Holy Crap, A Candidate Answers a Question (a.k.a A Conversation with Joe the Plumber)

UPDATE: The video of Obama's actual interaction with Joe the Plumber below is what all the hubbub was about. Judge for yourself if you think McCain distorted their conversation...
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Okay, so it's a little ironic that Obama was on his way to the Town Hall style debate with McCain when the video below was shot. Ironic because the debate was little more than two stump speeches interrupted by questions from everyday people.

But this is just impressive. Not only did I learn something about Obama's tax plan, but it also shows that Barack really knows his shit. There was no scripting or telepromting involved. As a former Hillary supporter and long-time Obama-skeptic-turned-no-other-choice-but-still-a-little-tentative-supporter, this made my day.

I'd love to see McCain answer someone in this detailed and thoughtful a manner. (Just hope this hypothetical seeker of truth doesn't touch him while they ask, or he might lose his mind.)

So without further ado...a candidate answers a question. I had to see it to believe it, too:

PS: Be sure to watch the entire (6 minute) thing, because he doesn't leave until he actually answers the entire question!

via Plunderbund.

Cross-posted at kimmance.com

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Comments

[gihudson]

I watched the whole video and I still don't think it should be up to the government to decide what to do with our hard earned money. Obama says he wants to tax the rich & redistribute wealth. I'm not rich, but I believe in freedom and Obama wants to take that away. Of course he is a very charming speaker, he talks to make the most people happy.

Do you even trust what he says? He expediently changes his views and positions He even publicly distanced himself from his pastor and mentor of 20 years and said he didn't know what his pastor was saying in church.

[Kim Mance - Huffpost Blogger]

Roads, bridges, primary and secondary education -- a few things the government currently tells us what to do with our hard-earned money. Besides, John McCain freely tells you what to do with that tax credit he plans to give for health care. Yet he sure won't tell your employer to keep offering a health care plan once his farce of a tax cut buys your family half of an insurance policy. Nor will he tell insurance companies they can't be fraudulent.

Freedom doesn't mean crapping all over one's country at the expense of others. And that's just what the insurance company lobbyists have done. They are the ones winning in this lack of health care reform, not the average American.

And yes, it's difficult to trust politicians. Very difficult. I could give a crap about his speaking style, in fact I've often criticized people for overrating that trait. But I'm placing my bet on the one who disowned his pastor, but didn't vote with George W's failed policies 95 percent of the time. The one with actual plans, not just a glitzy choice in running mate.

[milo h minderbinder]

So THIS is what McCain is trying to pass off as a bad thing?

[myjs]

HuffPost's Pick

He would pay about $1,500 more on $25,000 (above $250,000)
39% $25,000 $9750 New Rate
33% $25,000 $8250 Old Rate

He can't afford the business because of $1500?

[milo h minderbinder]

I thought the current rate was 36? Which would make the difference half that.

[Kim Mance - Huffpost Blogger]

Yes, you're right. So...$750 bucks is what we're talking about here.

[GabrielVH]

look almost at the end, he tells the guy something like "even if i don't get your vote, if i win, i'll be still working hard for you, because i want you to succeed". he didn't say exactly that, it's not an exact quote but he still was honest... you might not vote for me, but if i win, i'll still work hard for you too.

O is inspirational, he doesn't act like your average politician (johnny mac).

[macrumpton]

What is this strange thing that Obama does where he spontaneously strings words together to form complete thoughts? It is almost as if he were able figure out the answers to questions by some mysterious process of thinking rather than just repeating the things that are on the script no matter what the question is.

It is all so confusing.

[OrganOfThought]

A high IQ plus education

[schatsie]

These small business owners have tremendous tax breaks because of their expense write offs including Pension, Gas, etc.......

BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX CUTS, the corporations use capital gains to reduce their take home salary income taxes... For instance, they would leave the money in the corporation instead of taking it out as income....­I am much more in favor of progressively taxing capital gains and dividends.­.. The widow who lives on her mite of dividends should in no way be taxed as greatly as the multimillionaire who takes out 1 million in dividends.­.. Same with capital gains... Lump them all together and then tax progressiv­ely...

[milo h minderbinder]

That was awesome. I don't know that I've EVER seen a candidate take that much time and go into it that specifically with a voter. Particularly when it's a guy who's obviously not very happy with Obama's proposed tax plan.

Why can't every politician be more like this?

[OrganOfThought]

Someone like O comes along only once in a generation.

[cwrwsa]

I can't believe there are still Americans (other than the mega rich) who would rather elect a President whose motto is to fight about everything with a sidekick who can outright lie to the American people and screech her fake outrage at "the abuses of power" (unless it applies to HER abuse of power).

Americans have tried confrontational and folksy for eight years.....­..is it really even an option this time over intelligence, contemplation, and a real desire to help the middle class?

[dotcomonmyface]

In a world as screwed up as this one ...
One man can't be shaken or stirred...
DoubleO bama
License to Competence
Coming Soon
(if you get out the vote)

[hardesty]

This is why he's up by 12 points or more in the polls.

[bowthai]

I see someone who is not only intelligent but also very respectful, someone who recognizes that we all have different opinions about the role of government but is willing to champion what he truly believes is best for the American people. There's no hint of elitism here, only a man who's putting his country first.

[Shieldmaiden]

Now that is some straight talk people.

[plafayette]

Not only does Obama take the time to answer questions, but the man also went door to door canvassing out in Ohio to let people know that their vote was important to him! I am willing to bet that the plummer will give his vote to Obama.

[sixletters]

Everybody, watch the video again and while your watching it think about Palin's interview with Katie Couric.

[115thDreamer]

I don't want to sound too cornball here, but that was downright inspirational. I think we've all seen McCain and Palin just ignore people outright when they try to ask tough questions, but Obama took the time to listen to this guy and laid some science on him. And he actually cited facts (imagine that!) -no horses**t like "I understand our ecomonic problems and I know how to fix them..." And he made the most valid point - you may pay a little more in taxes, but people below 250K that had previously put off that kitchen remodel are now suddenly calling you for business..­..boom, more business to offset the 3% tax increase. Again - inspirational. It seems downright radical after the run of Bush-Clinton-Bush - an actual candidate who's both a smart person and a good person at the same time? It's almost too good to be true. We've got make sure he wins, is all.