Debate wrap-up: Senator Government vs. Johnny Mac and Joe the Plumber

By Michelle Malkin  •  October 15, 2008 10:47 PM

No, there weren’t any knockout punches.

But John McCain was still standing at the end of the night — doubts about his fortitude adequately quelled — and Barack Obama ought to be wiping the smirk he borrowed from Joe Biden off his face.

Joe Wurzelbacher the Plumber was a heaven-sent gift for the McCain campaign, and for once, McCain didn’t flub the opportunity to rub the infamous “spread the wealth around” line in Obama’s smug face. Obama’s tin-ear response? Citing his billionaire “friend” Warren Buffett!

Alas, Ayers and ACORN receded into the background. But McCain brought the education debate to the present and spotlighted Obama’s anti-school choice policies that render him woefully out of touch with increasing numbers of minority families.

The best line of the night may have been unplanned (or maybe not)? In jabbing Obama’s spend-spend-spend plans, McCain called him “Senator Government.”

“Senator Government.”

It’s a fitting moniker for the Democrat candidate who spent the whole night talking about “investing” other people’s money. Perfect.

McCain ought to call him that from now until Nov. 4.

And someone from the McCain camp better have Joe’s phone number and arrange a joint appearance pronto.

Joe made Senator Government squirm.

Let’s see more. Better late than never.

See what others have said

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Comments


  1. #502683
    On October 16th, 2008 at 11:38 am, Donut44 said:

    I can’t say much for Obama’s substance,but Obama not only won last night’s debate on points, but on style as well. Last night was the first time where I actually would prefer Obama over McCain as president despite the socialistic future he will bring (based on the debate only of course). But then again, our compassionate conservative in the White House has made things easier for him by nationalizing our banking system, among other questionable acts.

    McCain is a Senator and just can not get beyond that. Being a Senator was never Obama’s primary goal, so he doesn’t act like a typical one, but McCain plays the part to a “T”. McCain is built for those one liners after a “grueling” Senate debate, in which they all pat each other on the back inside, then go outside to pretend they all hate each other in front of the media for a second and then meet each other at the cocktail party down the street.

    Most importantly for the debate and I am sure for policy in general, McCain doesn’t know how to finish anything. Of course his start isn’t very good either, but he never knows how to finish. With this being the case, the cool and calm Obama just sits back patiently, rambles about nothingness and waits till McCain fizzles out.

    I doubt Obama even broke a sweat last night and there is a good chance, he won’t the rest of the way to election night.

  2. #502703
    On October 16th, 2008 at 11:49 am, Ilovemycountry said:

    This thing is getting more bizarre by the moment – so let’s what we’ve got here:

    Some guy named Joe, who’s a plumber and makes over $250,000 a year?

    And he’s worried about his bank account?

    And you people actually believe this story? Okay, I’ll take your word for it.

    This must be very difficult for all of you – you’re watching this talented man from America’s heartland (Kansas) who wants to create a green industry in the heartland and is attempting to create 5 million new jobs based in the heartland – but there’s one catch – the man who’s proposing this has black skin (so you have to find reasons not to support his ideas and you come up with a plumber making $250,000 a year).

    Even though Obama says Joe “the 250K plumber” is exempt from my tax plan.

    What is it about people of color that you folks hate so much?

  3. #502705
    On October 16th, 2008 at 11:53 am, greenfairie said:

    That’s the problem…when are we going to stop judging people purely on style? If that’s the case, we’ll end up with a Mussolini or Hitler someday. Bad enough that “style” got us 8 years of Billy Jeff Clinton.

  4. #502710
    On October 16th, 2008 at 11:54 am, ErinF said:

    Last night was the first time where I actually would prefer Obama over McCain as president despite the socialistic future he will bring

    Hey moonbat, since you love Hussein the Socialist so very much, I am going to allow you the distinct pleasure of paying for my tax increase after he steals the election.

    I’m a small business owner, and can barely afford the current tax rate. I am not voting for the guy who wants to raise my taxes which will put me out of business. You want to vote for the tax hiker. So, just let me know where I can send you my 09 tax bills. Thanks in advance! That’s very generous of you. Socialists are so generous!

  5. #502712
    On October 16th, 2008 at 11:55 am, right4life said:

    Some guy named Joe, who’s a plumber and makes over $250,000 a year?

    actually he doesn’t, but he would like to.

