Could be the start of a national trend:
Joe the Plumber, of Knoxville, that is, says he’s less concerned about whether he gets a tax break if his customers still can’t afford to hire him.
Still, Joe Shanks, a licensed master plumber and owner of Joe’s Plumbing Service in the Cedar Bluff area, has followed the presidential campaigns the same as his much-quoted counterpart in Toledo, Ohio, who questioned Democratic Sen. Barack Obama over his proposed tax hike for those who make more than $250,000 a year.
Shanks said his business, which he jointly runs with his wife, Catherine, doesn’t earn the couple nearly that much income.
Especially lately, with business at about half what he usually handles, thanks to a flailing national economy that has left would-be customers skittish about hiring him.
“I can’t make money right now,” explained Shanks, who’s been in business for 25 years. “I’ve had to lower my prices just to get the job. I’m going for that cheap dollar – I have to.”
Shanks, an independent voter, said he’s supporting Republican Sen. John McCain, citing the official’s career experience in office as the deciding factor for him.
“I’d just feel more comfortable, confident and safe with McCain,” the plumber said. “McCain’s been there. Obama’s just not that experienced.”
Shanks likened the decision to a homeowner in need of a plumber – would you hire the guy who just got his trade license, he asked, or a seasoned professional?
I do wonder how many kitchen table conversations are going on around America – with Obama putting his socialist foot in his radical mouth and letting the Marxism out of the bag…and now people get to draw the stark contrast between McCain and Obama which the Obama-defending MSM have thus far prevented? I’m not of the opinion that Joe the Plumber is a game changer, but it certainly has got the conversation off of what Obama wanted it on – nebulous statements about “hope” and “change” coupled with a massive, negative ad campaign to slander McCain’s good name. We’re now actually talking about which person would be best – yesterday, in a “water cooler” debate with two friends who are Obama supporters we were actually talking up the contrasting health care plans as the Obamaniacs were finally forced to defend policy rather than just attack Bush and marvel over Obama’s rhetorical skills. Not saying they’ll change their votes, but if Obamaniacs are finally being forced to think about their guy, then there must be millions of undecided voters who are now making their final decision on the man.
Blogs For Victory 