debate! Then the press started digging around, asking, "Who is this 'Joe the Plumber' guy?" How is that OBAMA smearing ol' Joe?

In all this, I have to wonder if maybe McCain doesn't know the definition of the word "smear?" The press is reporting stuff on Joe's profession, legal name, and taxes. Is any of it wrong so far? Because as far as I know...

It's only a smear if ain't true!

It sounds like they are mostly attacking McCain for claiming that someone who would make $250K per year in income was an "average guy".

It was ordinary people and media researchers who discovered that the story was false, not the Obama campaign. Most of that was because the guy admitted in an interview that he didn't have a license. They also realized that is was unlikely a plumbing company with two employees could make that much money. McCain was the one who was sticking this guy out there and exploiting the story. A lot of rational people realized the story sounded fake and checked up on it. Even Fox News reported on the false part of the story.

The fault for Joe Wurzelbacher's notoriety rests with two people, McCain and Wurzelbacher himself. Wurzelbacher is the one who lied about his situation. Obama answered the man's question in good faith. Obama did not promote the guy in any way. McCain is the one who used Wurzelbacher and tried to make him an American symbol. McCain should have asked the guy's permission before using his name, and he also should have checked out the story.

Also, this was not an attack by a "biased media". The response was inevitable. When the guy said that there were only two employees, normal people realized the numbers didn't add up. If you tell people something that sounds false, they are going to check it out.

LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT:

RIGHT WING TALK SHOWS DISCUSS "JOE" AD NASEUM MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

MCSHAME BRINGS UP "JOE" 21 TIMES DURING THE DEBATE WATCHED BY 55 MILLION AMERICANS.

AND NOW THAT THE REPUGS HAVE SEEN THIS "PLUMBER" TURN OUT TO BE AN OUTRIGHT LIAR, NOT TO MENTION A TAX EVADER, MCSHAME NOW IS ASKING THAT "JOE" BE TAKEN OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT.

MCSHAME IS NOW A SYNONYM FOR JOKE IN MY LEXICON

Uhhhh, excuse me McSenile??!! But wasn't it YOU who brought "Joe" the so-called plumber up in the debate??!!! You DO remember that, don't you?? Ohhh yeah, that's right....................I keep forgetting that you have frequent pesky "Senior Moments"!!! Maybe you need a little more Fiber.

If I were Joe – I would wish Senator McCain had never heard my name. Did I hear somewhere that Joe's popular on the right wing-nut shows?

Nicolas127,

The American Dream is for a brighter future. The American Dream CAN be about owning your own business. 250k per year is a really lofty American Dream. That's not saying not to have that dream, but realize that it will be only the stalwart and lucky few who will ever achieve it.

But 250k and no taxes, or 250k and minimal taxes, or 250k and the least taxes you can get away with, that's a self-centered wet dream of the ugliest sort. It was the people who realized that ugly dream that are now costing you and me over $700 billion of bailout. There's no need to dream of unbridled selfishness, of a bright future for me and no others.

So let me get this right. A man named Samuel said his name was Joe. He's a handyman, yet said he was a licensed plumber. He makes $40,000 a year, yet said he made more than $250,000. And he said he wanted to buy his bosses business, which wasn't for sale and he couldn't afford.

So when this guy tried to trip up Obama with a host of lies, Obama didn't back down. Obama didn't beat around the bush. He simply told the truth – "Yes, your taxes would be higher."

So why in the world are the Republicans on this blog saying "Obama screwed up again?" It seems that to Republicans, Joe the liar is the one who is right and Obama the truth teller is the one who is wrong. This is the new virtue of the Christian Right – lying is good, telling the truth is bad.

I could not be more proud to have switched from a Christian to an agnostic and from a Republican to a Democrat when I see the Christian Right Republicans standing up for liars. It's why I left the church and the Republican party.

Now it's Obama's fault that the media is looking into Joe's background.

It's Obama's fault that Joe is not a licensed plumber.
It's Obama's fault that Joe owes back taxes.
It's Obama's fault that Joe isn't making $250,000 now.
It's Obama's fault that Joe tossed an unlikely hypothetical at Obama (if a man makes far less than $250,000 and owes back taxes, what is the likelihood that a bank will give him a loan to buy a $250,000 business?).
It's Obama's fault that Joe shook Obama's hand and walked away with a smile.
It's Obama's fault that Joe didn't ask any follow-up questions.
It's Obama's fault that Joe keeps talking to the media.
It's Obama's fault that McCain brought up Joe repeatedly at the 3rd debate.
It's Obama's fault that McCain didn't know all the details, pro and con, of this American hero, Joe the Plumber.
It's Obama's fault that under Obama's plan Joe will get a better tax break than under McCain.

[Psst... this last one is true.]

OMG are there no McCain fans. Give it a rest. I can't wait til Nov 4th so we can all get on with our lives.

Factcheck has already reported that Joe the Plumber has admitted that he would be better off under Obama's tax plan. Also reported that he's not making anywhere NEAR 250K.

And honestly, now I'm wondering if McCain's comment about a wealthy couple hiring him to work on their 7 houses is actually McCain hiring him to work on HIS OWN 7 houses

"He wasn't recruited or prompted by our campaign. He just asked a question," McCain said at Friday's Miami rally. "And Americans ought to be able to ask Senator Obama tough questions without being smeared and targeted with political attacks."

when will the Media get to ask you and Palin the tough questions?

LOL!!! He threw Joe under the bus! Jesus chirst, the guy lied himself and he is not making $250,000 a year plumming unless he owns the business. Which from the news, he does not. McCain is a funny guy. He should be slapped for that kind of move he tried to pull. Pick a side JOE, and i know Mccain does not care about you.

OBAMA 08.

With all due respect Senator McCain, Obama did not bring it up. You did! And with all due respect once again, Obama did not keep on mentioning 'Joe the plumber' again and again and making people sick of this innocent poor guy, you did!

You are awesome person Senator McCain but what has happened to you? really!

McLiar's gonna run out of desperation cards eventually.

I'm from Toledo, and my dad is in the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union. I asked him what he thought about it and he said he knew who he was and said he was a scab. My father is an average Joe, and a good citizen... not this guy.

Nobody would know Joe if you hadn't brought him up in the debate 350 times, John.

McCain was the one that introduce Joe the plumber to us during the last debate in no way shape or form is this Obama's fault! I suppose if McCain loses the election he'll blame that on Obama also! This will be McCain's own fault for choosing to subject the American people to Palin's smear tactics and baloney . I hope those good plumbers and all Americans realize what manipulative tactics the McCain campaign is using and how dangerous his campaign rallies have become with Palin stoking the fire of hatred and anger!
Peace people please!!!

Joe the plumber may not have been a plant, but he had already made up his mind that he wasn't going to be honest either. He was definitely trying to get his 15 minutes of fame. The fact that he is a McCain supporter doesn't surprise me at all. The typical McCain supporter is white, rural, exaggerater, angry that a black man may be president, and in Joe plumber's case not even a real plumber.

McCain and "Joe the Plumber" are responsible for all this. If "Joe" had not been so ready to enter the fray as a shill for the republicans, maybe he wouldn't have agreed to be McCain's surrogate.

This really is much ado about nothing, except now Joe'll have to pay all those back taxes.

I am sorry that Obama and his friends are upset about Joe the Plumbers question. He did not say he made 250,000, he said would his taxes go up if he did.

I make less than 50,000 a year but really do not feel that my boss should pay a larger percentage of taxes than I do. We are a capitalist country and that is what we do. he has worked and built this business and he deserves the fruits of his earning. I do not think he should be supporting my disabled daughter and my grandson. That is my job.

Thank you

So now mcsenile blames Sen Obama for the press investigating this idiot????

18 days and counting cannot come fast enough.

Nice to see CNN giving McCain a free ride again. Thanks

No licence to work as a plumber. A tax evader. No, he's not getting smeared. He's a Republican stooge.

This fraud is no more an "everyman" than McCain is. Like everything else about this ticket – and the entire republican party – when you scratch the surface, there's nothing there. He's being exposed for what he is, a puppet for the bankrupt far-right agenda. Tax fraud, no plumber's license, not registered to vote, related to McCain's Keating Five connections. An utter fraud. Now McCain is complaining that he's being exposed for what he is? Unbelievable. They vetted this guy as thoroughly as they did Palin and are now paying the price for both.

So John McCain mentions this guy over and over in the national media, the national media (including Fox News) respond by covering him, and McCain blames Obama?? It's like Alice in Wonderland...

Obama aswered Joe's hypothetical questions truthfully. Joe called Obama words "pretty"? He told you the truth given your questions dude.
Yes. IF you buy your bosses business & YOU net over $250K, you will see a tax increase.
Amazing how John McCain has spun this.

I guess neither John nor Joe can't handle the truth?

Sure is a lot of 'hate' that comes with these liberals?

Nick127.
No, he's calling a tax evading liar on a lie. Grow up.

McCain you are telling the WRONG people.........YOUR VP pick is the ONE who SAID enough with THE JOE's. IS there any type of communication between you two?????????

Who introduced the fake plumber into our living rooms?

You did Senator McCain!!!

You brought this poor guy into this mess, just like everything you do, HASTILY, you never checked him out before you tried to use him as a prop in your poorly cast drama in the last debate!!!

Next time, if ever there will be a next time for you, always look for a credible person to use as a plant in your opponents rallies!!!

You are the father of politics of slime but are the first to ever cry foul!!!

You people need to listen to the question again. Joe the plumber asked Obama if he would raise his taxes if he bought his plumbing business and started making more that 250k. He never said he was currently making that kind of money. Just concentrate on what the Messiah said in the debate. "I don't mind paying more taxes". The problem with Obama is that he wants all of us to jump on the I want to pay more taxes bandwagon. If you guys are ok with people that don't pay taxes getting tax refunds then go ahead and vote for Obama. Just don't complain when the salary floor drops below 250k and he comes after your money. Oh, and another thing. Why is it when any person asks a question of Obama, they are immediately attacked? If his skin is that thin he doesn't have the huevos to be commander-in-chief.

"Joe the Plumber" is a registered Republican....

If joe keeps talking i gonna go broke. What time Palin opens her mouth I give to Obama. If joe keeps talking or if I keep hearing about joe, I going to really be broke.

Obama 08

The fact that Joe has no license, has no plan or way to purchase this company, and that this version of the American Dream...is in fact, just that, a dream...speaks to McCain's weakness in this campaign. He spends so much time talking about topics, people, and subjects that do not matter, he has spent little time on the things that are really plaguing the "angry" people he claims to have such a connection with!
Joe can vote for WHOMEVER he chooses, but the facts are just this...Obama's tax plan, health care plan, and every other policy will help Joe much more than McCain's! Oh, and I guess McCain forgets that had he not brought up the man every other sentence in the debate, there would be nothing to smear...

Obama doesn't need to be involved in the silly season...he should just leave joe alone and not question what he makes. "Joe the plumber is a representation of small business america... So what Joe..who's name really isnt joe and he really isnt a plumber, and he really isnt going to buy a business for 250K and would benefit from Obamas plan more than he would McCains plan... was out there asking the question. I mean really Obama needs to just move on and focus on 18 more days...