    And you people actually believe this story? Okay, I’ll take your word for it.

    I’m sure you beleived someone shouted ‘kill him’ about obama…sigh…

    This must be very difficult for all of you – you’re watching this talented man from America’s heartland (Kansas) who wants to create a green industry in the heartland and is attempting to create 5 million new jobs based in the heartland

    who is this? Obama is from Hawaii..and what is this fantasy plane you talk about?

    What is it about people of color that you folks hate so much?

    charges of racism…so predictable from a racist liberal.

  6. #502716
    On October 16th, 2008 at 11:56 am, Donut44 said:

    Ilovemycountry says “waaaaaaa, waaaaaa, waaaaaa”

    So how many other articles on MM site have you posted the same tripe seeing if you can get a response?

    Anyone on MM that even responds in kind to this post is giving in to the bait and I hope no one does.

    Currently, the only hate being exhibited is by someone who has to say he loves his country in order to try to convince others and himself.

  7. #502718
    On October 16th, 2008 at 11:56 am, right4life said:

    Last night was the first time where I actually would prefer Obama over McCain as president despite the socialistic future he will bring (based on the debate only of course

    very good Winston, you’ve learned to love big brother!!

  8. #502720
    On October 16th, 2008 at 11:57 am, Send_Me said:

    And people wonder how we got to this point, a choice between Obama or McCain, a socialist or a moderate socialist? Ever since Reagan, the Republicans, specifically the “conservative” branch of the party, has sold its soul in order to save what little they have left in terms of representation by the Republican candidates. “Conservatives” have been weak-minded, short-sighted, and, frankly, cowardly in regards to standing up for their beliefs. “Conservatives” (I have a hard time finding the meaning of the term anymore- even McCain claims to be one) have done themselves no favors by consistently voting for the “lesser of two evils” in the past 5 elections. We wonder why McCain won’t listen to the “base”? Have you ever thought that he realizes, with good reason, that he doesn’t have to do so? Why should he? He already has your vote. What else does he need from you? So what, you’re pissed off? Why should he care if you’re pissed off if he still gets your vote? “Conservatives” have been weak in not demanding that Republican candidates stand for their principles or else they won’t vote for them. “Conservatives” have lacked any vision by thinking that things would somehow get better by continually giving their blind support to those who don’t support their ideals. “Conservatives” have been cowardly by fearing the loss of what little they have in terms of political representation have rather than trying to win.
    So this election day, whether anyone else stands with me or not, I’m doing my part to say “That is the last straw” to the Republican party by voting for a third party candidate. Some may say, “oh, well you’re giving your vote to Obama.” No, my vote is going to someone who shares my ideals, something of which neither Obama nor McCain have any apparent understanding.

  9. #502723
    On October 16th, 2008 at 11:59 am, ErinF said:

    Some guy named Joe, who’s a plumber and makes over $250,000 a year?

    Gimme a break! Joe never said he makes a quarter mil a year! He said he aspires to someday make that. Socialists like Obama want to penalize anybody that wants to build their own wealth! Socialists like Obama want to tax the living f*** out of anybody that wants to be self-made! People like The One will seek to destroy every ounce of entrepreneurial spirit America has left.

    I’ve had it with you stupid Obama pushers!

  10. #502731
    On October 16th, 2008 at 12:03 pm, Donut44 said:

    Let me re-phrase my last line. Apparently, ErinF has enough hate to spread around as well, I stand corrected.

    Erin, feel free to send me an email and you can send me any taxes you like. I don’t mind passion from the right and I am sure I am way passed you on that front of idealogy, but you need to learn to contain yourself. I spend time on liberal blogs and this one and have unfortunately seen so much hate coming from those I expect more from, including you and other MMers.

    I do feel your pain as my wife and I would like to be business owners and literally came within a heartbeat of it just five weeks ago, but we pulled out fearing the current and future environment.

    If you can’t read, then don’t post. Sorry for being so blunt. I wouldn’t vote for Obama if Marx himself was on the other ticket. I was merely talking about the debate and I stated that.

    If you have anger, you need to join the crowd. You need to attack your party officials and McCain. I will neither lose or win this election, but the candidates will.

