'Joe the Plumber' -  Unexpected Star of US Presidential Debate | Voice of America - English
One of the unexpected stars of Wednesday night's U.S.
Sam Joe Wurzelbacherunknowingly stepped into the election spotlight when he met SenatorObama as the Democratic nominee campaigned Sunday in Toledo, Ohio. Thebald, brawny plumber asked Obama about his plan to increase taxes forpeople who earn more than $250,000 a year. Wurzelbacher explainedthat he wants to buy the small plumbing business where he works, andsaid he was worried that would put him into the upper tax bracket ofObama's plan. Obama acknowledged that that might be the caseand said he did not want to punish the plumber with higher taxes, butsaid "... I think that when we spread the wealth around, it is good foreverybody." The exchange was captured on video, and was aired on theconservative Fox News cable network, who interviewed the plumber. Earlyin Wednesday's debate, Senator John McCain brought up Wurzelbacher, andrepeatedly used him as an example to attack Obama's plan, which SenatorMcCain said would tax the wealthiest Americans, calling it "classwarfare." McCain looked straight at the camera and spoke to Joe. "Joe,I want to tell you, I will not only help you buy that business that youworked your whole life for and I will keep your taxes low and I willprovide available and affordable health care for you and youremployees," he said. "And I will not stand for a tax increase on smallbusiness income." Obama defended his tax plan, saying he hadexplained to Joe at the rally that 98 percent of small businesses makeless than $250,000 a year. "What I essentially said to himwas, five years ago, when you were not in a position to buy yourbusiness, you needed a tax cut then," he said. "And what I want to dois to make sure that the plumber, the nurse, the firefighter, theteacher, the young entrepreneur who does not yet have money, I want togive them a tax break now. And that requires us to make some importantchoices." Both candidates then continued to direct their answersto "Joe the Plumber" throughout much of the debate, using him as asymbol of an ordinary American as they outlined their health care plansand detailed how they might effect Joe. The 34-year-old singlefather was watching the debate at home in his living room, and said hewas surprised to hear his name mentioned so many times. As the debatecontinued, his phone began ringing, with journalists trying to contacthim. In one interview, he would not say who he is planning to vote for, but had this commentary after the debate. "Ithink McCain did much better this time, he really got out his points,"said Wurzelbacher. "So, I was pleased with that. I mean Obama, youcannot take away that he is just a very, he is a damned good speaker. But McCain came across with some solid points and I was real happyabout that. He came across with his tax cuts, which I think areultimately very good." Wurzelbacher said he is skeptical ofObama. "Obama, I mean he sits there and says he wants to help themiddle class, but you know I am middle class," he said. "You have seenmy house. You know I do not have any bells and whistles [fancy things]in here really. And you know, my truck is a couple of years old and Iam going to have it for the, you know, next 10 years, probably. So,you know, I do not see him helping me out." On Thursday,Wurzelbacher held news conferences in front of a crowd of reportersgathered in his suburban Toledo, Ohio driveway. He said all the mediaattention made him feel like "Britney Spears with a headache." He saidthe McCain campaign had asked him to attend a weekend rally, but healready had plans to travel to New York. On the campaigntrail, McCain's vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin also talkedabout "Joe and Jane the Plumber" to attack Obama's tax plan, a signthat Joe may be invoked many times in the last days of the campaign.