Who Is Joe The Plumber?
(CBS)
(HEMPSTEAD, N.Y.) - The star of the final presidential debate was Joe Wurzelbacher, aka "Joe the Plumber." John McCain mentioned Wurzelbacher tonight shortly after the debate began, and both he and Obama said his name more than 25 times during the 90-minute debate. How many times did the word Iraq come up? Six. How many times was the word economy used? 16.
So, what makes Joe the Plumber so special? Well, Obama met Wurzelbacher on Sunday, just shortly after landing in Toledo, Ohio. Before heading to his hotel for an intensive two days of debate prep, the campaign organized a quick stop in Holland, Ohio. The plan was for Obama to walk down Shrewsbury Street, knock on doors, and ask people to vote. For all intents and purposes, it was a photo op.
But then Joe came into the picture, a burly, middle-aged guy with a goatee, who approached Obama and asked him if he believes in the American dream. He proceeded to tell Obama that, after working as a plumber for 15 years, he is going to purchase his own business. The catch was that the business was worth more than $250,000 and Joe asked if he would be taxed more under Obama’s plan.
"I'm being taxed more and more for fulfilling the American Dream,” he said to Obama.
While Obama made several attempts to explain his tax plan, the bottom line was always that Joe would suffer from increased taxes.
“I’m gonna cut taxes a little bit more for the folks who are most in need and for the 5% of the folks who are doing very well - even though they’ve been working hard and I appreciate that – I just want to make sure they’re paying a little bit more in order to pay for those other tax cuts,” Obama told Joe.
“It’s not that I want to punish your success – I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you – that they’ve got a chance at success too.”
Obama left the neighborhood right after the conversation with Joe, admitting that the conversation was good practice for the debate. Little did he know that this chance encounter was going to be the main flashpoint tonight.
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See all 55 CommentsThanks Joe, Obama ''spread the wealth around'' concept is fundamentally against American freedoms.
http://taxcut.barackobama.com/sb_faq.html
I grew up being taught that life was hard and no one owes me anything! I still believe that to be true.
I commend you for giving to your church and charity! I do the same and I resent that the government thinks they know better how to spend my money than I do.
I also love how people want to tax the very same people they themselves are making rich by going to the movies, buying designer jeans or grocery store tabloids. I bet if they were the rich they''d be offended that the government was trying to tax their "hard-earned dollars"!!!
Anyway,great job to Obama! He is, in my opinion, the voice of the people
* Give all small businesses a $3,000 new jobs tax credit for each additional employee hired in 2009 and 2010.
* Help small businesses raise capital and increase growth by exempting all investments in small and start up businesses from capital gains taxes.
* Offer all small business owners a healthcare tax credit equal to 50% of the premiums paid for employee health benefits each year.
I can''t relate to Joe the plumber.
Plumber."---Mike the Plumber from NYC
You got your answer. Under $200K tax cut,200-250K no change, over $250K increase.
No one tapped danced, and you should be ashamed of yourself for misrepresenting Obama''s answer. What didn''t you understand? The rest of the answer was trying to help you understand other tax breaks you would get additionally as a bussiness.
I always thought I was above middle class being a programmer in the Silicon Valley and making 95K a year with two kids and my wife staying at home. Who the heck makes $250K and is worried about 4% more tax? Or even stranger who makes 100K and is worrried they will get taxed when they make more?
If we care about taxes and are middle class I think it makes sense to give the guy a try who the "Tax Policy Instute" says will lower your taxes more.
Obama is for lower taxes Joe, the bigger risk is voting for the guy who doesn''t claim he will lower your taxes.
By the way that on that "voted to raise your taxes" score it''s McCain 300+ times Obama 40 times.
They are just counting every time there is a vote for a buget item.
It looks like Joe the Plumber is going to easily clear $250,000 this year.
http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/voterquery.aspx?page=361
And it turns out that Joe the plumber owes money in back taxes...apparently the guy doesn''t think he should pay any tax! And on top of that, he is on record as being against social security, saying he should be able to invest his money however he wants. So he''s against payroll taxes too.
Hey Joe, if you really want to buy that company, you''re going to need a loan - and you''re not going to be able to get one with tax liens against you! What a bozo.
If Joe earns less than 250,000 whether he works for himself or someone else, he gets a tax break under Obama.
Joe will also get a tax credit whenever his business hires a new worker here in America.
John McCain promises to tax Joe the Plumber for his health care and confirmed that in the debate.
Whatever happened to John McCain?
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See all 55 Comments