So my next point of ridiculousness comes in the form of America's most famous toilet plunger, Joe the Plumber. This "average guy" (I have doubts about his true intentions) got in Obama's face and asked him a pointed question about taxes and small business owners.
I think that's great.
Really, I am proud for Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher, who had the courage to approach a presidential candidate which did not share his views, look him in the eyes and ask him a question that really cuts to the chase of Obama's core economic plans. Seriously, bravo Joe, that was a great moment for you. However, it all goes downhill from here.
Obama answered his question, in fact if you watch the entire 6 minute exchange I think he really tries to explain precisely what he will do and give some background as to why he wants to do it. Agree with him or not, he did not blow the question off simply because it put him on the defensive and he certainly paid Joe lots of attention for his efforts. But Joe wasn't happy enough with it. He claimed Obama had just given him the circular talk most politicians are famous for and never a real answer. He got to throw his gotcha question to a presidential candidate, and even scored a soundbite for the conservatives with the comment about "spreading the wealth", but apparently he was caught off guard that Obama took the time to answer him and Joe decided that wasn't good enough for the American people. He thrust himself into the spotlight and national news cameras, that was his own doing. And everything since has been a downward spiral of nonsense. I don't think it's right that Joe's personal info has been shared with the world, but I also don't think this guy deserves all the attention he's getting. Clearly he doesn't have a lot of views of his own...He has his own opinions, but we all know the old adage - Opinions are like assholes, everyone's got one. That's fine. But he goes out campaigning for McCain and Palin and giving speeches where he doesn't even know what he's saying, admits that he's not expert on anything, encourages the voters to go out and research this stuff for themselves (that part I agree with), and then ruins it all by making some dumbass conclusion and stumping for the Republicans over and over even though he still hasn't made any arguments about anything. He brings up like half a point on something, gives his "working man" opinion and then says he's no expert go find out for yourself. If you can't even back up your own talking points, don't bother spreading them and telling people to check for themselves because if you didn't, they probably won't either. When you're appealing to the lowest common denominator, you need to speak in clear language.
Which I guess is one reason Joe the Plumber has become so popular with the anti-intellectual, beer-swilling masses being pandered to by the Republican party. It's 3 words, and it sounds like a toddler's TV show. Easy to grasp, they like that.
But here's the real kicker for me. Last week on the campaign trail, a supporter asked Joe, again while cameras were rolling, if he agreed that "a vote for Barack Obama is a vote for the death of Israel"...and Joe said he'd have to go ahead and agree with this guy. Now Joe hasn't offered ANY background for his position. He was afterwards interviewed on Fox News, by Shepard Smith, about his viewpoint, and he simply could not provide any reasons why he would agree with this statement.
PEOPLE - THE MAN IS A PLUMBER, NOT A FOREIGN POLICY EXPERT!
It really pisses me off too because as Jew, I feel like I know a little about Israel. I've actually been there. But what does Joe know about Israel and why, when Obama has clearly stated his support for the country, does Joe maintain he would mean "death" to Israel?? If he could only explain why he thinks that it would be one thing, but he can't, because he's just randomly agreeing with any outrageous statement that can be made.
The exchange on Fox News had to have been the nail in the coffin here, at least one would think. Even Fox's Smith claimed it was truly frightening that someone with so little knowledge or ability to voice their concerns was out there making blanket statements like this and influencing voters. But Joe remains on the campaign trail and is one of the cornerstones of McCain's plans, which probably won't benefit him at all.
late edit: Just needed to add this link in for reference: http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/politics/joe_the_plumber_has_some_thoughts_on_the_israelipalestinian_conflict_98934.asp
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