This just shows how out of touch Obama and Biden really are!

It's not about the plumber it's about the companies that hire them.
I work for a plumbing company that's been family owned over 60 years. They make just over $250k a year. Obama's "Patriot Tax" puts me out of a job so my boss can fulfill his new found "Patriotic Duty".

Obama's plan "The Patriot Tax" creates a CEILING for small business owners. You make too much money and we're going raise your taxes? So what making $249k is better than $269k?

That's not the America I know.

He didn't ask you to bring up his name in the debate, Senator McCain. It's your fault! And, how about the grad student who asked Sara Palin a "tough question," eh? What did you call that? "Gotcha journalism"

JOE THE PLUMBER IS RELATED TO ONE OF THE MEN INVOLVED IN KEATING 5, OH WAIT AND MCCAIN WAS INVOLVED IN KEATING 5, WHICH BY THE WAY HE ADMITTED GUILT. BOTH HE AND SARAH HAVE AN UNETHICAL PAST!

Unfortunately Joe the Plumber turned out to be a fraud and gives respectable plumbers a bad name. He lied about his situation and misreresented himself for what ever personal spotlight motives he has. Considering his real situation he would definitely be better off voting for Obama, and he probably should sue McCain for his sladerous comments of a private citizen ( i supose then he would be in a higher tax bracket but even so he's better off with Obama as president. another example of McCains bad judgement, using people for his personal gain without checking the facts. Don't you think Obama already knew Joe the plumber was not being truthful and his situation didn't make sense? Mark-Republican in PA voting for Mccain- I do all my own plumbing work for free!!

Can we PLEASE stop talking about this man.... McCain loves to USE the U-N-E-D-U-C-A-T-E-D voter to help him win. McCain owns 7 houses, and 13 cars, he is NOT interested in what happens to Joe... He wants MORE TAX CUTS FOR HIS RICH FRIENDS.

Would you like me to count the number of times McCain brought up "Joe the Plumber" during the debate when he thought it was helpful to him. Now even pathetic Palin is tired of hearing of Joe the "plumber", who was probably planted by McCain since he is a registered republican, and isn't even a plumber and by no means has enough money to pay his back taxes let alone try to purchase a business. Just like Palin, McCain didn't bother checking him out thoroughly before he tried to use him as a club. And just like everything else, he is trying to blame Obama for his own stupidity.

He never said he makes $250,000.. Obama and Biden must be stupid!! He said he is going to start a business that may make that much. Keep the smears coming. It only hurts yourselves.

McCain you need to remember you put the light on Joe the plummer. See this is the problem, McCain does not think about no one but himself. He shined the light on Palin and look at the dirt she had and now Joe. Obama did not bring him up you did. So you are the one that first used him to gain and did not for once out Joe the plummer life from that point on.

Once again I question McCains judgement.

Hey, Joe

You didn't pay your taxes...how are the troops going to get support???
I paid mine. You must be special...like the McCains.

thats what Joe gets for being planted to lie by your campaign McPhony. By the way wasnt it you who brought him up to begin with? Just another distraction because you know you are getting housed on the economy issue by Obama. Last his Buckeyes have lost 2 strait national championships let that be an Oman to you McLoser!

The McCain campaign caused smears of another person by not vetting them properly. Enough of the gimmicks.

Joe the Plumber would make a better VP than Palin.

Watch McCain's numbers fall after this fiasco. A fiasco of his own making, mind you. He brought this guy up, now He has to try and defend yet another blunder from his poor judgement. Good God, what would his ADMINISTRATION look like? He can't go a day without pissing someone off and telling another lie.

Yea! he brought him up because Obama didn't, Joe the plumber just wanted to know if Barack believed in the American dream? I guess questions will be off record on Obama's tour from now on! Don't go knocking on heavens door if you don't want questions Barack!

I really don't care about the fictional Joe the Plumber and what he thinks or what John McCain thinks.

Joe's "getting smeared" is NOT the result of his having asked Obama a question - it's the result of McCain bringing up their encounter and beating it to death during the debate. McCain has no one to blame but HIMSELF for what is happening to Joe.

Fact Check: It was not Obama that brought his name up at the debate...It was Joe the McBlame. He received his notoriety from the McCain camp.

The McCain / Palin campaign has set the world against USA again, in as regarding those who are filled with racism and hatred, and cynical to put someone like Joe the Plumber in the forefront, and then accused the DNC campaign as the evil one.....As we have been hearing, seeing and reading, what those attendees at the McCain/ Palin campaigning has dug up from the Civil Racist narrow minded and down right ignorant individuals, who are so insecure within themselves!

It doesn't in anyway, as I hear comments abroad what the small amount of idiots who claim to be god fearing people! They are the lowest of the gene pool and now they have just confirmed to the rest of the world what the world already knows.

I am Mogu the engineer, and I am pathetic. I have a Masters in Electrical Engineering from a top tier engineering school, and I only make 70K a year. I wish I went to Plumbing Institure of Technologies or PITS, instead of spending so much money on my Bachelors and Masters. My life sucks!

Lawyers – they have all these shows on TV and in reality they make tons of money.
Doctors – they have all these shows on TV and they make tons of money.
Joe the plumber, or Sam the handy-man makes a quarter million a year.

It is only stupid engineers like me who are part of the poor and disenfrachised. We are made fun of at school for being nerdy. I wish all those US colleges would stop offering engineering degrees. US society does not value us. Even a two year or zero year plumbing degree is better. Doing an engineering degree is like a death sentence!

Sorry Joe, you get to taste what a majority of informed americans think about lies. Like Sarah Palin, you are a clear victim of McCain campaign's imprudence. I don't sympathize with you because the good choices are out there and you chose the wrong one.

when you are old and losing, you grap any joe you can–so mcbush go have a cup of joe.

John YOU really need to TELL your VP that you hired, SHE is the one WHO SAID enoughhhhhhhh with Joe's. McCain and Palin act LIKE they are not ON the SAME ticket!!!!!!! JOE Related to your buds in the KEATING FIVE

HOW unorganized can two people BE???????

NO McCain, NO Palin, NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!

McCain is nothing more than the "little boy that cried wolf" and he has done this one too many times. Joe the plumber , brought that "chit on himself.

Joe's question represents real Americans. We want to know just how much of our wealth Obama plans on spreading around with all the welfare recipients. We work hard for what we get and and the government takes about 32%-39% and then we have all our expenses and of that $250k, we probably end up with $80-90$k.
Joe and Obama need to get real jobs...they get a fat salary, free health and all kinds of vacations from their lobby friends and are out of touch, period.

"Joe the Plamber"....Sara the Hockey Hunter / Moose Mom" "
What's with all these wierd little Repubican catch phrasaes?

I read that Joe the plumber or Sammy the Handyman (or whoever he really is and whoever he is really being used by) is not even registered to vote!

After having many experiences with plumbers I can state with cofidence that I have yet to meet one that is 100% legit. So, Joe the plumber fits right in...avoids his taxes and lacks a license and training.

Is this man INSANE? HE was the one that brought him up in the debate in the first place, NOT OBAMA. I'm so sick of this. Is it Nov. 4 yet?

OBAMA/BIDEN 08/12

Uhhhh...was it not Senator McCain who put "Joe The Plumber" in the spotlight. Talk about hypocrisy LOL

Joe the plumber was not planted! Obama showed up unannounced on his street! Uneducated people just smear because they are too lazy to do any research on the issues for themselves.

McCain never vetted Sarah Palin before introducing her, what would make you think he would vett Joe the Plumber. This guy needs to stop listening to right wing talk shows and vote for what is in his best interest. Bill Clinton said it best: “if you want to live like a republican, vote for a democrat.” Joe, stop listening to Rush and Insanity’s lies, and do what is in your best intrest.

Number 894 has a little mind and the plumber is a "plant"...else he'll make the worse business man ever.

How many Plumbers, independent plumbers, earn (bottom line) not gross, $250K? NOT MANY!! This is a plant.

What does it tell you when Joe the Plumber (a registered Republican), will continue to vote for John McCain, despite the fact the the truth proves he would benefit better tax-wise under Obama. Joe's tax arguments have been debunked by the facts but he is still wiling to vote AGAINST his finacial interests!......JOE THE PLUMBER IS THE VERY PERSON OBAMA WAS TALKING ABOUT WHEN HE SPOKE OF "PEOPLE WILL CLING TO THEIR GUNS AND RELIGION"....this guy is an idiot and doesn't understand common sense issues!

Come on McCain, you little weasel. You used Joe. You were trying to make a point and you got burned. You should of checked him out before you used him in your debbate. It backfired on you and now you are trying to blame Obama and his campaign. Another reason you and your palling around with Palin will not get you elected.

Amazing how many of you commenting have the same IP address.

You idiots don't get it...regardless of who thsi guy actually is, it's the idea he brought up. How can people buy new business' and provide jobs when they are taxed more for attempting to do so. Jobs are created becasue individuals gain wealth and create them...no because the government gets involved.

While Joe (Sam) is trying to put Obama on the spot, he should have had all of his ducks in a row. You can't even get a business license when you have a lien against you. That has to be paid first, then he can confront Obama. I think it was a set up anyway. How did McCain know his last name, when Obama was the one that met him? How did he get to be McCain's best friend all of a sudden?

See how the Obama camp deals with people who are not head over heels in love with their candidate.
Such an exciting preview of life under an Obama presidency, huh?
"O"bama
"O" = zero

what an joke . joe the not real plumber

WOW, what a bunch of lies!

Obama didn't show up at Joe's house, and he wasn't in Joe's driveway – he was with a crowd in the middle of a street, probably one not even in Joe's neighborhood. Joe approached Obama with a question that Obama thoroughly answered. Joe claimed to be a plumber getting ready to purchase a business, which was a lie.

McCain is a liar – and so is Joe.

The McCain campaign did not vet Joe the way they did not Palin. This is a typical testament to McCain’s erratic character. He jumps into anything without checking if there is a way out. This kind of approach did not work for Bush and definitely, we do not need another like that.

Joe the plumber is Joe the disaster for the McCain campaign; he does not need more gaffes. Poor McCain, he is shooting himself in the foot again.

First of all how can you be undecided when Obama's plan help's you,Oh i for you don't want any help from the govenment, not even social security! Joe you smell bad real bad, your a plant I want all Barack Obama -Joe Biden supportersto quit talking about joe the so called plumber he's designed to distract people from MCbush-MCpalin& bush.

how many plumbers make two-hundred -fifthythousand dollars a year the guy does'nt even pay taxes he makes 40k a year ,Yeah he's a plant, i hope he get's investigated for breaking the law ,him and his boss you know you need a licsend to be a plumber

Obama did NOT come to his house. He came OUT and went to Obama with his question intended to "corner" Obama. That he has said himself. McCain caused the intense scrutiny, not Obama.

