Joe The Plumber Tanks In Swing States

Campaign aides to John McCain told the New York Times last week that "Joe the Plumber" would form the bedrock of their strategy for the rest of the race:

Mr. McCain's advisers said that in his speeches, television advertisements and mailings, he would seize on a remark Mr. Obama made in an encounter with an Ohio voter, Joe Wurzelbacher, who had pressed him to explain his support for a tax increase for upper-income filers. Mr. Obama responded by saying he wanted to "spread the wealth." Mr. McCain repeatedly invoked that encounter with the man, whom he called "Joe the Plumber," during the debate on Wednesday.

Has it worked? Not exactly. A Suffolk University poll of Ohio and Missouri finds that name recognition of "Joe the Plumber" is very high in both states -- but only a handful of voters said it made them more likely to vote for the Republican candidate. In Ohio, 68% of respondents had heard the Joe story. Six percent said it made them more likely to vote for McCain; four percent said it made them more likely to vote for Obama. In Missouri a whopping 80% knew of Joe. Eight percent were more likely to vote McCain as a result; 3 percent more likely to vote Obama. In both states, vast majorities said the plumber's story did not affect their decision at all. Meanwhile, Obama is leading McCain in Ohio and is nearly tied with him in Missouri. More from the poll:

With just over two weeks left before the presidential election, voters in the key state of Ohio are giving the Democratic ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden a 9-point lead (51 percent-42 percent) over the Republican ticket of John McCain and Sarah Palin, according to a poll released today by Suffolk University.

In Missouri, McCain led by 1 percent (45 percent to 44 percent) statewide. He also led the bellwether test of Platte County, Mo.

"If Ohio goes for Obama, it may be lights out for McCain," said David Paleologos, director of the Political Research Center at Suffolk University in Boston. "At least today, the probability of an Ohio win is supported by the high-single-digit lead in the statewide poll coupled with the Perry County bellwether, which showed Obama leading by 4 percent."

In 2008, Suffolk University bellwethers were 95 percent accurate in predicting straight-up winners in both Democratic and Republican primaries, and, when coupled with statewide Suffolk polls, were 100 percent accurate in predicting straight-up winners.

Comments

[Ipanemagirl]

Isn't everybody tired of hearing about Joe the plumber, especially when his story is just a hoax? When I see palin at her rallies calling: marty the hairdresser, cynthia the florist, etc. I feel like I am in kindergarten again! Doe she not insult your intelligence to think we are all as stupid as she is? I find it nauseating!

[luvienne]

Joe the fraud. Doesn't have a plumbers license, doesn't make 250,000, didn't pay back taxes, is his name Joe? What else is wrong with this picture?

[Leon72]

I have proof that "Joe the Plumber" was a plant. His middle name is not even "Joe". On Hannity, he would Only concede his name is Sam J. Wurzelbucher. Yet he introduce himself as Joe to Senator Obama. Who introduces themselves to a dignitary, on t.v. no less, with a name that is not even his whatsoever(middle, nickname , first name, last name) NO ONE knows this man as Joe. The whole point was to then use him as "The Ordinary Joe" folk hero whose life would be adversely effected by Obama's tax plan. The McCain campaign would then use this folk hero to rally the people. On top of everything else, after the debate, this guy then said he was not going to reveal who he supported, yet he has now been making rounds on right wing radio. In addition, before he was discovered, he was a constant caller of right wing radio. The guy is an absolute fraud through and through. The fact that this tool of mcCain camp managed to get this loser so close to the Senator should have everyone thinking about how Secret Service is doing its job. I am concerned for Senator Obama's safety. Getting back to "Joe". The strategy backfired, thank god. But he is nothing more then a gimmick, surrogate and political hack for the McCain campaign. Disgusting!

[LAB11]

McCain crucified "Joe the plumber" for his own opportunistic self serving purposes. You can't hang that on Obama. This is just more of the McSame old selfishness. McSame is just a user/loser.

[bassnman]

At the time, he was not making a public statement, he was asking a question. In less than 24 hours I know more about Joe the Plumber than I do about either candidates background. Why would I ask a question if I were to get attacked the way he did, and you wonder why we get candidates like Obama and McCain.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. NEITHER one of the candidates is qualified or deserves to be President. The media has pushed these two on us and both will hurt the country.

[rpr]

The media has pushed these?
Not the two parties? I'm surprised.

[bassnman]

What I don't understand, McCain plant or not, is that an average American citizen that asks a question of a Presidental candidate has his entire history brought into question. I look at it as, what if it were me? Would I now ask a question that is perchance of a different mindset than that of the candidate? No way, I would be viciously attacked and questioned.

