What Joe the Plumber Has Done
If John McCain were a communicator of the caliber of Ronald Reagan (or even Bill Clinton or Barack Obama), he might have been better able to make the case why conservative policiess can both help us get out of the current financial mess as they make it easier for the average citizen to realize the American dream.
Joe the Plummer has done a better job articulating how Democratic economic policies make it ever more difficult for us to realize that dream than has the Republican presidential nominee. And in terms which the average voter can more readily understand.
That’s not the only thing he has done. The contempt the Democratic nominee seemed to show for Joe’s concerns (as well as his team’s mockery of this outspoken citizen) reminds us of the contempt he had previously shown for small-town Americans: “they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”
In short, Joe the Plumber reminds the GOP of the strengths we have in the presidential race, an economic philosophy, particularly on taxes, more in tune with that of the average voter and an opposition candidate out of touch with those voters.
If McCain and Palin can follow Joe’s lead and hammer home that message in the next two weeks, they’ll have a fighting chance in November. That part is up to them (and their speechwriters). But, the damage to Obama may already have been done. About three weeks before people vote, they see yet another reminder of the Democrat’s arrogance and condescension.
Whether that will be enough to overcome Obama’s financial advantage, the media’s base in favor of the Democrat and the electoral dynamics of the year (which s “out” party) is yet to be seen. As an optimist, I have to believe it will help.
ADDENDUM:Â Make sure to check out Michael Barone’s two posts on the topic:Â Can Joe the Plumber Turn It Around for John McCain? and Joe the Plumber Gives McCain a Chance to Overtake Obama.
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OBAMA + DEM CONG = USA RIP
Comment by Ted — October 18, 2008 @ 7:24 pm - October 18, 2008
Well said – and worth repeating. Thanks.
Comment by 49erDweet — October 18, 2008 @ 7:47 pm - October 18, 2008
Joe the Plumber asked The One a question, The One answered. And, without teleprompter near by, he slipped the truth to Joe. That he wants to “spread the wealth”. When you add the “paying higher taxes is patriotic”, “fairness” and other choice comments fromt he left, it is socialism. And, that is the cat that got out of the bag. So, the DDBMSOWM has to smear Joe the Plumber and NOT address the real issue. What does it mean to “spread the wealth” and paying higher taxes and what really fair? Since that would mean The One and Sen. Blowhard Biden would have to defend their redistributionist policies. And that would ensure they would lose the election.
Comment by Mark J. Goluskin — October 18, 2008 @ 7:55 pm - October 18, 2008
To all those who put their faith in the East Coast elites over the sense of the common people, a plumber from Toledo Ohio did a better job of exposing the real Obama with one question than the entire media establishment or the John McCain campaign has done in the last two years.
Comment by V the K — October 18, 2008 @ 8:00 pm - October 18, 2008
When Joe Wurzelbacher returned to Sarah Palin, she asked him what his emergency meeting was about.
Joe Wurzelbacher told her that John McCain had a proposition for him.
“I think you’d better start calling me boss,” Joe Wurzlebacher said.
Comment by Shimmy — October 18, 2008 @ 8:31 pm - October 18, 2008
I agree- but I don’t think Joe the Plumber is anything special. Anyone with a right mind can see that Obama’s policies are are there core communist in nature- the shocking thing about this election is that there seems to be so few people of right mind anymore in the US! Or maybe they are just intimidated- as I talk about on my blog, anyone who speaks out against the coming thugocracy gets hammered- Joe Plumber, Sarah Palin, or even me!
Comment by A Conservative Teacher — October 18, 2008 @ 8:49 pm - October 18, 2008
Your title, “What Joe the Plumber Has Done,” makes this post sound like a referendum on his experience.
He probably does have more experience than Obama.
Comment by Mitchell Blatt — October 18, 2008 @ 9:21 pm - October 18, 2008
[...] What Joe the Plumber Has Done [...]
Pingback by Political Class Dismissed: The Blog » Blog Archive » What Joe the Plumber Has Done — October 18, 2008 @ 10:15 pm - October 18, 2008
No matter what the Obama campaign or the media does to smear Joe the Plumber, it is too late for them. The word is out. Even if Obama wins, more people are up to speed on his politics now. I don’t think Obama is communist. Just think of the way some of the cities such as Seattle and San Fransisco are run, and that will give you a clue as to the way the Obama people would like to see the world.
Comment by Rick — October 18, 2008 @ 10:19 pm - October 18, 2008
It’s nice that McCain is finally hitting hard on Obama’s socialism. Too bad he let the mantle of economic conservatism slip from his shoulders when he voted for the bailout.
Comment by Jorge — October 18, 2008 @ 10:49 pm - October 18, 2008
The media is outraged over Joe the plumber. He did not attend an Ivy League college and he asked “The One” perhaps the most critical question of the 2008 election. I nominate Joe the plumber to be the replacement for Tim Russert on Meet the Press.