It's not "Joe" that's getting smeared. It's McCain, and rightly so, for using this man in such a truth-distorting way. The guy should be featured by the Obama campaign, since with his actual income he would get a bigger tax break than under McCain. And I don't think "smear" is even the right word for when you get caught lying.

Sen Obama only used "Joe the plumber" as an example of someone he spoke about tax policy.......and John McCain was the one who used Joe the plumber over and over again in the debate!!!!!
Now all of a sudden it's Sen Obama's fault that this guy is getting too much attention....John Mccain thought is was a smart move to use this guy and once again things have backfired!!!
We must all be responsible for our actions and if you make stupid mistakes you have to live with it.......so can we move on from Joe and talk about things that really matter to this country!!!!

Actually, Obama came to his street John...Samuel (his real name) came over to ask Obama a question.

So it's SAM's fault for asking, it's YOUR fault for constantly bringing him up during the debate, and it's HIS FAULT for not paying his taxes, not getting his license and for agreeing to all those network interviews!

Why isn't McCain falling in the polls every single day? He's smearing, he's lying, he's running the most vile race I've ever seen?

Wake up people! He's not an option if you want America to rise from the rubble of the Bush administration!!!

This One is voting for That One!

WAKE UP AMERICA
MCCAIN STARTED THIS STUPID JOE THING AT THE DEBATE
I AM SO SICK OF THIS MCCAIN AND PLAIN ARE A JOKE
DISGUSTING

Is it true that the plumber from Ohio has a tax lien on his property and
the business he works for has a gross of $100,000 and his income
is $40,000 annualy

Joe's a fraud. He lied when he asked the question to Obama, who took five minutes of his time to respond to a lie-based question. Can anyone imagine McCain spending five minutes explaining his policy to an Obama supporter? They wouldn't even be able to get close enough to ask the question in the first place.

Now they want everyone to leave poor Joe alone, like he's Sarah Palin and no one's allowed to ask questions. If this blows up in McCain's face and in Joe's face, that's what they get.

JOHN McCAIN BROUGHT JOE THE PLUMBER INTO THE HEADLINES NOT OBAMA.
HOW LOW IS McCAIN AND HIS SIDEKICK, THE VILLAGE IDIOT FROM ALASKA GOING TO GO TO GET ELECTED. THEY ARE THE MOST HATEFULL POLITICIONS TO EVER RUN FOR OFFICE.

Umm he's the one(the plumber) that's been doing interviews and McCain/Palin are the ones that keep bringing him up. McCain is too weird for me. blames everyone, but himself.

Hey McCain: "Joe" the "Plumber" did not ask you to make him a political football!

YOU sir, brought Joe into the debate to deflect attention from yourself, and USING voters in this way for your own political gain is distasteful on your part.

McCain is doing it again! He puts another unvetted unprepared person to the national stage under intense scrutiny and they, Palin and the fake Joe plumber both FAILED!

We have some very uneducated responses here. Obama and BIden slam Joe and quesiton his truthfullness just as they do to anyone who doesn't agree with their policies and apparantly based on some of the idiot responses here it carries over. Americans should have to take a critical thinking course befoe they attempt to speak politics. Your biases angle has not support whatsoever. Clearly Obama is a liar and that is supported with tons of evidence including his skirting around his terrorist ties. Do some research before you start saying stupid stuff and get some new material because the "mcsame" dysphemism is getting old.

Well, duh, of course, he is smeared. He asked the Chosen One a direct question. GASP! See the problem isn't what he asked, it was the "honest" answer that Odumbo gave which showed his true intentions. These fricking, lying-to-our-faces, 95% tax cut is nothing but taking income from the haves and giving to the have-nots. When he finishes with that BS, he would then start building his socialist programs. He will then begin "spreading the wealth" and come after your IRAs, 401Ks, and every other bit of savings you have. He's a fricking Marxist!

Typical Liberal attack media. Ignore the issue and destroy the individual.

We all knew that Obama and his imbecile running mate Biden ("jobs is a three letter word" and "stand up Chuck") are not capable of keeping their mouths shut. "Share the wealth" are the three words that are going to break the liberals hearts on November 4, 2008.

when the chickens come to roost, they bring lots of it

This guy voted in the republican primary – he was baiting Obama and now he's all over the news spewing his conservative talking points. McDrama wins another news cycle talking about nothing but drama. I lost half my income and my house has dropped 60% in value – let's talk about that.

Joe Republican,
Appears to me that your candidate threw this guy out and now that the media exposes him for a tax cheat and liar, you blame Obama for being honest when asked a question? Get a life.

I'am so proud right now to be a dem.All americans should be ashamed of the rnc.If i were a rep. i would stand up to my party for using these kinds of tactics.it is a disgrace to our country.Countryfirst?

John brought the guys name up, and he wanted the attention or he would not have done the morning news circuit. The guy opened himself up for the smears by speaking hypothetically about buying a business he is not qualified to purchase. Oh yeah pay your taxes buddy!

For the McSame/Failin campaign to blame Obama for all this exposure is ridiculous! I mean, who brought up Joe the Plumber to begin with? If not for McSame, Joe would have been just another ordinary guy that Obama was soliciting support from.

McSame brought all this attention to the guy.......SHEESH!!

You people are pathetic. Liberals are so scared the chosen one won't win, they have to resort to smearing an everyday american,...now thats sad

HEY JOE! Now that media is investigating your background, along with the FBI, CIA, IRS and Homeland Security............do you have another question for Obama?

The man just repeated something he heard with little idea about how the plan would affect him. The fact that he does not make anywhere near the $250,000.0 braket where tax would marginally adjust tell us a lot about him.

He would actually benefit from Obama's plan. He is a strange fellow.

Landslide Obama/Biden 08/12.

1st the democrats were worried about Palin ( a normal every day person)

Now the democrats are worried about Joe the Plumber, another normal every day person.

Hmmmmm

Why are the democrats so worried about NORMAL every day people???

Maybe it is because the democrats are out of touch.

Okay...is it me or is John McCain channeling shades of the infamous fictitional Colnel Kurtz in Coppla's Apocolypse Now? Seriously. Once a man of high esteem both as an officer and a man, gone insane in the jungles of Asia only in McCain's case the "Pro-American" parts of the USA? Things that make you go hmmm....this is defintely one of those times.

McCain should not have mentioned "Joe" 20+ times during the debate

The pure hatred and intolerance I see here from the left wingers is disturbing. It seems the left is tolerant of everything and everyone except conservatives.

Makes me scared to be a conservative under an Obama administration.

Joe plumber dosent have a license,so he cant buy a plumbing business without one.And its obvious he's a Bushee.They need to call him Joe the Idiot.From the party of dumb and dumber.

McCain brought up "Joe the Plumber" in the debate and mentioned him 21 TIMES. (Obama mentioned him 4 times.).

Just like McCain failed to do his vetting on Palin, he failed to do that for Joe. It turns out that: "Joe" isn't a plumber; made about $40K last year; isn't about to buy his boss's business; his boss's business made less that $250K; and "Joe" failed to pay his taxes last year.

Another case of poor judgment by McCain. And, by the way, all of the fact checking groups say that Obama was honest about Joe's taxes and McCain wasn't.

When will McSame learn that these dirty tricks is what has him down in the Polls. People are losing money, homes and jobs – do you think they really care about your dirty tricks McSame. No they don't!! They care about the issues. We want to know how you will change this Economic disaster and revive our 401K's and help us pay our mortgage and retain our jobs. We don't need 4 more years of McSame!!!

Whats funny is that I saw pictures on CNN earlier of an Obama rally where there were protestors with plungers and shirts saying "I am Joe the Plumber." The reason its funny is because those same people are the ones who are whinning about taxes and about being broke. I wonder why!!! Probably because they're blowing their money on plungers and home-made shirts.
If you care about your money, vote OBAMA
If you want to lose IQ points, vote McCain

Well Joe here is a piece of advice for you NEVER THROW YOURSELF IN FROM OF THE BUS AND NOT EXPECT TO BE RUN OVER BY IT.

you people are about as full of crap as a Christmas Goose.
gald I stopped being a Democrat years ago.

someone stick a sock in this dudes mouth already......what a fool!

Then why did bring him to the forefront of your pathetic campaign, Johnny Boy? You used him to try to gain an advantage and it did NOT work. McSame, YOU ARE DONE!!!! GIVE IT A REST

Joe the Plant!

McCain lied about Joe being rich, the guy even owes money from back taxes, I don’t think this should have been made public but it tells you McCain’s ambitions and attitude of I will do anything to win and election McCain did not tell the truth about Joe being rich, the guy even owes money from back taxes, I don’t think this should have been made public but it tells you McCain’s ambitions and attitude of I will do anything to win and election. We want policies that will help American people with the slowing economy, failing academic standards, infrastructure, and health care. McCain understands none of the above

McCain brought Joe the Plumber up during the debate. Does McCain think Barack Obama is personally in charge of everyone who's currently hounding him? I know where McCain can find the man responsible (also, incidentally, for the rampant deregulation of our financial system due to inaction)-by looking in the mirror.

Who cares about Joe the Plumbers background and if he actually owns a business and makes $250,000 a year. Who even cares about Joe the Plumber. The point McCain was making is that there are small business people who make $250,000+ who will be taxed more under Obama's plan. So replace Joe the Plumber with Joe the Lawyer or Joe the Dentist, the point is Obama will raise their taxes and that will make them less likely to create new jobs.

Don't blame the Democrats. Had Fox News and the McCain campaign not tried to use this guy to their political advantage, no one would know nor care who Joe the Plumber is.

It wasn't until the pundits and the McCain campaign lied about who this guy was that others looked into Joe the Plumber's background to uncover more of the same old Republican games.

It is shamless to speak and be con cerned about spreding welt WHEN WE ARE POOR. Mc Shamless is OUT OF TOUCH. DO NOT ASK ME TO SYMPATHIZE WITH THOSE EARN MORE THAN 250 000 WHEN 95 % OF US ARE TOUCHING POWERTY!!!!!!!!!!!! Thet poor brain washed like -to -belive -to -be -plamber WONT TO BELIVE HE WILL EVER BE IN POSITION TO EARN 250 000 and is concern than to be affected, but is not in touch enough to understand that has to pay bills until than or send child to school so he eventualy rely BE plamber not dream about being one. Those people are misused and is real sham we even engage in another stupidity that Mc Shameless hope to trick us . NOT THIS TIME JO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't you all get it? 'Joe the Plumber" is meant to be a metaphor for the average, hard-working American trying to get ahead. Where this falls apart is that the average, hard-working American is not someone who typically is concerned with their income over $250,000 being taxed, but that is exactly the point the McCain campaign is trying to make – they don't seem to think that the voting public realizes this is fantasy...

Shay,etal. , Senator McCain did not go to "Joe"'s house, Senator Obama did.
Jeff Brown – Who is disgusting? Look in the mirror. That language has no place in an intelligent debate. CNN – Kudos for not editing it though!!!

It's the media looking into 'Joe's' personal life, not the Obama campaign. McCain is pathetic.

Joe the plumber did not "plant" the socialist "spread the wealth" answer in Obama's mouth.

