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Joe the plumber is the latest name in 2008 U.S Presidential elections. Joe the plumber and U.S Presidential Election 2008 have become integrally related. Both McCain and Obama have mentioned Wurzelbacher a several times during the 90 minute Presidential debate; 26 times, to be precise. While Mr McCain roped in Joe in the debate and mentioned him 21 times, Barack Obama mentioned Mr. Wurzelbacher five times. Mr Wurzelbacher was in the top 10 searches on Google, a day after the U.S Presidential Debate. Now, the question is who is Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, or more commonly known as, Joe the plumber, and what role does he play in the U.S Presidential elections 2008?
It all began with a simple question. U.S Democratic nominee Barack Obama was in Ohio for presidential campaigns, when Joe Wurzelbacher, who was tossing a ball with his son, comes and tells him that he’s about to buy a company that would make more than $250,000 a year. Joe’s question was: “Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn’t it?” to which Obama replied saying that he would get a 50% tax credit a cut in taxes for health care, if his revenue is above 250. He further added saying that the tax cut is for the benefit of 95% of small business owners who make less than 250 a year. They will be taxed at a 39 instead of a 36% rate.
Next, Joe asks that since he’s a hard working plumber for 15 years – why he should be taxed more. Obama answered by saying that 95% of hard working people are making less than 250, but they are being taxed at a higher rate in the present taxation policy. This is what set the ball rolling. It is because Joe’s question harps on an important issue: whether small business entrepreneurs like him are going to suffer severe tax cuts, if they are planning to make some extra bucks. While Democratic nominee Barack Obama talks of eliminating the capital gains tax, Republican candidate McCain is using this as a potent weapon against Obama’s ‘spread the wealth’ message in 2008 U.S Election Campaign. Considering the dire consequences of U.S economy recession, Joe’s question will play a determining factor in shaping the voters’ opinion in 2008 U.S Presidential elections.
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