I thought the Democratic party and progressives were suppose to back the common worker. Is this what we are to expect under an Obama Presidency. Question me and you are either shreded by the media or called a racist. Nice country that we live in. It's a very sad day indeed. (Here come the thought police).

Also, all you free speechers out there that hate talk radio, when the fairness doctrine goes through and shuts down those voices where will you stand. I forget, that unless you have the same views there is no such thing as free speech.

[Star2000dancer]

Joe's name is Steve, & he's now in jail for back taxes.

[joeinvt]

I thought that Joe was being questioned, and not by the Democratc Party or the Obama campaign but by the media, for misrepresenting himself about being a plumber, in line to buy a plumbing business, or in line to pay more taxes. Poor Joe the unlicensed plumber has been played, exploited, and deceived by the McCain campaign. Either he is unaware that he gets a better tax break from Obama than McCain or he's playin' the rubes too. And since when In the USA can we not ask questions of a citizen who makes public statements about which he seems to be informed or fabricating?

[bassnman]

t the time, he was not making a public statement, he was asking a question. In less than 24 hours I know more about Joe the Plumber than I do about either candidates background. Why would I ask a question if I were to get attacked the way he did, and you wonder why we get candidates like Obama and McCain.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. NEITHER one of the candidates is qualified or deserves to be President. The media has pushed these two on us and both will hurt the country.

[Quotidien]

Poor Joe. This is all McCain's fault.

Should we all be reluctant to publicly ask a question to a Presidential candidate until all our parking tickets are paid and library books returned?

I really do think that Joe should be given the job of head plumber for McCain's 7 properties. It's only fair.

[Star2000dancer]

Joe's not a plumber either.

[rpr]

And his first name isn't Joe and he doesn't make $250,000 (he makes much less and would be much better off with Obama's tax plan.)
But the "the" in "Joe the plumber" is 100% correct!

[bellabeach]

Joe just needs to SHUT UP!!! Does he realize how stupid he sounds and how everyone by now has figured out his fifteen minutes of working for McCain are up!!

[winnie47]

Joe the Plumber was outed as a fraud within 24 hours of the final presidential debate. It was proven that in his current circumstances, he would actually see a drop in his taxes under the Obama plan. So tell me again, How did McCain think the story worked for HIM?

[rpr]

Because he's a fellow ultra-libertarian (not my wording - can't remember who coined that.)

[bogues]

Joe the Plumber was and is a regular on a right wing radio talk show in his area and I have no doubt what so ever that he was questioning Obama in order to have some fresh materiel to talk about on the radio. I would be willing to bet that he likes Rush Limbaugh a lot. This guy has very clear political views and most of them are to the far right. I saw this morning that he said he was once on welfare and that his parents were on it twice. Isn't it amazing that he was grateful for the Government hand out when he needed it but now looks down his nose at government programs like social security and welfare. I think he is a Hypocrite and not a plumber at all.

[Jazzcomedian]

I don't understand how the GOP always proclaims itself the party that wants to create wealth for most Americans when the historical Stock Market facts belie that:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/10/14/opinion/20081014_OPCHART.html


Democrats actually do "spread the wealth" in the sense that more Americans-­-including the wealthy, get a fair chance and enhanced opportunities to do better economically. FYI, people get rich during Democratic administrations. And the rich do fine. Buffet and Gate's net worth was actually more during the Clinton Administration than the Bush administration. It's better to make enough money to have a "tax problem", than to not make enough money to pay any taxes. What's wrong with that? Why do the Republicans hate that idea so virulently?

[DallasMike]

Ya its calles Socialism

[Diplomacy]

Most people see this all as a gimmick & it's worn out, just like the McCain Campaign!

[apeman637]

Todd better watch it -Me thinks joe is Sarah's back door man. Plumber Joe just a likley story a cover up like all the rest of those thugs.

[BeasleysMom]

But, they just keep talking about him. And they keep talking about Obama and Biden, instead of talking about McCain's non-existent or poorly thought out plans for health care, the economy and the war. Has anyone counted how many times McPalin utters those three names? No wonder they just keep slipping in the polls. I am sure that while Obama is with his sick grandmother, these two indecent people will not tone down their scrurilous attacks on Obama. They will see it as a chance to step up the mud slinging. No matter your personal beliefs, pray tonight for Obama's safety and the future of this country. And vote early!

[boing007]

Tanks like a leaky aquarium.

[mhm1924]

I feel Joe The Plumber's Real name is JOE THE GOP PLANT.