Another political blunder and desperation from McCain-Palin. This has finally convinced me to change my mind and now vote 100% Democarats. No more Republicans .

Senator McCain:
It is NOT the Obama Campaign who is digging stuff up about "your friend" Joe the Plumber. It is the intellegent people who know how to use the internet. Same crowd that vetted your VP pick better and faster than you did.
You betcha! Gotcha there now didn't we!

18 DAYS UNTIL MCCAIN AND PALIN HEAD BACK TO THE SEWER!

BETTER START PRACTICING CALLING OBAMA MR. PRESIDENT!

Everyone relax.
Joe, Sarah and John will all end up with their own shows on the FoxNews channel. Isn't that where faded Republicans go...Karl Rove, Mike Huckabee et al?

I guess John still doesn't think the truth should be told. Joe the plumber is not what McCain banked for when he started talking to him at the debate. Now he says he's that even though Joe made himself out to be something he isn't, we shouldn't know about it. Once again, Johny boy thinks we should be left in the dark. I'm telling you, the more you educate yourself on all of John's lies, the more you realize he is more of the same crap we get from Bush. Reality does not factor in John's world.

Hi Rick. I am so ashamed of America. You would think in 2008 we would be beyond this kind of hate. Sarah Palin likes Pro America parts of the country? Is that a code phrase for, communities without a high number of minorities? THere needs to be a call for her to step down, now. She is enciting racisim 2008 style, using code words. I don't care what excuses John McCain uses for his supporters, this is inexcusable. She is the one ruining his campaign,the N word has no color attached to it. Hussein ghosts, hung by a noose with Hussein written on it, Obama bucks, Monkeys with Obama stickers on it's head, and you wonder why Michelle Obama was so surprised when Barack won in Iowa by such a big number? Was she really wrong by saying,that she was really proud of America,for the first time? My husband's not running, so I can say that I am ashamed of America. Almost afraid.

Way to win over those blue-collar voters there Obama/Biden.

Wake up people- Senator Government will get your money, he's just going to get the corporations to collect it for him. Change is coming; it's name is inflation.

What exactly is McCain shooting for with these insipid accusations? He certainly can't believe that this junk is helping him in any possible way.

It's not McCain's fault. Anyone in this country who questions Obama is either, ignorant or racist, according to the media and the left. The cult personality around Obama is terrifying. His followers venemously attack anyone who questions him. It is similiar to Pol Pot, Zedong and Mussolini. Independent thinkers be scared, Obama supporters are rabid idealouges

JOE THE PLUMBER? Who is that? Certainly not the one that has been lying to the public the last few days...the one that McCain has been gushing over...what a joke? Nov 4 can't get here fast enough!!

joe republican,

with all due respect, it's your party that got us in this mess and your candidate who keeps bring up joe the plumber (liar). So, no offense, however; Obama will win because Americans are fed up with McCain/Palin and their shear stupidity...

The Dems just want to dismiss Joe, this man represents the average Joe, yes just like Biden said, Joe the policeman, Joe the construction worker and Joe the fireman! How insulting can Obama and Biden get!

This poor man just asked a question NOW he's a liar etc. etc., this is the Dems way of getting past the real issue, OBAMA will raise taxes on every "Joe"...so look out!

McCain/Palin '08!!!

Vote Ohio Vote.

You have to step up and cancel out the ignorance and lies of the GOP and Phoney Joe. Show your mettle** and do what is honest and right for your country.

**For the Republican readers. Yes that is the correct spelling and usage.
mettle, noun 1 a: vigor and strength of spirit or temperament b: staying quality : stamina

Oh, yeah. McCain/Republican party: Don't make those robo-calls to my house again in Pennsylvania. You don't even give us a chance to call you back and tell you what you can do with your slander. STOP!

Vet your plants! I would have done a better job.

Joe is not getting smeared. And I am pretty sure he saw all of the cameras following Obama BEFORE he approached him with that question. The real question for me is, What kind of plumbing business makes 250k+ a year?!? Somebody working with empty pipes, maybe? (secret code)
Look, he knew the answer before he asked that question. He knows that Obama would raise taxes on people and businesses making that kind of money. He brought this on himself

As I look over CNN's site and watching the broadcast right now, it's amazing how much time they are spending pumping up Obama and slamming McCain and Palin(or atleast trying to make them look bad).
It's sad Rick has to stir the pot like this on his show.

Joe the Fraud

Is this another Sarah Palin???

News flash, John McCain! I'm not asking you to come to the White House!!

Fascism will come to America, wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.

Nicolas127 – Obama has every right to question this moron since mccain bought him up at their debate you ignoramus. The guy isn't even a plumber, he makes 40 k a year and is not registered to vote and he walked over (stated out of his own lips) to Obama to question him. Now we find out he is a repuglican plant. Start thinking for yourself, you just might find it exhilarating.

Stop using him and you will see "Joe the Plumber " will go away!!
mcCain you started this and now that isn't going your way, you blame Obama.

Nice

You would think that if McCain was going to constantly refer to this guy on national TV they would have spent 5-10 minutes in looking into his background. Yet another erratic decision in a long line of erratic decisions by McCain. He has run the most incompetent campaign in political history.

Well, how many plumbers do you know who make $250,000 +? Not very many.

Here come McCain again blaming the Obama campaign for Joe the Plumber problem. It was Senator McCain who through Joe the Plumber in the limelight. His campaign is responsible for the media attention. I wish McCain, with his bald head would start paying attention to what he is doing and stop blaming Senator Obama for all of the woes of the world. If it happens and it doesn't suit McCain, then it is Senator Obama who caused the problem.

I can't wait until November 4 then I won't have to hear McCain or that pig with lipstick, Sarah Palin.

Got to wonder why palin asked Joe Biden at the debate, can I call you Joe? Was it a set up for this joe.
Furthermore, why is CNN wasting time following joe stories. It is nonsense.

I there an;y brainy people in the repg party or do they think that their voters are this dump.

Also, CNN your reporting and demands on the ACORN org. reminds me of the night you demanded that the officials in Ohio answer why their votes had not been reported on Hillary Clinton.

While are you more demanding on mccain and palin stories, e.g.
verizion providing cell phone tower, SIP party that todd belong, people being forced to act ugly at mccain rallies, or that palin has not been on any of CNN program.

No, you rather report on none stories just joe. Say it aint so CNN.

You CAN be a plumber and work for a plumbing company. Its called being in an apprentice program. Its the start of working your way up. You can't just go get a license without proper training. And how can you be a plant if you're in your own driveway? Obama is proving once again that he is a low life.

Joe the plumber doesn't exist. Next time you hire a surrogate McCain please verify that he is an upstanding citizen that pays his taxes.

He didnt ask to be put in the middle of the debate but thats what Sen. McCain did and now hes blaming Sen Obama for the news media being all over his yard, camped outside his house. Truely you forgot that you were the one that put him out front.

Are ya serious Johnny?! LOL
Not a registered voter
Not a licensed plumber
Not even a plumber, only a plumber's helper
Has a tax lien of over $1k
A liar
A fraud
Related to Charles Keating.
Had a reporter in his living room during the debate because..??? Because he's a PLANT.
Um yeah.. nice vetting Johnny. Now hush up and pretend just the teensiest bit of dignity.

C'mon Joe, get your license!
I've got mine, and make 50K, not 250K.

Maybe you're better off without it.

Absolutely! McCain mentioned him in the debate, not Obama! McCain was the one trying to make a point, but it ended up being false information. McCain smeared this guy!

Wow. Pretty desperate of you McCain. Sam put himself out there by asking a question and McCAIN is the one who tried to use him for personal political gain...apparently with Sam's blessing. You don't get to step in the ring and be the only one throwing punches.

Mccain just cannot stop making idiotic statements.. How is it a smear to say that most plumbers don't make $250,000?!?!?! It is a fact of life! Does McCain not understand that 1/4 of a million dollars is ALOT of money?!?!

Just like the Sarah Palin debacle, McCain has once again rushed to grab on to someone he thinks will help his case. All the news about Joe the "non-plumber" has been bad as people dig deeper into his background. I find it hard to believe that Joe was not a plant. McCain certainly seemed to know what he thought was sufficient information about the man in time for Thursday's debate. The covers are coming off and as McCain keeps coming up with zero, his only tactic is to fall back on the Rove playbook of repeating lies so often that they might be believed. "Fascism will come to America, wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross"

People should just leave Joe the Plumber alone. McCain used this man mercilessly for his own purposes.

I bet Joe will write a book... Just hope it makes $249,000

I'm sorry...was it not McCain who brought "Joe" into the mix by mentioning him about 2 dozen times during the debate on Wednesday....?? This guy is a joke.

Obama isn't sending people to dig into his life...McCain was the one that threw him into the spotlight...just like he did Palin. We didn't have a choice, and he didn't throw him into it as an individual, but as a representation for small struggling business owners as a concept. The media and people in general had no choice but to see if there was any truth to this and if the concept was a valid one. The more they are digging, the more they are finding that this is not a vaild concept, but he is not what we were told he was. I would hate to think the GOP is so desperate that they had to manufacture this "Joe the Plumber" to catch Obama off guard...if they are...well I guess there is no bottom to the depths they are willing to sink to get elected. That should be a major warning sign right there...if it isn't...well then you are blinded by money, greed, anger, racism, etc...

This is one situation where the devil you know (Bush/McCain) can't possibly be better than the devil you don't...

This just goes to show the Democrats-including Biden and Obama's character. Let's smear someone just because he disagrees. Ridiculous! The key is if you want to "spread the wealth" then vote Obama if you want others to work hard for their wealth and not be handed your $$ then vote McCain/Palin.

Listen, this guy could have asked his question and then gone away. Instead, he decided to spend 10 hours yesterday talking to reporters in his front lawn. Everyone in America knows what happens when you bask in the spotlight for that long.

It is interesting to note that this guy doesn't really stand up to the image of him that McCain is trying to portray. He asked Obama about making $250K, yet the company only makes $100K. If he can increase that company's earnings by 150%, it sounds to me like we should be voting for him for President!

well, mccain, YOU brought him into this election, not Obama. He certainly didn't feel bery comfortable being the topic of everyone's conversation, and probably feels totally under pressure due to the media's natural response to investigate, dig, and report.

But it was you, MCIDIOT, who brought this onto Joe The Plumber – YOU exposed him to the media circus, and now you have the audacity to blame Obama?

I'm laughing because FINALLY America is seeing through the preposterous slime perpetuated every 4 years by the Republican party. At least, I HOPE it sees it. Just ask yourself one question: would you raise your children to act and smear a fellow citizen the way these hateful, deceitful, win-at-all-costs Republican campaign strategists are acting?

McCain has lost all his faculties. He lies when the truth would fit better and it was him and his campaign that dragged the Republican into the spotlight. Whoever said McCain has any honor doesn't have much knowledge about the definition of honor.

McCain and Palin are on the fringe of society with their desperate and hateful rhetoric. CNN you are being reduced to FOX with your biased reporting.

Want to report the truth then report on the McCain and Palin skeletons as there are lots to talk about.