Comment by Swampfox — October 18, 2008 @ 11:21 pm - October 18, 2008
I don’t think Obama is communist.
Why not? He’s a student of radical communists and if you actually read between the lines, you can’t help but notice it. Given his thuggish movements against those who don’t genuflect, what could possibly reassure anybody that he won’t send folks of to the American gulags?
He could convert Alaska into the new gulags as a form of sick irony.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — October 19, 2008 @ 2:30 am - October 19, 2008
As for Joe, he just opened the door, something we all do everyday. It was Comrade Obama’s arrogance (stupidity) which allowed him to walk into it.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — October 19, 2008 @ 2:32 am - October 19, 2008
THe Republicans have never stood by the little guy but the little guy doesn’t know it.
Comment by TR — October 19, 2008 @ 4:26 am - October 19, 2008
I’m the little guy, TR, and they stand up for me all the time. When they stand up for free market principles they stand up for the little guy. When they stand up for the rule of law, they stand up for the little guy. When they stand up for equal opportunity and against equality of outcomes, they stand up for the little guy. When they stand up for individual liberty and against “group rights” they stand up for the little guy. When they say the Constitution means what it says and says what it means, they stand up for the little guy. And they are the only party standing up for the least among us, those who liberals would abort or euthanize.
Comment by American Elephant — October 19, 2008 @ 4:59 am - October 19, 2008
Does the average American make over $250,000 income each year? That’s a lot of money. Helping out your hard working neighbor who is more average ($50,000) isn’t that bad a thing, is it? Imaging your hard working neighbor just lost health insurance because he got injured on his job, and thereafter had to stop working. How can he, his wife, and kids make it through this hard time without some help?
Comment by Alec — October 19, 2008 @ 5:32 am - October 19, 2008
Of course Obama believes in the American dream, but only up to $249,999,99.
Comment by Right Turn — October 19, 2008 @ 6:45 am - October 19, 2008
It should also be pointed out, as one reads through all the drivel about how “Joe” doesn’t understand Obama’s tax plan and confuses revenue with taxable income, that Obama also apparently doesn’t understand Obama’s tax plan.
Comment by hmm — October 19, 2008 @ 10:12 am - October 19, 2008
THe Republicans have never stood by the little guy but the little guy doesn’t know it.
Sure they have. The government is the “biggest guy” of all, inasmuch as it can compel you to do what it wants and when it wants it. Democrats like Barack Obama want that “big guy” to take everything from you, give it to whomever they want, and punish you with jail time if you refuse. Republicans tell that “big guy” to sit down, shut up, and get out of your way.
The Democrat base, TR, is people who can’t compete, know it, and like screaming children, go running to Big Government for welfare. They want the government to take money from other people and give it to you because they’re too damn lazy to go earn it themselves.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — October 19, 2008 @ 11:30 am - October 19, 2008
THe Republicans have never stood by the little guy but the little guy doesn’t know it.
Oh, really? Who stood by the little guy when the leftist ideologues wanted to take away his right to keep and bear arms?
Who stands by the little guy when the leftist ideologues want to dictate the content of the radio programs he listens to?
Who stands by the little guy and tries to give him the option of putting his retirement savings into private accounts, instead of being sucked into the social security Ponzi scheme?
Who stood by the little guy when Democrats and liberal Republicans got together to try to hand out citizenship to 20 million lawbreakers who cross the border to drive down his wages and living standards?
Which party stood by the little guy and tried to open up American energy resources to development to create jobs and lower energy costs and which party chose the path of perpetual dependence on hostile powers for energy?
Which party would like to give the little guy the financial means to get his kids out of the awful public schools, and which party stands at the schoolhouse door saying, “No! We won’t send our own kids to public school, but they’re good enough for you, peasant!”
Comment by V the K — October 19, 2008 @ 1:00 pm - October 19, 2008
Joe the Plumber Shirts Check them out, support your candidate!
Comment by Black — October 19, 2008 @ 5:05 pm - October 19, 2008
How very capitalistic of you Black, both pro AND anti Joe the Plumber shirts.
Comment by American Elephant — October 19, 2008 @ 5:56 pm - October 19, 2008
Alec,
If a neighbor needs help, he should have the balls to ask his neighbors for help, rather than using the government to steal money from his neighbor to give to him. Never ask from the government what you would be ashamed to ask your neighbor for, cus thats who’s paying for it. And $50,000 is well above the poverty line. No one making that much should needhelp from the government. Having trouble paying your bills on $50,000. Spend less! See how that works! Its really very simple.
Comment by American Elephant — October 19, 2008 @ 6:04 pm - October 19, 2008
Does anyone seriously believe the The One is going to add 47 Million people to Medicare, create an entitlement for universal Pre-K (i.e., government-provided daycare), spend hundreds of billions on “infrastructue,” create an entitlement for college tuition… and do it all while only raising income taxes on the top 5% of taxpayers?
