merge - Hmm...I think I'll respectfully disagree with you. I think the "Joe the Plumber gimmick" is paying off big-time. We'll see in a few days when the new poll numbers start to come in.
Here's why I think that...two reasons.
First, he showed emotion. One of the big things us conservatives haven't liked about McCain is that he's so bland. We don't want bland right now. We're angry and frustrated, and we want to see some action, some signs of life! McCain finally showed that in the debate - he showed he had at least a little bit of passion about these things that are so important.
Second, like Sarah Palin, this "Joe the Plumber" guy is someone that many, many people can relate to. He's just a normal kinda guy, doing his thing and trying to improve his life. He's a blue collar worker that knows what he wants and knows how to get it, and he's making the American dream come true for himself. Isn't that what we all want?
Perhaps most importantly, "Joe the Plumber" put Obama's tax policies into proper context in a simple, almost magical way that normal people completely understand. He summed up the downside to Obama's tax plan far better than McCain could ever do!
One last thing - Americans love the underdog, whether in sports, politics, or anything else. "Joe the Plumber" is a big-time underdog against Barack Obama: less education, less refinement, less money, less fame, less everything. And yet, he's not the least bit intimidated. People like that.
Thanks for your comments!
“McCain was completely incapable of sustaining any momentum, and clumsily returned again and again to his "Joe the Plumber" gimmick. It was clear that John had "jumped the shark" when he began talking directly to the unseen "Joe", and congratulating him for being "rich". I think he realized too that he had blown his "last best chance". His eyes started flittering back and forth like he was lost and scared, and he began to make the faces that have been the source of so much speculation regarding his temperament and stability.”
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