So when do you think Obama knew Joe the Plumber wasn't for real?

[BR_Parkway]

I mean, this little community organizer with just a few years of politicing under his belt has taken on and triumphed over some of the biggest, baddest political machines. How often we've seen him let his opponent go on and on, then pull out some ace that he recognized months ago he was going to need and set it in reserve - I'm thinking that beautiful Keating 5 documentary sitting on the shelf waiting as a prime example.

But if you go back and watch the videos of the debate, BO keeps a fairly good poker face going every time McCain starts in about Joe the Plumber.

Now, I don't know if he knew when he met the guy how the story would unravel - but I'd be willing to bet all my lunch money, BO and crew had all the low down that we've been able to dig up on Joe before he ever strolled across that stage to sit down and let McCain travel down that road.

That's why I love this guy - he looks ahead and plans for different contingencies. That's what leaders do.

[high density]

1. His comment at a rally yesterday...

about "Who knows a plumber that makes $250k a year?" seems to indicate he was probably well aware of what a crock of shit it was during the debate. I think Obama gave him the benefit of the doubt at the initial encounter with Joe. I could easily imagine a business containing a few of plumbers grossing $280k a year, but we now know everything Joe brought up was hypothetical or imagined.

[Homer Wells]

2. Poor Ol' Joe!!

He is probably even now ruing the day he let himself get involved with the Republican campaign.

:evilgrin:

[tomg]

3. His line in the debate said it:

"Joe, if you're out there listening." The smile on his face said "Really, John, you should know better, but I'll play along."

[Heather MC]

4. Obama Knew,

He had the Neighborhood checkout throughly before he went into it. I am sure he new the Medium income, the break down white, black, other.

And let's face it, Joe the Plumber ain't that hard to read. I mean, Obama has spoken to thousands millions of people, I bet he can see guys like him coming a mile away. Sorry I knew he was full of crap when I heard him say, I am not a flashy person just because I make that kind of money doesn't mean I am going to have a lot of stuff. Well, I call bull shit on that one. if you make 250,000
that's over 20,000 a month you are going to be buying some shit. a bigger house, a bigger car
even if all you get is a house and car, you would not live in the Neighborhood Obama went to Visit.

I am not knocking he Neighborhood, I am just saying it's not the Hood of someone making 250,000 a year and living in Ohio. The housing marker didn't go hog wild in Ohio like it did in my Area No VA

250,000 in Ohio, you could get a McMansion for 400,000.
In some areas.

I applaud Obama for not dissing and dismissing this fraud

[vaberella]

5. My choice isn't there: He knew when the guy said he was buying a plumbing company

producing where his company or him would be producing 280,000 dollars. If this guy had such a company, the individual would be making UNDER 280,000 since they would have workers, suppliers fees, and rent bills for their offices and such things. They would be well under 280,000 if that's their gross. Then even after taxes which would be 3% increase, it would basically nil from what he was charged before. But that's unlikely because characteristically plumbing and companies for plumbing don't make that much unless their contracted too by the State.