Why is McSame harboring someone who doesn't pay his taxes? Doesn't that mean this guy is anti-American Gov't – just like the Taliban?!

joe needs to be smeared and so do the rep. for even trying something this low.

Dude, it wasn't Senator Obama who raised the issue of 'Joe the Plumber' about 14 million times – it was you. You are the reason all the media showed up on his doorstep, and you kept it up the next day and into the next evening. 'Joe' could have stopped it by refusing to talk to the media, and you could have stopped it by dropping it.

Leave the NORMAL American dude alone!

It was YOU McCain that kept bring him up in the debate and it was Joe that came out to the media doing interviews and lying.

What did you think would happen?

Joe "The Plumber" is not as much of an issue as McCain "The Stuntman."

Obama/Biden 08!

Joe the Plumber is yet another mis-step of the McCain campaign. It shows how they don't think things through and make rushed and rash decisions. This guy wasn't vetted.

He's not a plumber and his name isn't even Joe! He owes back taxes!

This is a complete joke. Go home "Joe"...

More like, "Joe the Astroturfer."

The salary of the Vice President of United States of America is less than $250,000 a year.

So Mccain make a big deal out this guy at the debate, uses his name over 20 times, and he did not think that the media would not want to know about this guy...come on they were talking to him after the debate.
Obama had nothing to do with the news trucks , and the looking into him...it was you..McCain...by making a big thing out of him. What the hell did you expect...
Sort of like you thinking that you could pick Palin and no one would question you...
Another sign of bad judegment Mr. McCain,..in this time of a 24/7 news cycle you could not seriously think that mentioning this person as much as you did in the dabte, and after that the media was not going to find out who this guy is.
Funny thing is your campaign did not vet this..they put you out there ..he is not a plumber but a contractor, has no license, and in the countyr he is in byt thier own admission he needs to be licensed he cannot work of his employers license, and he make 40k a year which means he benefits from obama's plan, and had no interest in buying the busineess////this makes you look like a fool McCain..stop blaming your lack of judgement and chacking on Obama...you caused this disruptionin this mans life...no Obama

He is a McCain plant who made up his entire back story. His name is not Joe, he is not a plumber, he makes about $40,000/year and the company that he works for makes around $100,000/year. To top it all off, it was McCain who kept bringing him up at the debate.

The Republicans used to be so clever about toying with the opposition that you almost had to admire it. Now, they've just become so, so sad.

He was a thoroughly vetted as Caribou Barbie.

Hey Joe, how about those back taxes? You're gonna pull down $250k a year, right?

In your dreams..................

McLame brought his name up at the debate. Maybe Joe should have paid his taxes before he started shooting his mouth off about Barack taxing him like a socialist. Gimme a break.

False outrage. Republicans revel in it.

Wow! What a bunch of vitriol-spewing haters. Does it matter what or who "Joe" is? Did he not ask a question that Obama answered badly? None of you seem to be interested in that part. If a company makes $250 K under an Obama administration, they can look forward to the goverment taking it away and "spreading the wealth" around to others who do not have the smarts or drive to go out and make their own way in the world.

Welcome to Socialist America.

Good for Joe...!

Perhaps a few others like him will learn the virtue of self-comportment. Joe had no reason to hold himself out or should have refused to be – USED to put Obama on the spot – as some have argued.

This Joe has been proven to be way less-than-average. I hope he has learned from this experience. What a way to be remembered every time a presidential election comes along.

Guys like Joe who dig pits for others to fall in often forget where these pits are located and tend to fall into their own trap. Joe has been branded and does not deserve my sympathy.

HOW IRONIC . . .

'Joe the Plumber' thought he was setting a trap for Senator Obama, , ,

, , , but now Joe finds him self in the very hole he dug for an honorable man that is truly to trying to help 95% of the American workers. Joe got what he deserved.

GOD Bless the United States of America!
GOD Bless the Obama-Biden Leadership Team!

McCain is unbelievable!

Joe the "fake" Plumber (knowing cameras were present) sought out Obama.

Then McCain (without permission) announces this guys last name to an audience or 60 Million!

Now everyone is finding out that Joe the "fake" Plummer lied.

Hmmmm... seems the only person that should NOT be blamed for this fiasco is Obama.

Wink-Wink,

Yep. The Republicans "planted" Joe the Plumber in his own driveway for an unscheduled Obama campaign detour through that neighborhood.

ESP? The X-Files? A "mole" in Obama's campaign who set up? What do you figure?

is it just me or is McCain losing it? Enough of this Joe guy.

I heard that the guy is grandson of Keating..the person Mccain
is palling with...

Can someone please show me one iota of proof that Joe the Plumber was a Republican plant? As far as his name goes, his middle name is Joseph which is where his nickname Joe comes from. And then there's this nonsense that he is related to Keating. He happens to share the same last name as Keating's son-in-law. That's it. He's not the brother of Keating's son-in-law, he's not Keating's stepson or his grandson as people keep posting. Democrats spread just as many lies and false rumors as Republicans.

Yeah McCain, go ahead and blaim it on Obama...considering you're the one who brought him up in the debate 20 times. If you wouldn't have mentioned "Joe the plumber," we still wouldn't know who he is. In other words, you may want to rethink some of the things you say because they may backfire just like this one did.

Joe's an unlicensed tax cheat, and you guessed it, Joe's a flat out liar.......

You Obamanuts are a funny lot.

You'll attack anyone who disagrees with you.

Pathetic.

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Joe should not be the focus...

What is important are OBAMA'S WORDS TO JOE:

"I...THINK...THAT...WHEN ....WE ...SPREAD...THE...WEALTH...AROUND...IT"S...GOOD...FOR...EVERYBODY."

...Spreading their wealth is something that Americans do on their own volition, from the goodness of their hearts. It's not something that a socialist government mandates!!!

Hands out of my pocket, OBAMA!!!

Why is McCain such an unreliable man? He talked so nicely about his respect for Sen. Obama at the dinner yesterday, yet he is falsely accussing Obama of "Joe the Plumber" smear? I guess it he way of covering up that they lied about "Joe the Plumber" who they never vetted. Now that they found out that they screwed up, they are accusing Obama of smears!
McCain you and Palin are incredible phonies!! Stop your quest for disunity of USA, it is segregation your are creating and it has nothing to do with patriotism!

REPULICAN ASKING OTHER REPUBLICANS TO SEND THE MESSAGE TO WASHINGTON THAT WE ARE FED UP BY VOTING DEMOCRATE. What is the matter with McCain. He single handedly drew this guy into the spot light, not Obama. ****** And Someone tell me why does McCain keep saying he would not meet with all these different country leaders without preconditions being met? Worse case scenario, a hostage taking, we still want our police to meet with the hostage taker to talk him down, to a positive result. Why would we want less from our President? We do not have to negotiate with them, just sit down and reason with them to a positive result. ******** Fellow republicans we need new leadership, lets send the message and vote democratic this election; it will be my first time.

If the media is curious about him then so be it, but don't pretend it is the Obama campaign out to discredit him. McCain has become so deceitful of late, and his campaign so evasive and negative (I heard Tucker Bounds on XM today – what a liar), that it seems if they have nothing else to talk about then they're cooked.

It used to be that I could have voted for McCain – he's the only Republican I could have – but not anymore. Sad.

Joe the Plumber has done more press conferences in two days that Sarah Palin - who wants to be the vice-president of the U.S., a heartbeat away from the Oval Office - has in the past month.

These Democrats are hateful and racists individuals Thank god I am a Republican.

Sen.Mcacin was the one who threw the plumber to the wolves. He mentioned him 21 times in the debate to further his campaign.

There are some hateful people on this thread. Sad. By the way, Joe doesn't make $250,000, the business he wants to buy would bring in that much money. Obama and Biden are twisting the issue.

Joe the Plumber is just another distraction fro0m the McCain campaign.

It's sickening that CNN keeps repeating all their most silly talking points. This is not information.

OH COME ON. You can't put this guy out there as your poster child for the regular guy, then whine when the press wants to know more about him.

McCain to blame in all this Joe mess, the guy might benefit more from Obama’s tax cut that from McCain, look at what the media is portraying even how much he owes in back taxes, but if Joe is bright enough he might go Obama than McCain, McCain camp talking Joe but doing little to help people like Joe. So Joe I have a piece of advice for you, you might gain more from Obama that from McCain who are trying to use you to win an election in reality McCain camp won’t help Joe not from their tax policies, or deregulation of financial institutions

There is a good reason Joe Biden doesn't know any plumbers in his neighborhood. They can't afford to live in the lap of luxury like Joe Biden, with an estate on a few acres of lake front property. Why doesn't anyone call on Joe Biden' neighbors? You know, the blue collar working Joes he quotes so often. I bet you dont find too many that live in his neighborhood.

"Joe" the plumber is a Republican plant. He presented a widely hypothetical question thus giving the false impression he is ready to purchase a plumbing business on $40,000 a year, a plumbing business that is not even for salewhen (1) he only earns $40,000 a year and (2) the business is not even for sale.

You guys are insane. Leave this guy alone. He asked a question and Obama answered it. Whats the problem? Does anything in this guy's background negate the fact that Obama said "spread the wealth around?" Just asking.

What else do democrats know how to do??

Well, Joe, that's the price you pay for being a secret agent for McCain!

I think Joe the plumber is a plant by McCain. The Republican Party is a disgrace. McCain's campaign is centered around Joe the Plumber.

If you vote forMcCain you will have Palin 1 breath away from President. Palin can riots all of the time then. McCain is responsible for the hate that Palin is spewing.

Geez, give this Joe the Plumber garbage a rest.
Obama's campaign isn't the one that discovered the dirt on old Joe. The press, in doing what they're supposed to do–verifying the information- found he has no plumber's license (nor apprenticeship or journeymanship), and that he owes back taxes.
I'm betting old Joe now wishes he had never become McCain's poster boy.
The McCain camp needs to get back to the issues and quit trying to distract the public with every little piddly side story they can come up with. I am SO tired of this childish behavior by the Republican party. This is why I have become a "former" Republican– they no longer represent me.

man knowone can talk except Mc Cain.......because he cries if Obama or Biden says anything.......this is the guy that reffered to a coleague as "That One"........

McCain is an idiot.... the plumber's question was stupid since he isn't a licensed plumber and since he's not in that tax bracket... and why SHOULDN'T the taxes of someone making a quarter of a million dollars a year be raised?

McCain LOSES

It's amazing how the only comments posted are pro-Obama. CNN is a joke! It's getting almost as bad as MSNBC.

Joe the "plumber" deserves to get "smeared"! He flat lied to Senator Obama. He makes 40 K, and has about as much chance of buying a $250,000 NET PROFIT business as he has of winning the lottery!

It is funny how people who are pro-Obama think that every less than average work from Obama is a sign of greatness (lets face it, Obama's job record is just the bare minimum work for the job), but a simple real question from a regular guy makes him an evil person.

"He wasn't recruited or prompted by our campaign. He just asked a question," McCain said at Friday's Miami rally. "

Methinks he doth protest too much (and the truth is not with him).

