We’re tracking perspectives from FOX News, CNN and MSNBC on the United States newest political star.
From FOX News – we find there’s one name on everyone’s mind, and it’s not John McCain or Barack Obama.
“There he is on the right-hand side. Joe Wurzelbacher. He wasn’t on the stage, he’s Joe the plumber, as everybody knows by now. John McCain and Barack Obama mentioned him 25 times.” (www.foxnews.com)
CNN playfully pointed out how eager the candidates were to bring up Joe the Plumber at every opportunity.
“Somebody get some Drano and unclog this debate! John McCain never met Joe the Plumber, but an hour into the debate, they were best friends. Eventually, both candidates were speaking directly to Joe.” (www.cnn.com)
A few days ago, Wurzelbacher discussed taxes with Barack Obama at a campaign stop in Ohio.
He could be subject to Obama’s plan to tax earnings of more than $250,000 dollars.
During the debate, both candidates used him as a symbol of the typical American “everyman.” But Wurzelbacher downplayed his newfound celebrity.
REPORTER: What do you think you represent to all the other Joes out there?
Joe Wurzelbacher: “Right now I’m just completely flabbergasted with this whole thing, and I’m sure if it happened to them they would be as so. I just hope I’m not making a fool of myself and hope I can get some kind of message out there as far as watch actions, and don’t listen to what someone else tells you, read it yourself.” (www.msnbc.com)
MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough took the perspective that talk of Joe the Plumber lessened the time for substance and issues.
“Everybody was laughing, counting up, but I was really disappointed at the punditry last night, ‘cause they were so focused on how many times both candidates said “Joe the Plumber.” Nobody stopped and said, “OK,. Let’s be very clear here. Barack Obama did say, “we are going to tax Joe the Plumber, even if he says he’s not going to start a new business, we’re going to regulate him, we’re going to punish him on some of these health care issues. Nobody talked about this.” (www.msnbc.com)
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