Joe the Mascot.
I've stayed away from this story as much as possible, largely because I detest when campaigns try to make mascots out of individual voters. It's right up there with the pigeonholing of certain Americans as "soccer moms", "NASCAR dads" and the like.
I saw the video before most of America did, so when John McCain brought him up in the final debate, I saw it coming. What I didn't anticipate was him "mascot-ing" Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, a guy who merely asked Obama a question in a ropeline. It was thoroughly insulting to think that McCain thought this would resonate with voters (it didn't), especially those of us who are suffering through this economic downturn, but don't have anything in common with this guy, someone who McCain (presumably, at the time) didn't know anything about beyond the conversation you see above.
Ta-Nehisi Coates took the most salient point out of the exchange:
It really says a lot about Obama as a politician. I don't think John McCain could have handled that situation. I'm almost certain Sarah Palin couldn't do it. Barack looks him in the eye, is respectful but direct, and makes his point. This is the difference between true toughness and bluster. Watch the tape--it's why Obama is winning. It doesn't matter that Joe isn't voting for Obama.There were many hints to that effect since McCain made him famous (something McCain blamed on Obama, despite mentioning him 21 times in the debate). He had one of the most awkward pressers I've ever seen the day after the debate, and it was revealed that he'd already donated to McCain's campaign. There have been theories that he's been a GOP plant all along. But now, Joe the Plumber has made it official. He's endorsed McCain:
Joe Wurzelbacher, a.k.a. "Joe the Plumber," on Tuesday twice agreed with a claim from an audience member at a John McCain rally that "a vote for Barack Obama is a vote for the death to Israel."No wonder the neocons love this guy. The death of Israel? Proof that mascots shouldn't talk...
(H/T: Sullivan. Cross-posted at 1,369 lightbulbs.)
SHEPARD SMITH: Joe, do you know Barack Obama's positions on Israel? SAMUEL J.
WURZELBACHER: Listen, I know you wanna really get some answers on this one, I'm just not gonna help you out here, Shepherd. Let people go out and find, that's what I've been telling people. [...] Listen, you don't want my opinion on foreign policy. I know just enough probably to be dangerous.
SHEPARD SMITH: Yeah, well that's what I was kinda wondering.
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Why do I have a feeling the RNC will be taking care of this guy's tax liens?
Thanks for the quote from Fox News. If they can't put lipstick on that pig, no one can.
October 28, 2008 7:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even more hilarity from the Fox News interview, contained in the link I posted above:
PLUMBER: That goes back to what I just got done saying. Some people believe it wholeheartedly. This gentleman I spoke to is Middle America. Therefore...it is very important to him -- important to me, but especially important to this gentleman. He is Middle America and he was able to get on there and make his point, and I agreed with him. I have no idea where John McCain's position is on that. John McCain is his own person, just like I am.
SMITH: Do you think a lot of that has to do with some hateful things that spread all over the internet? After all, Barack Obama has said repeatedly time after time that there is nothing more important that the United States friendship with Israel-- and the United States will back up Israel every moment of every day if and when he becomes President of the United States. He could not have been clearer about it in his positions in speeches, and I just wonder what it is that makes you think he is lying about that.
PLUMBER: [illegible] Actions...I have heard words. I hear words from politicians all the time, but actions [crosstalk] the action that I see is offering to meet with certain enemies of the United States on no uncertain terms --
SMITH: Meeting with Ahmadinejad? That is what the campaign said. Let's put the statement on the screen. This is what the McCain campaign released after you said that at the campaign event today. So that is what they put out. "While he's clearly his own man, so far Joe has offered some penetrating and clear analysis that cuts to the core of many of the concerns that people have with Barack Obama's statements and policies. Whether it is Obama's willingness to sit down unconditionally with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, or his plans to redistribute the paychecks of hardworking Americans, there is good reason to question the judgement that Obama would bring to the Oval Office." So that's what they put out, so I guess the fact that he has said it he would meet with Ahmadinejad is something that you have taken to believe would be the death of Israel?
PLUMBER: It definitely does not help the situation. I'm not trying to be dancing around this. I honestly want people to go out and find their own reasons. I tell people not to listen to everyone else's opinion. I'm not going to have them start listening to mine. Go out and get informed.
SMITH: Joe Wurzelbacher on the line with us after a GOP stop, a number of them today.
I just want to make this 100 percent perfectly clear -- Barack Obama has said and demonstrated repeatedly that Israel will always be a friend of the United States, no matter what happens once he becomes President of the United States. His words. The rest of it -- man...some things--it just gets frightening sometimes. We'll be right back.
Motherfucker couldn't name one good reason for throwing out that charge, nor could he substantiate it. Goes to show you he's no deeper than the talking points. Good on Shepard Smith for the disclaimer at the end.
October 28, 2008 8:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Knew I should've hit "Preview"...
October 28, 2008 8:03 PM | Reply | Permalink