  11. #502749
    On October 16th, 2008 at 12:10 pm, WarEagle82 said:

    Bingo! “Ilovemycountry” wins the “race card” sweepstakes today. Frankly, I am surprised it took 71 minutes for some troll to make the claim.

    Think about it. If the man works alone he needs only bill $83 an hour for 60 hours a week for 50 weeks to gross $250K. I am an IT consultant and I bill between $90 and $140 an hour. A plumber working his butt off can make a fortune. But, Obama and his leftist friends don’t want us to know that. In Obama’s world, success only comes to “fat cats” or from government hand-outs.

    If a white man succeeds through his own work he must be oppressing a person of color!

    We have a winner!!!!

    On October 16th, 2008 at 10:38 am, WarEagle82 said:
    Of course Joe the Plumber is a plant and a nazi and a racist, bigot, homophobe and a Kulak as well!

    Anyone and everyone who opposes Obamassiah is evil.

    We should all feel sorry for poor BHO who was brutally ambushed by this evil man. It is only a matter of time until some Obama campaign volunteer remembers some threat Joe made against Obambi and calls in the Secret Service.

    Joe is going down!!!

    On October 16th, 2008 at 11:49 am, Ilovemycountry said:
    This thing is getting more bizarre by the moment – so let’s what we’ve got here:

    Some guy named Joe, who’s a plumber and makes over $250,000 a year?

    And he’s worried about his bank account?

    And you people actually believe this story? Okay, I’ll take your word for it.

    This must be very difficult for all of you – you’re watching this talented man from America’s heartland (Kansas) who wants to create a green industry in the heartland and is attempting to create 5 million new jobs based in the heartland – but there’s one catch – the man who’s proposing this has black skin (so you have to find reasons not to support his ideas and you come up with a plumber making $250,000 a year).

    Even though Obama says Joe “the 250K plumber” is exempt from my tax plan.

    What is it about people of color that you folks hate so much?

  12. #502757
    On October 16th, 2008 at 12:14 pm, happyscrapper said:

    I just got here and haven’t read everything, so may be repeating. I hope that everyone caught McCain’s comment about Obama being a good speaker, but we need to listed to the actual words. Like when Obama said he would “look into drilling in our own country”. The magic words are “look into”. McCain caught that and threw it back in his face. He didn’t have a reply to that. If McCain will now hammer home the drilling issue big time, emphasizing the job creation, economy boost it would bring…we have a winner. Not to mention we would stick it to the Arabs who hate us. Obama is a loser on that subject, as are all the dems. If Obomba is elected, we can kiss any drilling goodbye, also any nuclear plants. Between that issue and the tax issue, McCain can win.

  13. #502765
    On October 16th, 2008 at 12:18 pm, WarEagle82 said:

    Kudos to “Send_me” for #179!

    I have had it with the GOP lying to me and taking conservatives for granted. McCain never was a true conservative as far as I can tell. His first response is to compromise his beliefs to work with the other party no matter how awful their ideas are.

    I have told GOP officials and candidates for years that certain actions would result in the loss of my vote. They persisted and they lost my vote. And I reminded them of that fact regularly. Several of them are out of office today because conservatives stopped supporting their leftward tilts.

    The last 4 years of the GOP culminating in the nomination of John McCain was the “last straw” for me. I will be voting for the Constitution Party this year and it will be a l.o.n.g time before I vote for a Republican. They have abandoned everything I believe in and sold their souls. Enough is enough!

  14. #502770
    On October 16th, 2008 at 12:20 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On October 16th, 2008 at 12:03 pm, Donut44 said:

    Donut…we have a right to be angry and to express it here. We try to be civil and usually succeed. But we are venting and we have a right to do that. I don’t fault anyone who expresses their anger here. As long as we keep it within the bounds…not like kos or huffinton whose threads are full of wishes that people would die and disgusting comments about wanting conservatives to get cancer, etc. You don’t see that here..right? Calling Obama a socialist or a marxist is speaking truth, it is not trashing someone’s reputation with lies. Because we are better than that. But we do get angry!!

  15. #502791
    On October 16th, 2008 at 12:31 pm, Donut44 said:

    Happyscrapper I agree and the only “rights” anyone is trying to take here is to shut up other people from talking, which is the first line of defense for those that can not “argue” appropriately.

