Oct. 16, 2008
Campaigns Battle Over "Joe The Plumber"
McCain, Obama Continue Talking About Joe Wurzelbacher From Ohio; Meanwhile, He Reveals He Doesn't Have A License
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(CBS/ AP)
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Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, answers a question from plumber Joe Wurzelbacher in Holland, Ohio, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the start of the presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y (AP)
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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, speaks as Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., listens during their presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008. (AP)
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Play CBS Video Video McCain Highlights Plumber Joe During the final presidential debate, John McCain and Barack Obama discussed an ordinary voter named Joe Wurzelbacher. Chip Reid reports on this small town plumber who has gained instant notoriety.
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Video Joe: Obama Would Lower Taxes Joe Wurzelbacher was launched into the national spotlight after being used as an example in a debate. Wyatt Andrews does a Reality Check on how each candidate would affect Joe "The Plumber."
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Video Obama's Debate Glow With only a few weeks until Election Day, Barack Obama is basking in the glow of his post-debate success and his lead in most polls, but the candidate remains cautious. Dean Reynolds reports.
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CBS Evening News Where They Stand The CBS Evening News provides an in-depth look at the issues facing the 44th president.
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CBS Evening News Presidential Questions Katie Couric asks Barack Obama and John McCain questions of politics, policy and character.
Meanwhile, Obama opened the final leg of the presidential campaign by returning to a familiar strategy on Thursday: Linking McCain to the unpopular incumbent.
Obama said McCain was trying to obscure the issue in their final debate Wednesday when he pointed out that President Bush will not be on the ballot next month.
"I'm not running against George Bush. I'm running against all those policies of George Bush that you support, Sen. McCain," Obama said. "In three debates and over 20 months, John McCain hasn't explained a single thing that he would do differently from George Bush when it comes to the most important economic issues we face today. Not one."
Speaking at a New Hampshire apple farm, Obama said McCain frequently attacked in the debate because he has little positive to say about his own proposals.
"With the economy in turmoil and the American dream at risk, the American people don't want to hear politicians attack each other," Obama told a cheering crowd as a light rain fell on a blaze of autumn trees in the background. "You want to hear about how we're going to attack the challenges facing the middle class each and every day."
The Illinois senator also continued his push to capture states that have been considered safe Republican territory in recent presidential elections. He bought airtime for campaign ads in West Virginia and planned visits to several traditionally GOP states.
After Thursday's appearances in New Hampshire and New York, Obama was headed to Virginia, Missouri and North Carolina, states that once were assumed to be safely in the Republican column. Now they appear to be up for grabs.
He also is launching TV ads in West Virginia, which George W. Bush won four years ago and hadn't been on the list of target states until recently, according to two Democrats with knowledge of the strategy. The Democrats, speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid angering the campaign, said Obama is also considering putting money into reliably Republican Kentucky and may yet return to the airwaves in North Dakota and Georgia.Ways To Win
Calculate your own path to the presidency with our Electoral Vote prediction map.
Still, Obama warned supporters not to get complacent.
"We are 19 days away from changing this country. Nineteen days. But for those who are getting a little cocky, I've got two words for you: New Hampshire," he said, referring to a painful loss in the Democratic primary that came after his dramatic victory in Iowa.
"I learned right here, with the help of my great friend and supporter Hillary Clinton, that you can't let up or pay too much attention to the polls."
The candidates headed back to New York Thursday after their appearances to attend the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner, an annual event hosted by the New York Roman Catholic archdiocese to raise money for needy children.