Really?
Really?
Comment by V the K — October 19, 2008 @ 7:57 pm - October 19, 2008
Alec worries thus:
Golly, gosh. Your hardworking neighbor has workmen’s comp and unemployment benefits. He qualifies for all sorts of disability welfare and job retraining. Furthermore, he is entitled to the COBRA benefits allowing him to remain with his “former” group insurance for at least a year. If he can not return to work because of his injuries, he may well qualify for disability under social security and that may qualify him for advanced medicare.
It is not as if there is a dearth of government welfare programs already in place.
As a hospital board member, I can assure you that he can receive top quality heath care on the dole, if his financial state is dire. Now, if he is making car payments on luxury transportation, that is a different matter. But then, he should be smart enough to be able to differentiate between basic health coverage and things he would “rather” spend his money on.
This is a big country. You will be hard pressed to find people who are being denied health care anywhere across the nation. The liberal press would be cramming examples down our throats on a daily basis if people were desperate for medical care. But, they don’t do it, because such cases are the exception and not the rule.
Comment by heliotrope — October 19, 2008 @ 9:00 pm - October 19, 2008
Alec – if I’m going to help a neighbor in need then I’d rather do it voluntarily and not at gunpoint. At gunpoint is how taxes are paid. If you don’t believe that then try not paying them.
If it’s greed to keep one’s own earnings then what do we call wanting to keep someone else’s earnings?
We cannot afford the entitlements on the books now so how do we afford more?
Most people are happy to help out voluntarily (just look up US charitable contributions and compare them to our more enlightened European “friends”).
Comment by SoCalRobert — October 19, 2008 @ 9:10 pm - October 19, 2008
Let’s not forget that one of Comrade Obama’s touted financial advisors just told us to be greedy.
Let’s look at a recent example, shall we? Joe the plumber IS a little guy and look at how he was treated by each side.
Now, tell me who you want standing by you. One party is going to stand by you, the other’s going to stand on you and grind you into the dirt.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — October 19, 2008 @ 11:19 pm - October 19, 2008
If liberals are so great, why was there such poverty in New Orleans? Why did we hear so many stories about poor people in the aftermath of Katrina?
For that matter, why does our country still have poverty? We’ve spent 40+ years and trillions+ dollars on a “war on poverty” with no exit strategy in site.
For that matter, if raising taxes are the answer, shouldn’t we look at Michigan, Louisiana, California, New Jersey and New York to see what raising taxes buys you?
Comment by ThatGayConservative — October 20, 2008 @ 1:26 am - October 20, 2008
I am the little guy and my husband made 50+ a year. Four years ago he was VERY injured at work. We lost his health coverage because he couldnt work. Yes we got workmans comp for a little while 500.00 a week, a little more than half our weekley bring home. Stay at home wife and 3 small kids I homeschool. WOW what a shock to our American Dream. We found ourselves in a personal crisis. My children returned to public school , and Mom had to support the family on minimum wage. Wasnt too long before the bank took our home, my car ( a Mitsubisi Outlander) not a luxury car I couldnt afford. My husband became addiced to pain pills because workmans comp wouldnt pay for the surgery to correct his injury. So here I am after 5 years. A single mother because I couldnt deal with a prescription drug addict, 3 kids living on hud and collecting foodstamps while working 40+ hours a week. I loved my american dream and when the system failed me My dreams too failed. So dont be so quick to say ask the neighbor, workmans comp will take care of you or the gov is there in a time like this. I would have said the same thing 6 yrs ago. But I lost everything. I olny belive in asking for help when needed, I do not find welfare a way of life, but where im at today for me at this point its the only option I have. Im very proud and would love for things to be better,, but all I can do now is try to vote for the right man that will help me.
Comment by TAMFRAN — October 21, 2008 @ 8:19 pm - October 21, 2008
and as for COBRA , thats great and all for 18 months but for me and my family, it would have cost 1458.89 a month. And I ask who would help with that? As far as social security, my husband finally after 5 yrs has a hearing scheduled for feb. Who was there to help for the last 5 years? You think you know it all and have it all together with your suggestions and knowlege of ssi and workmans comp, well we are not ppl who fell through the cracks of the system, we are the typical workmans comp SSI cases. And as for my neighbors, they didnt help me, they knew our situation and never asked if we needed anything. If your neighbors are not forced then they look the other way as their neighbors are forced from their homes.
Comment by TAMFRAN — October 21, 2008 @ 8:28 pm - October 21, 2008
Um, GayConservative…Louisiana is not liberal. The GOP intentionally let New Orleans fall apart because that was there one Democratic stronghold.
And being held by gunpoint to do the Christian thing? Perhaps if you would stop promoting this liar, fraud and follower of the Turner Diaries.
Comment by GOP Liars — May 5, 2009 @ 9:26 am - May 5, 2009