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With only days remaining until American’s go to the polls in what are expected to be record breaking numbers, both candidates are stepping up their game. Barack Obama has certainly used his campaign funds effectively, making his cause known, and his resolutions within reach. Carrying a significant lead into the final week of campaigning, Barack Obama has seen recent success in key battleground states. Colorado and Nevada are now both expected to award their electoral votes to Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama. Florida is also leaning Obama. So what has Obama’s opponent been up to?

Senator John McCain has been losing ground and stumbling. The demise of his campaign likely leads back to his selection of Governor Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential pick. But in a rally this morning in the key battleground state of Ohio, McCain faltered. During his speech, McCain relayed to his audience that they were joined by the now infamous Joe the Plumber. And he took a moment to seek Joe out in the crowd – only to find Joe was not in attendance. The McCain aids were unable to get word to McCain in time that Joe would not be attending, and as a result, McCain suffered an embarrassing slip up.

Perhaps McCain’s only “celebrity” act, Joe the Plumber represents an opposition to Barack Obama’s tax policies, and has given media attention to Senator John McCain. And he didn’t even show, what’s that tell you? Embarrassing, especially after all the time McCain has spent building up Joe the Plumber as a symbol of his appeal with middle class voters. You decide, but it seems like McCain’s hopes to be the President of the United States of America will be dashed once again.

Average old Joe. A plumber, a business man, and a recent media phenomenon. Joe Wurzelbacher, better known to the American media as “Joe the Plumber” was, like many Americans, attempting to become politically involved and informed. With an election ballot creeping up on us faster than ever that will determine which direction this country is heading, it is important to stay politically affluent. Attending a site where Barack Obama spoke, “Joe the Plumber” was lucky enough to get some face to face talk time with the Senator, drilling him on questions regarding his plans of action for tax reformation.

The subsequent conversation between the two turned out to carry more weight than just potential tax reformations and restructuring. For several minutes, Senator Obama eloquently and professionally countered Wurzelbacher’s concerns. A businessman who is looking ahead and is seeing his company grow, Joe was concerned that under Obama’s new tax plan, which offers tax relief to workers and their families making under a quarter of a million dollars (thats $250,000) annually, and raises taxes for businesses making more than that amount annually by a few percentage points (from 36% to 39%), he would be taxed more, and wanted the Senators opinion on the matter.

Without hesitation, Obama thanked Wurzelbacher for his concern, but reiterated the larger idea. In a struggling economy, the work force consists in large part of middle class citizens, working nine to five jobs, retail, etc. Under current tax regulations, it is these citizens that are taxed more, these businesses that are taxed higher. Large corporations who have been fortunate enough to see success have seen drastic tax cuts under the conservative Bush administration. But, as Obama explained, 95% of small businesses are categorized under this $250,000 annual cap. And it’s these businesses being hurt the most in a troubling economy. So why not offer up tax cuts to these businesses, which in turn will pump more money into those in need. This 95% will be better off financially because of it, as will our economy, when the money enters into play again.

So, who is this average Joe, and why has he generated such publicity? The American media flocked to his story and bloggers and reporters alike checked him out. Concerned about his plumbing business, Joe is not even a licensed plumber in the state of Ohio where he works and resides. Furthermore, he actually owes back taxes. All of this is besides the fact, however. The real issue resides not with one unlicensed plumber who now has reporters outside his home at all hours, day and night, but with people like him. The average Joe, the average middle class American citizen and small business stand to gain the most from Senator Obama and lose the most from Senator McCain.

Senator Obama’s response to Wurzelbacher’s concerns below:

Photo credit: Boston.com