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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Lieberman: 'We turned the corner'

Posted: Thursday, October 16, 2008 2:31 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ’s Adam Aigner-Treworgy

DOWINGTON, Pa. -- At a rally this afternoon, Joe Lieberman not only declared McCain the winner of last night's debate, but he also said that the victory would change the course of his friend's campaign.

"We turned the corner in the debate last night didn't we?," Lieberman asked over 1,000 people gathered at a sports complex here. "We changed the momentum. We're on the road to victory in Pennsylvania and through all America."

For his part, McCain said he thought he did "pretty well," but he said that Joe the Plumber was the real winner.

"Joe's the man," McCain said. "He won and small businesses won across America. They won because the American people are not going to let Senator Obama raise their taxes in a tough economy. They're not gonna let him do it my friends."

Recounting the story he told last night and the day before on the campaign trail about Obama's interaction with Joe, McCain criticized what he said was Obama's message to Joe, namely that the government should "spread his wealth around."

"He wants government to take Joe's money and give it to somebody else, his hard-earned dollars," McCain said of his opponent. "We're not going to stand for that. America didn't become the greatest nation on earth by spreading the wealth, we became the greatest nation on earth by creating new wealth."

Saying that he feels the government is not doing enough to help people stay in their homes, McCain again criticized Obama's healthcare policy for creating a fine that will kill jobs and make mortgages more burdensome. He also referenced Obama's words on offshore drilling from last night, saying that America has had "enough consideration" and needs to drill offshore now.

While praising the Philadelphia Phillies for securing their first World Series berth since 1993, McCain also defended his Philadelphia area supporters.

"You know there has been some comments about people who come our rallies, I cannot tell you how proud I am of all of you," McCain said. "I cannot tell you how proud I am, every working man and woman who's here, every family member."

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No one who ever said, 'My friend' to me was ever really my friend.
Now we have , " Cup of Joe ", " Joe six pack ", and " Your average Joe ". We also have, " Joe the plumber ", who is less than a plumber and makes far less than he claimed to be worried about getting taxed for. And " Joe the turn coat Lieberman ", did you notice the first three letters of his last name? Three of these are real and you might want to spend time with, two are a fraud. I'll give everyone three guesses as to the real vs. fraud and the first two guesses don't count.


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