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Debate No. 3: Joe the plumber gets his 15 minutes.
By Paul Gleiser | October 15, 2008 | 
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Joe Wurzelbacher is a plumber in Toledo, Ohio. In a now-famous encounter earlier this week, Sen. Obama told Joe the Plumber that he needed to raise Joe’s taxes in order to “spread the wealth.”
Joe got 15 separate mentions as each candidate tried to frame his policies based on the impact they would have on Joe the Plumber. McCain spoke directly to Joe and forced Obama to speak to Joe to rebut the statements of McCain.
By the end of the night, McCain had fired a few shots and had displayed a few bursts of passion and irritation. But Obama easily handled them all.
Obama’s task was fairly simple. Make no mistakes and run out the clock. McCain’s task was much more daunting. Deliver a blow strong enough to change the momentum of the campaign.
Obama clearly succeeded and in so doing, won the debate and most likely wrapped up the presidency.
Topics: Barak Obama, Debates, John McCain | No Comments »