You could stick him in a big flower pot, and he couldn't be more of a "plant!"

Ok, from now on no serious news organization is allowed to report on Joe the Plumber

You know what, McCain? You should blame yourself for shovelling Joe into the spotlight. Joe may have not asked Obama to come to his house, but he sure as hell didn't ask you to bring him up. Now his back-taxes and license-lacking job are for the entire world to see.

If you think he's getting smeared John, then why the heck don't you shut up about him!! You're the one who doesn't stop talking about him AND you were the one that brought him up first at the debate the other night! Talk about doublespeak!!

"Americans ought to be able to ask Senator Obama tough questions without being smeared and targeted with political attacks."

... yeah... attacks like "this is gotcha journalism."

You people at cnn should pay attention

Joe did not say he was making 250 thousand dollars a year.

Why do you have to sensationalize everything? You enjoy starting trouble.

Joe the Plumber said that if he were to make 250 thousand dollas a year would he be taxed more than someone not making that much. Get the story straight once in a while, you might have more readers.

Joe could not have been a plant you Liberal knuckleheads. Obama showed up at Joe's house to ask for his vote. It was supposed to be a PR stunt for Obama, the kind where politicians go foor to door to ask for votes. Obama showed up at his house. How could he have been a plant????? He just dared to ask "THE GREAT ONE" a question, unlike you lemmings who follow him blindly. Obama admitted he was a Socialist. Joe does not deserve what you fools are doing to him. I thought Democrats were for the average person? I guess not!!!!!!!!

"He wasn't recruited or prompted by our campaign. He just asked a question," McCain said at Friday's Miami rally. "

Methinks he doth protest too much (and the truth is not with him).

You could stick him in a big flower pot, and he couldn't be more of a "plant!"

John Mccain brought Joe in by mentioning His name every 5 seconds during the debate. He has You to thank John. I'm sure He'll forgive you since you and He are such great pals!!

Yes, of course; it is entirely Obama's fault that the guy is a liar and a tax cheat.

Mr. "Joe the Plumber" is playing the pubic. He only makes in the 40's, has a lien against him for back taxes and it is clear from his first interview he was 100% McCain supporter.

McCain threw this man into the spotlight and Mr. Joe the Plumber was loving ever minute of it until he started to get vetted. "Joe" been vetted better then Palin...now that's sad!!!!

lots of group think on this message board. i bet its carvel posting all the messages.

Wasn't the economy "issue #1"?

CNN why are you repeating each and every talking point and/or distraction coming from the McCain campaign?

I'm getting fed up.

Maybe Joe's starting to learn that when you lay down with dogs, you're bound to get fleas.

The media is always digging into people's lives. The fact that McCain raised his name several times in the debate opened that door. To blame Obama for this is juvenile.

ANOTHER DAY OF THE MCCAIN CAMPAIGN ITRYING TO DISTRACT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FROM OUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE!!! IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THOSE WHO ARE SUPPORTING THE OBAMA/BIDEN TICKET JUST VOTE AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO VOTE. ONCE AGAIN THE MCCAIN/PALIN TICKET IS TRYING TO DISTRACT US FROM THE REAL ISSUES.

NOT THIS TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE POST THIS COMMENT CNN!!

Why don't they pick an issue instead of a person - Wright, Ayers, Joe?

This guy is a straight up liar. Why should anyone care about his plight? If he's not man enough to come up with a ligitimate question from his own experience then he needs to go back to his make believe world. Joe the Plumber is just another representation of a major problem in America. Wannabees and frauds in pursuit of the filthy coin. He's ashamed he's not making 250K yearly. Wow it's called the real world my friend.....

Granted, "Joe the Plumber" was not prompted by the McCain campaign to ask the imfamous question of Sen. Obama. But McCain sure pimped him out during the debate. Now that there is a lot of contradictory information coming out about the so-called "Plumber", well I say he deserves all the attention he's getting – nogative or otherwise...

Now that it has been proven that Joe will indeed get a tax CUT from Obama's plan, McCain is whining about him.

Uh, no he is not getting smeared, he is getting vetted and unfortunately for him he was not telling the whole truth.
So, Joe enjoy your fame and deal with it cause the next time you open your mouth have your personal facts straight because it will be investigated.

Funny part about it he will vote for McCain and will not benefit one bit from his tax plan. Really shows how smart these "Joe's" tend to be for McCain. LOL

McCain, you are the one that brought this gentleman up at the debate.

Enough is enough!

CNN why are you amplifying each and every talking point coming from the McCain campaign?

If you have endorsed McCain, please have the honesty to inform your viewers/readers.

please move on this is crazy

When a person steps into the spotlight, somebody is going to call you on your mistakes.

Joe advertised himself as being asuccessful small businessman on national TV.

Guess he isn't in the top 4% of wage earners worried about a return to pre-Bush tax rates.

Fraud!

I am confused – Since when is telling the truth about someone a smear? Its not like they are making stuff up about him! – Ow that rights it the MCCain Palin campaign that does that. Standard operating procedure for he Repugs to try to balme others and lie/distrort the truth.

Same old McCain – fails to vet his picks and then whines and cries like a baby when people point out how bad they are.

And people think this is good judgement? God help us all!!!

Joe was not smeared. He was just represented for what he was or was this another SECRET like the unethical judgements of Palin that you wished to keep. Mccain is like a 2 year old, if you don't agree it aint right. This will be your President if you don't wise up. I don't think he will pull that with Putin when he 'rears his head over there'. Give it some thought. We need solid judgement and healthcare!!! Obama/Biden

I believe the comments about joe "the plummer" during the debate and about him being an average person are a complete scam. I think he was totally planted by the republican campaign and it was a low blow to Obama.I also have yet to meet a plummer with such a good salary so he seems pretty phony. I also think Obama was just being honest by answering the question, unlike the republicans.

I'm sorry that Joe doesn't pay his taxes. I'm also sorry he's not a plumber. I'm even more sorry that he doesn't make $250,000, because I'd love to give him a tax hike.

Get a real issue, McCain. Trying to make this about some fake "Joe" character is not the way to address my economic problems.

Yikes!
This is getting out of hand.
Joe the Plumber asked a question of Obama, inferring that he was afraid he might be negatively affected by Obama's tax plan.
It isn't "smearing" Joe the Plumber by making it clear that regular folks with jobs like plumbers aren't going to be negatively affected because they aren't earning a quarter million dollars per year.
And, if Joe the Plumber didn't want anyone to find out that he doesn't even have a license to be a plumber, he might have thought about that before he agreed to put himself before the national media for interviews that would put him in the spotlight.

That being said, I definitely do not think Joe Biden ought to have a word to say about whether or not Joe the Plumber is licensed.
I'm voting Obama, but seriously, everyone needs to just leave this guy out of the race.

Don't expect people to not call you out on it.

Barack Obama's plans cuts taxes for 95% of Americans, but Joe won't get help because Obama doesn't pay the taxes you already owe for you.

Joe admits he doesn't make $250K. So why is he saying, "Oh, man, look at this car & this house I've got. Man, these tax increases for people who make over $250K are going to hit me sooo hard."

Get to $250K before you can start judging how it's going to hurt you from where you're at at $50K or less, dude.

And McCain, stop crying about people smearing your plants. Stop planting people. That's a real strategy.

McCain needs to stick to the issues. He is making a distaster out of this poor guy.....he did only ask a question, McCain is trying to give him pity.

I do not think Obama or Biden were out of line in saying most plumbers do not make $250K per year. I don;t think that is offensive or attacking, it is just a simple fact.

McCain says Joe the plumber didn't ask for this...no John he didn't ...how many times have you brought him up?

I don't understand McCain's arguement here....someone please explain!

HEY OBAMA SUPPORTERS,

WHAT IS AMAZING TO ME ABOUT YOU PEOPLE ARE YOU ARE VOTING FOR OBAMA BASED ON HIS SPEECHES. THATS IT!!!!!!!!

HE HAS NO EXPERIENCE.
NO FOREIGN EXPERIENCE.
A VERY QUESTIONABLE BACKGROUND.

DON'T YOU GET IT OBAMA IS JUST READING FROM HIS SPEECH WRITERS. THATS IT!!!!!!!

I AM SICK OF YOU PEOPLE TALKING 8 MORE YEARS OF BUSH.
HES NOT BUSH. ACTUALLY OBAMA VOTED WITH BUSH WHEN HE WORKED OR SHOWED UP AS MUCH AS MC CAIN SO GET OVER IT. YOU PEOPLE HAVE NO CLUE OR YOU WOULD NOT VOTE FOR HIM.

IT IS AMAZING HOW GULLIBLE THE TYPICAL AMERICAN IS.
FIND SOMEONE TO TELL YOU WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR THEN VOTE FOR HIM OR HER. PLEASE LOOK PAST ALL THE WORDS, COMPLETE SOME RESEARCH AND GET EDUCATED. ONCE YOU DO THAT TRUST ME YOU WILL VOTE FOR MC

just like john mccain didnt do a good job picking is v.p. he didnt do a good job of picking someone to base the whole debate around. not only is he not a licensed plumber but he owes back taxes AND has no plans to buy his bosses business that DOESNT make 250k a year it only makes 100k and HE only makes 40k a year and would BENEFIT from obamas tax plan. AH! the whole republican party is a joke. and to now try to blame obama for this guy being in the spotlight? please...does anyone with a brain even listen to this crap anymore??

Get over it, McCain. He's a relative of Charles Keating who owes back taxes and knew when he confronted Obama that he didn't make the money he claimed to. It's called personal repsonsibility and Joe the Plumber made a bad choice. That McCain decided to make the third debate all about this man, was just another in a long line of bad decisions by the Arizona Senator.

Don't blame people who went and found out the truth. Blame yourself for not doing so from the start.

Whether a plumber makes $250,000 is not the issue. The issue is Obama's answer to the question. The fact is, Obama will raise taxes on ALL people making over $250,000 a year. There are many small business owners, including owners of plumbing companies, that do make over $250,000. These are the same small companies that create jobs in our economy. These businesses will not be able to expand if forced to pay over taxes so we can "spread the wealth around." Obama nad his supporters don't get it!

Hey, Obama – are you 'swift boating' Joe? You better worry – at the NC State Fair last night, McCain stickers outnumbered Obama stickers twenty to one.

the new hero of the Republicans, Joe the Plummer. Well he does fit the mole. He is a Liar and a Cheater! He will have a bright future in the Republican Party of years to come! Well that if Uncle Sam doesn't get to hime first, tax evader.

As far as I know 250,000 dollars in taxable income for a small business after all the deductibles means a lot of money earned!
The plumber is definitely much rich then many professionals with higher degrees! I think he could pay 600 $ in more taxes to improve our schools and our health care system and contributing to the society!!

Joe is probably an ok guy but some things just don't add up. Lots of people have dreams to have their own business or do a small start up which may be the best way to go for a good plumber without spending $250K up front. But reality must set in for Joe. Anyone knows you must pay off bad debt and tax liens or you are just not going to have a good line of credit to run a business.

Straw man politics.

