Political Squawk: Say It Ain't So, Joe!

It's Friday! Time to Political Squawk.

A couple of days post-debate, seems Joe the Plumber isn't quite the picture of oppressed tax payer that John McCain attempted to paint.

The AP reported Joe's story had "sprung a few leaks". Interpreted: Joe found his background checked by the media as thoroughly as if the FBI had conducted the investigation themselves.

Joe doesn't have a plumber's license, which apparently is okay in Ohio for some long convoluted reason. Honestly, I don't really care if the man's a contractor, a builder, a baker, or a candlestick maker.

What I find interesting is the intensity of the media microscope lowered upon a private citizen because John McCain decided to name drop the guy in the third and final debate.

In his attempt to depict a "typical, hard-working American taxpayer", thanks to the Republican candidate, we all now know a lot more about Joe than Joe probably wanted us to know.

But here's a factoid uncovered by a member of the press that the plumber by any other name might wish to contemplate during his fifteen minutes pressed upon the political slide.

According to Rolling Stone's Tim Dickinson--

"...Joe the Plumber made $40,000 in 2006, according to divorce records dredged up by the Toledo Blade.

Let’s say he’s had a good couple years since then and is now making $50 grand.

Under Obama’s tax plan, Joe the Plumber — a single father of one — would get a $614 break on his taxes.

That’s $213 more than he’d get from John McCain.

Can we stop talking about this now?"

Yes. We. Can.