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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



McCain finally finds his plumber

Posted: Thursday, October 30, 2008 5:22 PM by Domenico Montanaro

Joe the Plumber says McCain is 'real American'

From NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy
ELYRIA, Ohio -- After looking for him to no avail at his Ohio bus tour stop this morning, McCain found Joe the Plumber in Sandusky this afternoon and then brought him along to Lorain Community College as well. Although both the candidate and his new traveling companion made mostly the same remarks at each stop, Joe added one key line.

“Get out there and vote; it’s very important,” Joe said, after extolling the virtues of being well informed. “You get out here and get the American people back in charge of our government. Hold politicians' feet to the fire when they mess up. That’s what we’re out here to do. All right? Smaller government, you know? As far as everyone else here, well, that’s the question and go ask them to vote for a real American, John McCain.”

At the first stop, Joe had simply encouraged the crowd to vote without telling them to support McCain. But before a much smaller crowd at the college, Joe was a bit more specific.

During his introduction, McCain also had many a kind word for Joe, who has become something of a mascot for his campaign. 

“So my friends, all the efforts we made in trying to make sure Americans understood that Sen. Obama wants to raise your taxes and he wants to increase your spending by $1 trillion, was the man who spoke for small businesses all over America Joe the Plumber,” McCain said.

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We keep on hearing this message coming from the Republican Party (and now from McCain's newest spokeman "Joe The Plumber") : "a real American" ...

"A Real American"? In comparison with what? Americans are tired of being labeled as "pro-American" and "anti-American" ... there is only one America!!
In the erratic and volatile world of John McCain's mind, there lives an old friend named Joe the Plumber, a wealthy independent voter and lifelong resident of Ohio who is currently on the verge of buying his boss' small plumbing business.  
In the real world, of course, we know that "independent" "Joe" the "plumber" is not an old friend of the Republican presidential candidate (he has never met McCain).  Joe's first name is not Joe, it's Sam.  He makes less than $50,000 a year, so he's not considered wealth.  Sam/Joe isn't an independent voter, he is an extremist Republican who lived in Alaska for a few years!  As you may have guessed from his annual income, he is in no position to buy a small business,
Finally, John McCain's imaginary friend does not even have a plumber's license.
But if Sam/Joe was somehow able to buy the plumbing business, he would benefit MORE from an Obama presidency than a McCain administration.  Sam/Joe admitted the fact that he would receive TRIPLE the tax cut from Obama compared to McCain.
So why did John McCain bring up Sam/Joe the Plumber so many times?  Perhaps McCain is running for president of Imagination Land.  If that's the case, then I finally understand his choice for running mate!
Fortunately, for those of us in the real world, we have a real choice in this election.  John McCain:  the hero of his own world of make believe; or Barack Obama: the hero of the American middle class.
Joe the plumber does not speak for small businesses.  He does not have a small business.  He does not even have a plumber's licence??!
******************************************************
OBAMA IS NOT TRUSTWORTHY.

HIS EUROPEAN-STYLE “TAX & WELFARE” PLAN WILL CREATE  ANOTHER GENERATION OF DEPENDENTS.

HE IS a SOCIAL ‘RADICAL’ & a POLITICAL EXTREMIST.

HE IS A SALESMAN OF “GLOOM & DOOM”.

OBAMA IS NOT ‘QUALIFIED’ TO BE OUR PRESIDENT!!

******************************************************
"Vote for a real American, John McCain.”

This barely veiled implication that Sen. Obama (and his supporters) are not "real Americans" is just not going to work.  

The electorate has become more engaged, more well-informed and more able to recognize these attacks for what they are; incendiary, divisive and bad for the democratic process.

In just 5 days, Americans will issue a powerful mandate for change.  Not just in policy in Washington, but in campaign tactics.  I wonder how long it will take for Republican candidates to fully let go of the Rovian playbook they've held so dear.
Joe is so shallow that he thinks those who don't share his pro war, anti social security & other extreme conservative views are not real americans. One of the reasons McCain is losing independent and conservative/modereate democrats is a consequence these divisive & extreme views.  
So, Obama is a "fake American"? That's par for the Republicans..Just like Bachman fron MN..
his name is Samuel, not Joe, he is not a licensed plumber. I want to vote for McCain I really do but if that means I have to listen to this guy and Count Smug-ula Palin for the next 4-8 years, I would rather vote for Obama or Bush again. Please John we love you but one annoying, vapid, ignorant side kick is enough.
I guess "Joe's" (not his real name) people got with McCain's people to make that happen.  It was reported yesterday that this guy (I forget his real name) now has an agent, and hopes for a career in country music and whatever else his 15 minutes of fame can garner him.  He really does have a lot in common with Ms. "Whack Job," as far as his desire to capitalize.  Has he yet figured out that he'd benefit far more under Obama's tax plan?  But then again, when he's a star, he'll be right up there in the oil company's tax bracket, n'est pas?  He also fits in with his apparent view that anyone who doesn't share his right wing views is not a "real" American.
Poor John.  Joe the Fraud is all he has left besides Cindy.  Everyone else has flown the coop.  Even Sarah won't get near him, although it does appear she has the hots for Joe.
Well, it stands to reason that a liar like McCain would look for support from a liar like "Joe." Neither of them can concoct an honest argument in favor of McCain, so they resort endlessly to falsehood and divisive tactics.

We had more than enough of these tactics when Bush used them to run the country into the ground. McCain is only (and intentionally) making i harder for us to unite in support of a better America.

"Country First," my Aunt Hattie!
I'm really shocked that the RNC is continuing to throw money at this campaign instead of trying to save some of their congressional seats. It's obvious to me that McCain doesn't anticipate a win, since he's not even going to address his supporters in person on Tuesday night. I'm fine with a completely Democratic congress and White House, I'm just shocked that the Rupublicans seem so willing to give Congress to us.

OBAMA/BIDEN


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