Times are tough, John. If you can't handle it, maybe you should have let Rudy run? Or at least picked yourself a competent VP to lend a hand.

Poor John.

Before McSame decides to use a prop, he should do his homework. Unlicensed, Unlegal plummer

Forget Joe, if he's really making a 250'000 a year, he's blessed. How about Pam the nurse, Steve the firefighter or Susan the teacher? This political game just around one person is ridiculous!

WHO CARES ABOUT JOE?!

Honestly – it was McCain camp that jumped all over Joe plumber anyway, so then Obama is attacked for defending his policies against the smears that McCain brought on? McCain needs to get off of Joe and focus on his own policies. Obama has been doing that and oh – look at the polls! "Straight Talk" means actually talking about real stuff, not using poor plumbers that just ask a question as a talking point and a focus for an entire campaign. Its absolutely nuts. I know AZ's electorals will unfortunately go to McCain – but I want my choice to be known and known clear.

OBAMA for President.

JOE REPLAY THE DEBATE AND YOU WILL SEE SEN. MCCAIN STARTED THIS TACKY MESS.

YES, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO ASK QUESTIONS. SEN. OBAMA IN FACT ANSWERED YOU. WELL YOUR ADDITIONAL 14 MINUTES OF FAME CAME AT THE EXPENSE OF THE MCCAIN PICK PALIN INSANE CAMPAIGN.

(but joe you didn't help much by giving all those interviews the morning after)

Joe don't be fool by McCain, really he is not your friend. Listen and factcheck what Obama plan will provide for small business.

Obama

This "Joe the plumber" stuff cracks me up!! I heard good ole' Joe on the radio the other day, telling his side of the story....and it doesn't match John McCain's story. Apparently, Barack was in his neighborhood greeting folks, and Joe and his son were tossing a football in their yard...when they noticed the commotion down the street. So, Joe and his little plumber went to check it out, and HE approached Barack Obama, and yelled his question out about being taxed on a company( that he doesn't own ye)t. Gotta love the Republicans though....it was John McCain that thrust ole' Joe into the spotlight, so I think that he should be held responsible for all of the backlash that is coming.

McCain is the one that did this to the poor guy!!! He plunged (excuse the pun) him into the spot light not Obama!! What did he think was going to happen?? McIdiot ruins another life!

Obama may have talked to Joe the Plumber, but McCain is the one who anointed him as the poor guy who will be taxed when he invoked his name on national television. How dare McCain accuse Obama of causing Joe's 15 min. of fame when clearly it was JMcC who was responsible.

Give it up John. Your tactics are desperate. Look in the mirror if you want to see who put Joe in this position.

"
Joe the plumber" has been proven to be a fake and not who he represents himself to be - most probably a plant.

These Robo-calls should be illegal. They are promoting and inciting people to rage. McCain and Paline and all their lobbiest advisors should be charged with Hate crimes and slander.

I am watching a news cast right now showing an effigy of Obama hanging in a tree!!!!!

These Republicans need to be held accountable!!!
Haven't they done enough in the last 8 years to destroy our country???

OH GOOD LORD!!!!

It was McCain that threw this "so-called" plumber into the spot light and now he's blaming Obama. Obama has nothing to do with the public digging into his personal life.

No one would have really cared about this guy if it wasn't for McCain bringing him up 22 times during the debate.

CNN I'm afraid I missed the "PoliticalTicker" item where you announced that you are endorsing John McCain.

You guys are just quoting/repeating all the most stupid McCain/GOP talking points and distractions without any kind of analysis whatsoever.

Wasn't the economy issue #1?

He isn't being smeared...McCain is attempting to use Joe the plumber to relate to Joe SixPack. It only makes sense to look at what Joe is saying and ask...is it truthful? Let's see...he owes back taxes (just like Sarah Palin), his name is Sam not Joe, he doesn't have either a contractor's nor a plumber's license making it very problematic to believe his story about wanting to "buy" a company, and he is a frequent visitor on a local ring-wing radio show....Now I ask you, who do YOU think "persuaded" Joe to confront Obama?

I work in the Plumbing Industry, there are a lot more plumbers making 6 figures than Obama and Biden realize.Several have $homes that are $1m and above, country club memberships,boats,all the toys.Someone needs to do their homework.

His name is not Joe–it's Sam. He is not a registered plumber. He is not in negotiations to buy his boss's business and has not worked there for "his whole life" or "twelve hours a day" as McCain has represented him. He makes $40,000 a year and is a registered Republican.

This is only significant since the McCain campaign has made repeated representations to the American public about a non-existent person. Far from the Obama campaign "smearing" Joe, McCain is misrepresenting him.

Now Wait A Minute! McCain is the one that put Joe in the spot light by mentioning his name more than 20 times on national TV! If anything McCain and FOX Noise is responsible for putting this man's life in the spotlight. Mummy and Dummy are up to their same old tactics again.

Joe the plummer was PLANTED by McChicken & Puppet Girl.. this too will backfire.

The republicans only have scare strategy now.. telling voters Obama is going to raise tax, he will spread socialism,..., etc. Remember this year Nobel Price winner in Economics, Professor Krugman said "Rebpulicans become a party of stupid". There is no future with neocon economics principles and policies.

I wish this man would crawl back under his no-tax paying, non-voter registering, non-plumbing license having rock! I'm so sick of these McCain-Palin gimmicks!

MY GOD! john mccain do you ever ever stop lying. You created this monster and now your whining because people see through it and the Obama camp called you on it? Give me a break. I honestly can't wait until this campaign is over so I never have to see you or that clueless, pathological liar palin again.

It's unfortunate that Obama and Biden don't get the full picture. It's not about this guy from Ohio, it's about small businesses who gross $250k per year and then have to pay for staffing, inventory, etc. But yet they will still be required to pay more taxes under the Obama plan. I'm one of those small businesses and I don't appreciate Obama and Biden making a joke of this!

McCain – Politics as usual. McCain started the conversation in the debate, and I am sure the press going to Joe has nothing to do with Obama. Obama campaign is not the press. The press want the truth behind. Is he earning more $250,000 as protrayed by him or this is just another politics. Is he really a plumber....we know, the guy is not licensed and has taxes to pay. He need Obama's TAX plans not McCain politics.

Poor O – L – D McCLOWN, can't get anything RIGHT:

A VP who is unable to express herself in grammatically correct English. .

A FAKE plummer: Joe is not his name, is NOT a licensed plummer and he still owes taxes to the IRS.

McCain is losing his bearings again........OH MCGoo..YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN.

we all heard you bring him up at the last debate 20 times

If you didn't want Joe to be in the floodlights, you probably shouldn't have made him the foundation of your campaign.

You put Joe on the national stage John, not Obama. Just like Sarah Palin, you didn't do your homework.

Wow, i just cannot believe John McCain and his camp. Have they ever heard of vetting someone before pushing them out there in the public eye? Joe the Plumber apparently is really Joe the Liar. He isn't really a plumber with a license, his boss's business isn't really for sale, it doesn't really make $250,000. per year. Joe's name really isn't Joe and he apparently hasn't paid his taxes either. And now the McCain camp is whining cuz someone else took the time and trouble to vet the guy he's blathering about. You would think after the Palin fiasco they would learn...so sad.

Joe the Plumber is exactly the reason we have to be very nervous about the folks that support the McCain/Palin ticket. Seems they all want more than they are willing to give and expect something for nothing. Joe the Plumber is actually Joe the Idiot! All he has to do is open his mouth – he is his own worst enemy!

Well, when you LIE about WHO and WHAT you are....... what do you expect. We KNEW the man was a GOP plant. But hey, "SMEAR" does not hurt you......... its the lies and hate that do!

CNN'S RICK SANCHEZ WAS REPORTING ON THE HATE IGNITED BY THE REPUBLICANS.

IT IS FRIGHTENING TO SEE AMERICANS SPEW HATE.

ONE VIDEO CLIP SHOW A WHITE SHEET HANGING FROM SOMEONE'S TREE WITH A ROPE AROUND ITS NECK; ON THE HEAD WAS THE .........STAR OF DAVID.......... ON THE BODY AN OBAMA CAMPAIGN STICKER! DISGUSTING!

THANK.........YOU...........CNN............FOR REVEALING THE HATEFUL TRUTH OF WHAT THE GOP HAS .........IGNITED.

The other night as I was watching the debate, when independents were asked after the debate about 30 of them, how many changed their mind on who they are voting, about 4 raised their hands and said they are voting for Obama. Of course everybody said that was bad news for McCain.
It has always been a trend for majority of conservative supporters to be moderate and "not loud" about their support or who they are voting for. I know for a fact that if I was asked I would not tell who am I voting for, even though I am supporting McCain, so are pretty much everybody I know.
Yesterday at my job this lady conducted kind of inside polls just for fun, asking people who they were voting. Majority of them asked did not want to answer, they considered it private mater. I know for a fact from private conversations they are voting for McCain/Palin ticket.

If I were Obamas campaign or supporter I would worry more about those 26 independents who did not say who they are voting for.

You just might get a suprise this November

Maybe CNN should do a "FACT CHECK" on itself. The Huffington Post reports that CNN was misleading when reporting on the ACORN controversy. According to the Huffington Post, CNN failed to report two important facts, 1. Acorn was required to turn in all of its registrations in most states and 2. there were very few actual cases of voter fraud. In CNN's 54 articles, these important facts were mentioned only three times. I have long suspected CNN of having a less than honorable agenda based on the themes of their various articles. And in case you're wondering, I'm an Obama supporter.

You thought you should be playing with the big boys Joe?

Well Ok. . .

stick that neck out, and see someone get some common sense in that noggin of yours. . .

You Opened your Arms, You wanted in the Big Game. . . Ok but If you get knocked in the dirt. . . I got no sympathy for ya.

you asked for it Joe. . .best of luck.

Here we go again. Trying to back out of another lie. You know you set up Joe the Plumber and like everything else it backfired on you. Liar, liar, pants on fire!

Obama/Biden '08

So...it's Obama's fault this guy is in the spotlight? Right.

The Obama campaign isn't digging into JTP's life, it's the media. And Obama wasn't the one who threw him into the national spotlight, that was McCain. Now McCain has 'buyer's remorse' and is pointing fingers – the one thing he's good at.

JOE REPLAY THE DEBATE AND YOU WILL SEE SEN. MCCAIN STARTED THIS TACKY MESS.

YES, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. SEN. OBAMA IN FACT ANSWERED YOU. WELL YOUR ADDITIONAL 14 MINUTES OF FAME CAME AT THE EXPENSE OF THE MCCAIN PICK PALIN INSANE CAMPAIGN.

(but joe you didn't help must giving all those interviews the morning after)

Obama, the ONE, our deliver, the brillant ONE, what a ego this bum has now he is self centered he will now bless us and delay the World Series with is Brillant and Inspiring words of widsom. I'll laugh like a crazy cross eyed monkey when or if the ONE, looses this election people now know that they would rather chance the next 4yrs with a stiff old man, than a ego maniac, citizen of the world.

