Chuck Todd: REPUBLICANS say "Joe the Plumber didn't work..."

[brooklynite]

results from a McCain focus group...


also "Obama has framed McCain's Health Care plan for the voters"

[berni_mccoy]

1. Not only that, he BACKFIRED

[MindMatter]

2. Not just last night, but it gets worse for McCain

Today, there is a lot of fact checking. While it isn't necessarily a case that McCain was lying about "Joe" it seems more the case that both McCain and Joe are woefully ignorant about economics and the most basic accounting concepts, and that is worse for McCain.

Expect Obama to use "Joe" as the illustration for why Obama's plans are fair and reasonable. Basically McCain has handed Obama a huge gift here. It is hard to describe these plans in the abstract. But a lot of people can relate to "Joe's" circumstances. And when the fact-checking shows that "Joe" will do just fine under Obama's plan a lot of people will say, "If it is good enough for Joe, then I guess I'm OK with it." And McCain will look pretty stupid for working so hard to make a case that is just plain false.

[TornadoTN]

5. Considering Joe will only be taxed more on what he makes over 250k, I dont see anyone crying a river

That's why when McCain screamed "Guess what Joe, you're rich! Congratulations!" it opened up a lot of discussion on what constitutes rich and what doesn't, leading to Obama's masterful characterization of McCain's health care plan.

I'm glad to see this backfired on him. It's just insulting to play these games with people and throw the most dishonest stuff out there just for the sake of smear.

[Heather MC]

11. I really didn't understand the guess what Joe you are rich now!

It made no sense, Of course when McLame talks I have trouble staying awake

Oh btw, JOE the Plumber is not REGISTERED to VOTE

[MindMatter]

13. McCain is a dope

He doesn't understand accounting. He doesn't understand economics. He doesn't understand taxes.

Plumbing is an honorable profession. A great can can be made that plumbing, more than medicine, architecture, or the arts, had the greatest role in raising mankind to modern society. Plumbing can be hard, dirty work. A good plumber deserves his pay.

Having said all that, the only way a guy buys a plumbing business that will kick off $250,000 in taxable profit after all the expenses are netted out is if this is a very well established business that has loads of employees and has already depreciated its most expensive assets. Such a business would cost "Joe" several million dollars to buy. And a good case can be made that if this really is "Joe's" situation (which is highly doubtful), then he should be taking some responsibility for his employees. It is in his enlightened self interest to have a healthy, loyal work force. And even in this case, Obama's plan gives "Joe" a 50% credit to help him provide this insurance.

[tledford]

16. I wanted Obama to say, "John..."

"John, a couple of months ago a reporter asked you to define the income level at which someone could be defined as 'rich' and you said, 'Oh, around five million dollars.' Has that dropped to $250,000 in two months?"

But he didn't.

Obama did a great job in the debate, though.

[yellowdogintexas]

17. trying to slam Obama. Implying that income of $250K makes one rich,very snarky

since that is the Obama tax plan's threshold for potential increase in taxes owed, it is the magic number

I thought it was very nasty myself

[Rockholm]

3. When Joe the plumber gets exposed as a rw shill,

things will really explode!

[RedSpartan]

15. I agree

The fact that he's not registered to vote, then shows up to try and "gotcha" Obama (with cameras there at the ready) just smells fishy. In any event, Obama's response to him was thorough, honest and respectful, and "Joe" isn't doing himself any favors on the talk shows today. His 15 minutes will be over by the Friday News Dump.

[mscuedawg]

4. ALL undecideds on MSNBC panel had thumbs down for Joe TP

[GinaMaria]

6. Obama focused on 95% of us

McJerk only focused on one person last night. He left out most of us in his concern for someone who makes more that 95% of us.

[GalleryGod]

7. CHUCK T. drove a stake into the heart of the McCrypt Campaign!

Jeeeez-us but Pat & Joe (Seig, HEIL!) were PO'd.

[ErinBerin84]

8. lol

last night, Chuck Todd thought that Joe plumber was McCain's greatest hit.

[TexasObserver]

9. Joe the Plumber is in the toilet.

and circling


pundits are prattling about it, but focus groups hated it

[Myrina]

10. Was Joe the Plumber one of Ted Stevens' contractor pals?

:shrug:

[BumRushDaShow]

12. The latest is that he's related to a Keating 5 criminal!

:rofl:

[TornadoTN]

14. AHAHAHAHA! That is priceless!

What a moron! You could tell by the way he framed Obama's response (which was thorough and clear) that he wasn't being straight up when he said "He tap-danced around the issue". Well, Joe - you're busted.