    I already expressed that passion is acceptable and expected, but much like your #183 post states (in response to Obama), people need to hear and read the words. I expect this type of intelligence from MM people at the least. If something is not clear, than ask a question.

    I have now called Obama (twice just here for the record) for what he is, which is a socialist. So why can other posters not pay attention? People want to come here to vent anger about the situation, it is understood, it is what I was doing. I don’t love Obama, but I am pissed at McCain and his inability to finish anything or to point at the obvious (even McCain can’t call Obama a socialist). The anger I dislike, is when people instead want to point it towards other people and lie about them. If you want to attack me for who I am and my principles, great! But when you can’t read . . .

    I am neither hurt nor offended, just amazed again again.

  16. #502802
    On October 16th, 2008 at 12:40 pm, mattmillercr said:

    Senator Barack Obama has a 100% rating from NARAL and Planned Parenthood, whereas his positions are 100% supporting abortion on demand with NO restrictions. In fact, he had told Planned Parenthood directly in a speech on July 17th, 2007:

    “The first thing I’d do as president is sign the Freedom Of Choice Act.”

    FOCA will strip any and all restrictions on abortion that have helped to reduce the number of abortions slowly but gradually over the decades.

    Senator Obama made a statement last night on the abortion topic that, and I paraphrase, he “supports limits on late term abortions / partial birth abortion”. He made himself look like he was trying to find common ground on the abortion topic and likely scored points with viewers of the debate.

    NOT! That is hypocrisy at its utmost when LIFE is at stake. He consistently is against ANY and ALL restrictions on abortion as consistent with his 100% rating form NARAL and Planned Parenthood and support for the Freedom of Choice Act.

    See my blog that tries to take a Christian / Catholic point of view on this election. It’s my “layperson’s journey” to the Catholic Church challenge its faithful in “Forming Conscience through Faithful Citizenship”.

    http://blog.iowacatholicvote.com

  17. #502828
    On October 16th, 2008 at 12:57 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On October 16th, 2008 at 12:40 pm, mattmillercr said:

    I really believe if a person professes true Christianity, and believes the Bible, they will be pro-life. I just can’t see it any other way. Am I calling Obama a hypocrite? You can draw your own conclusions.

  18. #502833
    On October 16th, 2008 at 1:00 pm, emjem24 said:

    I thought that McCain did much better than the last two snore fests. The problem for me is that he didn’t finish some of his thoughts, not that that’s possible in a 90 minute debate. I think he should have been aggressive much earlier.

    Even if Obummer wins, I know why. I don’t think it will be just because Pres. Bush will be blamed for the economic doldrums. It will be because many Americans, of all political stripes, are too selfish and deluded to put down the credit card and do things on their own. They think that if they give control to the government that their lives will be much “simpler.” Oh, they will be much simpler all right.

    I wonder if these people, these Obummer supporters, care what their precious messiah will do with the military. Will he let officers and enlisted close to retirement finish out their careers? How many Airmen, Marines, Army, Navy, and Coast Guardmen will keep their jobs to support their families? How many contractors and federal employees, who work with the military, will feel the bitter sting of Obummer’s economic policies?

    What I’ve learned in this election is that Americans don’t keep their promises to the military. It is preferable to do the easy rather than the difficult. It is easier to blame the military, the rich guys, the Republicans, when identifying the real villains is more complex, more complicated than many Americans either want to be aware of or care to think about. That’s the troubling thing.

    I’m sorry, I have nothing in common with Obummer or his supporters because I’ve actually sacrificed for this country. I’m tired of being lectured by these people that we need “change.” No, what we need is a reality check. Not a bash fest that doesn’t focus on the real culprits of the economic crisis, the Dems.

    When did America stop seeing sense? When did they stop believing in themselves and instead Big Daddy government caring for their every whim? Americans are too scared to think for themselves or actually stop living beyond their means because that would mean they’d actually have to face up to their responsibilities and be grown ups for a change.

    This may be America but I recognize her less and less.

  19. #502857
    On October 16th, 2008 at 1:10 pm, emjem24 said:

    Ilovemycountry said #173:

    How ignorant can you get? Do you think it’s right to defund the military and make military heroes into villains as your messiah has done?