Joe Plumber, Joe Six Pack, Hockey Mom for VP, blah, blah, blah. I find it all but impossible to take the McCain campaign seriously anymore.

Leave Joe alone,all he did was ask a question, it's none of anybody's business what the heck Joe owes or does stick to the issues and get off of Joe. Just another distraction to keep from the important issues that are hanging over us.

Excuse me, but wasn't it Senator McCain who made "Joe the plumber" the centerpoint of his debate on Wednesday? Of course the media is going to swarm all over the guy after that. I also think that it is the media who is digging up everything they can on him. I really wish Sen. McCain would stop constantly dragging up non issues to muddy the waters during this election. I feel sad for the people who buy into all of the nonsense instead of fucusing on the really important issues and making an informed decision based on them.

Obama/Biden 08

Joe asked a question and didn't get the answer he wanted to hear. Joe didn't like the answer. Joe subscribes to a different economic philosophy (one that hasn't really worked too well). Case closed.

You know CNN you and the media and JOHN MCCAIN are the reason this man is getting so much attention. And it's annoying that you continue to write articles finding balance on an issue that John McCain exploited for political purposes and you geniuses took the bait and ran with.

This is yet another example of something that McCain created for himself and is trying to thrown back on Obama. He is a gimmicky loser and you all follow him around like lost puppies.

Wow... McCains campaign is looking more and more like a circus show. Creepy old man blubbering about 'whos-its' and 'what-nots'. ???

Lets leave Joe alone and go back to the issues.
"On with the show!!!"

OB08'!
Si se puede!

Joe the plummer was a PLANTED by McChicken & Puppet Girl.. this too will backfire.

John McCain was the one who injected "Joe the Plumber" into the debate at least 3 times claiming that "Joe the Plumber" is who the voters should look to in deciding whether to vote for Barack Obama. The media did their job (for once) and checked out his background. McCain is just upset that it turned out that "Joe the Plumber" was merely "Joe the uniformed Republican."

McCain started it and now he can't end it. That is the way he would run our country. Not a good way to operate. He is not a suitable presidential candidate-a liar, a hothead,a poor decision maker,not diplomatic,single-focused,doesn't listen to others viewpoints,a whinner. No one would hire him for a regular job let alone the President of the United States.

CNN you are just quoting/repeating all the most stupid McCain/GOP talking points and distractions without any kind of analysis whatsoever.

If you have endorsed McCain for President, please have the honesty to make this clear to your readers/viewers.

McCain should tell the American people how he's going to tax their healthcare benefits. He should explain to them why he's giving the vast majority of his tax cuts to the wealthiest of the wealthy. He should try to explain why if he isn't George W. Bush, why does he love to emulate the president's policies.
I really couldn't care less about Joe the Plumber. But "Joe" isn't who he says he is...he's NOT a plumber. And he's a tax deadbeat. Maybe John McCain should worry about the people who work hard and play by the rules... not Joe Who's Not the Plumber and Won't Pay His Taxes.

We'll McCain should know what a smear is since his campaign has a wave of Phone Calls doing just that.

I heard Joe the Plumber has

1) Never been a Licensed Plumber
2) Owes back taxes (now we know why he's afraid of more taxes, he can't even pay the ones Bush laid on him)
3) His real first name is Steve
4) He's the Son in law of Charles Keating of the Keating Five scandal.

I smell a plant?????

Joe the NON Plumber (The Official McCain Plant) go away.

McCain ....we voters have already shown you...we don't like your nasty way of campaigning....PLEASE TAKE LESSONS FROM THE SO CALLED UNEXPERIENCE SENATOR OBAMA....who is showing he is definately...PRESIDENTIAL.....

Strange that McCain is blaming Obama for Joe's unwelcome publicity. Had the McCain campaign not used Joe's encounter, he'd be just a guy who was on CNN for five seconds. McCain made people want to know about Joe without having a clue what they'd find out. Just like he did Sarah Palin.

It is not a smear to say that the so called "Joe the Plumber" is neither "Joe" nor "The Plumber". His name is Samuel and he is a handyman (not licensed for plumbing). So he really is "Sam the Handyman". He just imagined he is making 250,000 and for this he will have the IRS on his rear for a long time to come. LOL.

"He didn't ask Senator Obama to come to his house"- McCain.

Yeah, well I didn't ask your wife to come to my college, Senator. Obama held a rally in a neighborhood where he deemed necessary and was asked a question by a questionable person, a person who you can't seem to shut up about. Of course the media is going to try and find things out about the plumber poster boy if the McCain campaign keeps using him as an example!

McCain is the reason he is in the spotlight. Not to mention he is hardly an undecided voter.

A republican plant.. too bad its backfiring. The guy makes $40,000. His boss has no plans to sell his company and even if he did, Joe cannot buy it. The company does not make $250,000. They made $100,000 last year. Joe has not paid back taxes.... Nice try McCain.

Another victim of the horribly run, absolute failed disaster of the McLosers campaign. "Joe" fake name and pawn for McLoser & MsSidekick can thank them and his own redneck stupidity for all of the negative backlash from this pathetic gimmick.

Go Obama!!!

Uh, he lied about himself.

What else would McCain say. He sees almost everything he uses against Obama being used against him. For a man with his ego, that's got to be tough.

John, YOU are the one who dragged him into this.
YOU are the one who didn't vett him. (you do that, don't ya?)
YOU are now blaming the media for finding the TRUTH?!?!?!
You are a bitter, arrogant old fool.

. . . .Another Republican lie. And some want eight more years of this?

Democrats 08.

If Bill the terrorist is fair game, so is Joe the plumber.

What a joke. McWarmonger defending his lies and supporting special tax perks for the wealthy that don't need it, nor asked for it.

If it weren't for John McCain mentioning Joe the Plumber by name and then continually brining him up during the debate, perhaps Joe the Plumber wouldn't have any scrutiny thrust upon him.

I am so sick of hearing about "Joe the Fake Plumber," I was sick of it during the debate and is still sick of it now. McCain needs to use better judgement when dealing with the American people. All that "experience," but no judgement. Take a look at his VP pick.

MCCAIN NEEDS TO STOP WHINING.

IF HE HAD "VETTED" HIM A LITTLE MORE AND FOUND OUT THAT HE DOES NOT HAVE A PLUMBER'S LICENSE, THAT HE HAS A LIEN AGAINST HIS PROPERTY FOR OWING BACK TAXES, AND THAT HE MADE $47,000 IN 2007 (A FAR CRY FROM THE $280,000 HE CLAIMED) THEN PERHAPS MCCAIN WOULD NOT BE IN THE MESS HE IS IN AND SINKING LIKE A STONE.

OBVIOUSLY HE HAS LEARND NOTHING FROM NOT "VETTING" HIS IMBECILE RUNNING MATE!

Seriously, MOVE ON!

sign of things to come. question the great one and his hitmen/women will pay a visit. 2nd ammendment here I come!!

Well he lied to help you out and now it will back fire on you McCain. And no, we don't know of a Plumber that makes over $250,000 in Net income.

If I remember correctly it was John McCain that brought up this fools name in the first place, not to mention kept repeating it over and over during the debate, I think I heard him being refered to more than the economy. If he is being called out on being dishonest about his profession and his income he has no one else to blame but himself and his new pal John for putting him in the spotlight.

COME ON MCCAIN.....YOU REALLY ARE SHOWING YOU ARE DESPERATE.....GO OUT WITH DIGNITY.....

Come on McLame! You had these words for Obama:

"The response from Senator Obama and his campaign yesterday was to attack Joe. People are digging through his personal life and he has TV crews camped out in front of his house. He didn't ask for Senator Obama to come to his house. He wasn't recruited or prompted by our campaign. He just asked a question. And Americans ought to be able to ask Senator Obama tough questions without being smeared and targeted with political attacks," McCain said.

So, what is it McLame?? Looks like one of your lies again!

The only ones smearing are McCain/Palin and their GOP operatives. It is absolutely terrifying what their ticket has produced-

That is a very elitest and arrogant comment made by Barack and Joe. If I were a plumber, I would be highly offended!

Wow, too bad McCain was the one who threw Joe the Plumber into the spotlight by bringing him up in the debate.

Maybe you shouldn't have planted him in Obama's audience. Like everything else in McCain's campaign, it's phony. He deserves all the scrutiny he gets, and can thank you McCain/Palin.

Am I confused? Wasn't it John McCain who even brought up "Joe the Plumber?" Give me a break! Now that his ploy has proven that Joe is
1. not a plumber
2. not buying his boss' business
3. only gets paid $40K and would BENEFIT from Obama's plan
4. right-wing talk show regular

McCain wants to blame Obama for all this? Get a grip John...you're old and your running mate is a nut. I can't wait for early voting to start on Monday in Florida...RUNNING TO THE POLES TO VOTE FOR OBAMA!!!

Samuel has had more press conferences than Palin has. he has more experience than she does.

McCain you created this monster now fix it.

McCain is so worried about his plant, Joe the non-plumber. But when people smear the presidental candidate of the USA, Obama, including saying kill him, McCain gets lockjaw.
God bless all the REAL plumbers of America!!!

puh-lease...

JOHN MCCAIN is the one that brought Joe the Plumber up
JOHN MCCAIN is the one that has been trying to use Joe the Plumber as his personal campaign mascot
JOHN MCCAIN is the one that tried to contact Joe the Plumber before the debate even began

Joe the Plumber has jumped the shark, anyway. not really a plumber, not really making more than $250,000, not really even paying his CURRENT taxes

this campaign gets stupider by the day

Who cares about Samuel John. It certainly isn't you. Your tax plan does not help this guy who makes $47,000 a year.

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

Ok, for real. This is getting silly. Drop the plumber crap already, why this guy is famous now is totally beyond me.

TRYING TO DISTRACT THE PEOPLE AGAIN MCINSANE? SAY IT AINT'T SO!. YOU KNOW YOU HAVE NOTHING TO OFFER THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, THAT IS WHY YOU KEEP TALKING ABOUT JOE.
YOU ARE TALKING BUT NOBODY IS LISTENING.
OBAMA 08

You have screwed up again Obama.

Joe the plumber is a loser and a tax evader, his 15 minutes of fame are over. Joe, exit stage left please.

Cooked politics and outright lies from McCain. Good thing theres only a few weeks of this left before they wheel him back into the old folks home.

This has absolutely nothing to do with the economy, jobs, health care, education, or clean coal technology.!

I am soooo glad I voted for Obama today!

You tell 'em, Joe the Senator!

Also, McCain's putting all the blame on Obama for questioning "Joe the Plumber", for press digging into his life... but it was McCain who brought him up in the first place.

This is truly troublesome, I just heard Obama's speech in Virginia asking , How many Joe the plumber make 250K? Is he truly questioning this voter at asked do you believe in the American Dream?

Likewise, he didn't ask you to mention him nearly two dozen times in the debate, Senator. You are as culpable as your opponent.

Well John McCain you did it again. You introduced Joe the Plumber to American and now it is Obama fault. Mr. McCain wake up wake up you are studpid.

C'mon McSenile. YOU brought him up at the Debate. LOL!