McCain also appeared on CBS' "The Late Show With David Letterman" on Thursday. The popular late-night host has been lampooning McCain since Sept. 24, when McCain canceled an appearance to return to Washington to address the U.S. financial crisis. (Read more about McCain's appearance on the program)
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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- WichesRDumb...Did you forget who is in charge of the house and has been since 2006...They are the ones that were voted in and the economy changed....It is the DEMOCRATS...Everything changed when the house changed. The economy has taken a big hit and the change is horrible. Signed an INDEPENDENT
As for Obama, he should be investigated and possibly arrested as there is a war on terrorism. His past involvement and continued involvement with William Ayers, documented proof is utterly ridiculous. - Reply to this comment
- Amazing how the media can swoop down and dig up all kinds of truth about a private citizen but can not report true facts about a person who wants to be our president. The citizen asks an honest question. The candidate gave an honest answer. What is the problem? The citizen''s honest question? The candidate''s honest answer? Why is the candidate''s campaign making fun of the citizen? Why is the media splattering his private life all over the world. Truth? You decide!
- Reply to this comment
- Amazing how the media can swoop down and dig up all kinds of truth about a private citizen but can not report true facts about a person who wants to be our president. The citizen asks an honest question. The candidate gave an honest answer. What is the problem? The citizen''s honest question? The candidate''s honest answer? Why is the candidate''s campaign making fun of the citizen? Why is the media splattering his private life all over the world. Truth? You decide!
- Reply to this comment
- Amazing how the media can swoop down and dig up all kinds of truth about a private citizen but can not report true facts about a person who wants to be our president. The citizen asks an honest question. The candidate gave an honest answer. What is the problem? The citizen''s honest question? The candidate''s honest answer? Why is the candidate''s campaign making fun of the citizen? Why is the media splattering his private life all over the world. Truth? You decide!
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- Sorry Good4Always, but I think that Pakistan would fare far worse than Iraq did. We would most likely strike first if we felt there was an impending engagement.
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- So Tex, how do you think we are going to get out of this financial disaster that your republican red guard has created? Hmmm?
What a bunch of BS!
I know, lets tax the poor more. Maybe pull ourselves up by your boot straps.
I think I know who will win this election, and I''m gonna still be sitting here laughing at you. Uneducated my butt! - Reply to this comment
- USA IS SCARED OF PAKISTAN SO BIG TIME THAT IT GIVES MONEY AND ALL KIND OF THINGS TO KEEP THEM FROM NOT ATTACKING USA.
PAKISTAN DOES NOT NEED AMERICA HELP IN ANYTHING ANYWAY. PAKISTAN CAN WIPE OFF AMERICA IN ANY MINUTE ANY TIME IT WISHES.....
NOW THE USA MIGHT BE LOOKING DESPARATELY FOR PAKISTAN''S HELP TO HELP THEM IN THEIR FINANCIAL CRISIS. - Reply to this comment
- USA IS SCARED OF PAKISTAN SO BIG TIME THAT IT GIVES MONEY AND ALL KIND OF THINGS TO KEEP THEM FROM NOT ATTACKING USA.
PAKISTAN DOES NOT NEED AMERICA HELP IN ANYTHING ANYWAY. PAKISTAN CAN WIPE OFF AMERICA IN ANY MINUTE ANY TIME IT WISHES.....
NOW THE USA MIGHT BE LOOKING DESPARATELY FOR PAKISTAN''''S HELP TO HELP THEM IN THEIR FINANCIAL CRISIS. - Reply to this comment
- USA IS SCARED OF PAKISTAN SO BIG TIME THAT IT GIVES MONEY AND ALL KIND OF THINGS TO KEEP THEM FROM NOT ATTACKING USA.
PAKISTAN DOES NOT NEED AMERICA HELP IN ANYTHING ANYWAY. PAKISTAN CAN WIPE OFF AMERICA IN ANY MINUTE ANY TIME IT WISHES.....
NOW THE USA MIGHT BE LOOKING DESPARATELY FOR PAKISTAN''''S HELP TO HELP THEM IN THEIR FINANCIAL CRISIS. - Reply to this comment
- USA IS SCARED OF PAKISTAN SO BIG TIME THAT IT GIVES MONEY AND ALL KIND OF THINGS TO KEEP THEM FROM NOT ATTACKING USA.
