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October 29, 2008
Was there ever any doubt?
Joe the Plumber, originally uploaded by lannadelarosa.
Joe the Plumber certainly has cashed in on his fame, hasn't he? Why, it was only two weeks or so ago that the supposedly undecided voter questioned Barack Obama about his tax plan. Now, just like that, he's campaigning all around Ohio for John McCain, and unleashing some gems along the way:
He is writing a book on American values, and he hasn't ruled out running for Congress.
And on Tuesday, Oct. 28, in a well-organized rollout by Sen. John McCain's campaign, he endorsed McCain, announcing his support during a day-long bus tour with stops in Columbus, Dayton, Milford, Middletown and Cincinnati.
"My choice in this is McCain," he told a crowd of about 80 packed into the Dublin Pub in downtown Dayton. "I plan on voting for a real American."
Whoah, Joe the Plumber endorsed McCain? This is a bigger upset than when the Tribune endorsed Obama!
I think this erases any doubt that Joe was a "plant" by the McCain campaign. It's possible they had no intention of turning Joe into a quasi-celebrity, but McCain's use of him in the debate was by no means accidental. Furthermore, Joe zinged Obama last week with a soundbite that came right out of the McCain playbook - I can't find it anymore, but it was pretty obvious.
For me, the frustrating part about Joe the Plumber is that McCain is trying to tout him as some average American who stood up to Barack Obama. I don't doubt that he's an average American - but what I do doubt is that he questioned Obama on his own accord. It sure looks like he had some encouragement from the McCain campaign.
entry no. 1235
Posted at October 29, 2008 07:25 AM