    The real heroes of this country are people like my military husband and Joe the Plumber who have more strength and courage to stand up for what they believe rather than people like you who is a follower, not a doer.

    Obummer supporters make me sick. Dems don’t care about my husband or the military. It’s okay to demonize them. It’s okay to rob them of their retirement, as Clinton did when he made many military members, close to retirement, leave the military.

    My husband and I have given up more for this country. What have you given up, I*hate*my country? What has Obummer given up? What makes him such a good leader? Because he promises revenge against those bad Republicans and military members?

    When you walk a minute in any military member’s or spouse’s shoes, perhaps you’ll rethink your position. Probably not. You’d actually have to look past your brain cavity for once. :roll:

  20. #502954
    On October 16th, 2008 at 1:52 pm, emjem24 said:

    K2 said #171:

    That article, was indeed, very revealing and enlightening. I have another example about what happens when a blue state tries to overtax its way out of overspending and deficits. I’m originally from the Upstate region of New York and that area has been in an ecoomic death spiral for the last decade. We used to have big industry there such as Kodak and they have disappeared because of lack of innovation or “overseas competition.”

    Nobody ever does the really hard work of analyzing the situation. Nobody ever questions if the domestic taxing practices of big spending Dems (and Republicans) lead to economic downfall. New York is in the top 5 (or is it ten) states with higher taxes in the country. If there’s a tax that they can invent (out of Albany) they’ll create it.

    What’s insulting is that Dems like Clinton and Schumer make polite noises of sympathy about trying to help the upstate region but they’re always looking out for their big donor downstate allies. The high property and business taxes of New York have put a lot of family farms out of business. I watched it all unfold as I grew up in the ’80’s. Yes, some had bad business models but others fell pray to hostile taxes by the state and the state letting in big corporate farms (or their companies contributing to certain Dems’ campaigns).

    Another bad example that is endemic to New York is NCR. Once a powerhouse in manufacturing electronic equipment like cashier machines in the ’80’s, Cuomo let in big competition from Japan. New York taxed the crap out of NCR and made it easier to fall prey to foreign competition. Dems forgave Cuomo but many others will never forget what he did. Upstaters (the ones who know the truth) have no respect for the Cuomo family and their constant need to revive their dynastic ambitions by marrying into such families as the Kennedy’s.

    Americans want change but many of us are seeing the same party in control of lot of the same old, big spending, big taxing states. Dems excuse it because they don’t think that overtaxing both businesses and people is bad. A lot of upstaters resent that their tax money goes to Albany to support a lot of the social experiements such as, namely, the big NYC schools who don’t manage money very well.

    This is why I’ve left NY, never to return. NY is hostile to new ideas and apparently Americans are too busy appointing blame and not making the connections to care about what’s actually causing economic malaise.

    Just look to places like New York, Illinois, and Michigan and it’s not jobs going overseas (which is a misnomer anyway) it’s the unfair tax practices by both local and state governments. We live in VA and I would never get a house here because the taxes would eat us alive.

    Dems are bad news for taxes. Just because Obummer says he won’t tax “95%” of people (even though a 1/3 don’t even pay taxes) doesn’t mean he’ll keep that promise. Yet, like Clinton, he’ll be forgiven because of his charm and charisma. Many of us common sense, former blue state residents just know better. Taxes don’t work. They’re bad and they’ll get worse. They always do, especially in recessions. :sad:

  21. #503169
    On October 16th, 2008 at 3:27 pm, Ilovemycountry said:

    This thing has just gotten even more bizarre:

    Turns out Joe “The Plumber”:

    Doesn’t have a plumber’s license
    Owes back taxes
    Doesn’t make $250 per year
    Will not endorse John McCain
    Is not trying to buy his company

    Turns out this guy is a complete fraud. So now it makes sense; he’s as full of it as all of you people.

  22. #503174
    On October 16th, 2008 at 3:29 pm, right4life said:

    you people

    racist.

  23. #503626
    On October 16th, 2008 at 8:07 pm, tbear44 said:

    I don’t know what debate you were watching Donut, Obama was sweating quite a bit (even though they installed air conditioning over the candidates so they wouldn’t sweat). He looked nervous and uncomfortable and he was sweating bullets. Obama reminded me of someone who wasn’t being totally honest. Imagine that!

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