PAKISTAN DOES NOT NEED AMERICA HELP IN ANYTHING ANYWAY. PAKISTAN CAN WIPE OFF AMERICA IN ANY MINUTE ANY TIME IT WISHES.....
NOW THE USA MIGHT BE LOOKING DESPARATELY FOR PAKISTAN''S HELP TO HELP THEM IN THEIR FINANCIAL CRISIS. - Reply to this comment
- "Joe''''s the man!" McCain said at a rally in this Philadelphia suburb as supporters chanted "Joe! Joe! Joe!"
Posted by ritewngrumer at 01:41 PM : Oct 17, 2008
You liberals just don''t get it. Joe the Plumber is a metaphore for the small business owner that makes more thatn $250K a year. It is not about some slob that asked Obama a question. It is about Obama''s answer; "spread the wealth around." Obama''s Robin Hood economic policies will hurt everyone. - Reply to this comment
- The intellect of your OSLIMA is typical of a USED CAR SALESMAN!!!
Posted by FromTexwlove at 01:42 PM : Oct 17, 2008
No he is actually selling snake oil! - Reply to this comment
- Posted by FromTexwlove at 01:34 PM : Oct 17, 2008
You are repeating yourself. - Reply to this comment
- (Also clueless) FromTexwlove at 01:29 PM
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- Clueless Good4Always at 01:29 PM : Oct 17, 2008
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- USA IS SCARED OF PAKISTAN SO BIG TIME THAT IT GIVES MONEY AND ALL KIND OF THINGS TO KEEP THEM FROM NOT ATTACKING USA.
PAKISTAN DOES NOT NEED AMERICA HELP IN ANYTHING ANYWAY. PAKISTAN CAN WIPE OFF AMERICA IN ANY MINUTE ANY TIME IT WISHES.....
NOW THE USA MIGHT BE LOOKING DESPARATELY FOR PAKISTAN''S HELP TO HELP THEM IN THEIR FINANCIAL CRISIS. - Reply to this comment
- Joe who now makes less than $50,000.00 a year and owes back taxes would be helped by Obama''s plans -- the tax and health care plan. If by some miracle he is able to buy the business or any small business that has a GROSS of only $250,000, Obama''s plans still helps him -- so -- given that, my question to Joe and others like him is this "WHY ARE YOU SUPPORTING McCAIN ?"
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- Posted by FromTexwlove at 01:22 PM : Oct 17, 2008
Youn still didn''t read [mscanon''s] comment that I re-posted. - Reply to this comment
- Posted by FromTexwlove at 01:16 PM : Oct 17, 2008
"Most elderly do not either, and their plans can be $1,500 a month-easy. Who can afford that out of pocket monthly expense? So many small employers who will lose their credit for providing insurance will stop providing it so their employees will need to find $350 to $1,500 a month in their budget to purchase it and most won''''t even get to take the credit because they can''''t itemize! THIS IS SO VERY VERY BAD FOR EVERYONE! Tens of Tens of Tens of Millions will be without insurance. NO ONE will lose thier job over Obama''''s plan but millions will lose their insurance under McCains! Even IF a company net profits say 270k, they pay 3% more tax on 20K only, so $600 a year - that''''s not gonna put ANYONE out of a job! Understand? I think Obama just assumes people know that much so doesn''''t explain it that way. Anyway, this is what it is, and it''''s important to understand it or we will all be very screwed if we don''''t stop McCain''''s plan from happening!"
Posted by mscanon at 04:34 PM : Oct 16, 2008 - Reply to this comment
- YOU, a honking Obama (the US is no longer a Christian nation....) quoting from the Bible!
Now that is really HILARIOUS!
Posted by FromTexwlove at 01:11 PM : Oct 17, 2008
Why should that be a suprise? you think you are the only one who has read it? I have many times also the qua''ran, Talmud and Torah - Reply to this comment
