Shouldn't investigation of Joe the Plumber backfire on Obama?

[DougMD]

There are two articles on Drudge about how STATE computer checks on Joe went farther than first thought, and they looked at his tax information, etc. Doesn't this sound like attacking the messenger in a way that will turn the American public off bigtime? If I was undecided, I would look at this communist infringement on this man's private life as an affront to freedom and swing McCain.

[boysda]

ORIGINAL: DougMD

If I was undecided, I would look at this communist infringement on this man's private life as an affront to freedom and swing McCain.

perhaps. perhaps you might also consider that this so-called private man has engaged a publicist to promote a country/western career, and an attorney to promotea book deal. we should all be so lucky in our "private lives".

[Alsatian]

ORIGINAL: boysda

perhaps. perhaps you might also consider that this so-called private man has engaged a publicist to promote a country/western career, and an attorney to promotea book deal. we should all be so lucky in our "private lives".

DougMD: Didn't you know the right to privacy only applies to a woman's right to abort a baby at 8 1/2 months, not to a Republican partisan? Didn't you know that civil rights are only a concern to the news media if itrelates to the civil rights of a non-US citizen who isan imprisoned enemy? Didn't you know that the ACLU could care less about the issues of civil rights -- such as the second amendment -- unless it leans towards their doxology? Didn't you know that inappropriate use of state powers by public servants is only worthy of observance if it relates to a Republican? Have a cup of coffee and wake up, man!!!

[boysda]

ORIGINAL: Alsatian

DougMD: Didn't you know the right to privacy only applies to a woman's right to abort a baby at 8 1/2 months, not to a Republican partisan? Didn't you know that civil rights are only a concern to the news media if itrelates to the civil rights of a non-US citizen who isan imprisoned enemy? Didn't you know that the ACLU could care less about the issues of civil rights -- such as the second amendment -- unless it leans towards their doxology? Didn't you know that inappropriate use of state powers by public servants is only worthy of observance if it relates to a Republican? Have a cup of coffee and wake up, man!!!

wow. didn't know i said all that. i know i didn't adress anything as weighty as inappropriate use of state powers. if i had, i would have stated that any illegality should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. kinda thought that was a given.

actually thought i said something on the order ofa private citizen who hires a publicist probably can't complain too much about their loss of "privacy". i know i didn't go so far as to talk about this so-called private man becoming a shill for the mccain campaign, and thrusting himself into the public spotlight by appearing as a "surprise" guest at numerous mccain campaign rallies.similarly, i didn't mention the fact that this citizen has publicly contemplated a run for congress.and I CERTAINLY didn't address the statements made by the demure and retiringprivate citizen in media interview, statements so inflammatory that a fox news anchor disassociated himself from them, that a vote for Obama was a vote for the death of israel.

although all of this could cause one to wonder how "private" this man really is.

[LBR]

It should make a difference, but will it? I dunno. The double standard has been so obvious that it seems to me if it was going to sway someone, it would have already. Gov. Palin gets raked over the coals and the media mocks her. Biden gets asked a tough question, he makes fun of the newscaster and the BHO campaign blackballs the station. The DNC spent approximately the same amount of money to builda stage for one night's use as the RNC spent on Gob. Palin's clothes (one of these will be autioned off for charity--guess which one?). The BHO campaign has raised approximatley 1/2 of their record breaking pollitical contributions from "donars" sending in less than $200 that don't have to be reported. It's been shown that BHO has lied time and again concerning his associations with Wright, Ayers, etc. He talks about the uninsured, but fails to mention he's including illegals in that number. The list goes on.

People are either blind or stupid.....or both.

Chad

[vc1111]

If I wanted to retain an iota of privacy for the rest of my life, I wouldn't talk to either candidate in the presence of anyone else.

[boysda]

ORIGINAL: vc1111

If I wanted to retain an iota of privacy for the rest of my life, I wouldn't talk to either candidate in the presence of anyone else.

that will undoubtedly disappoint your publicist

[Alsatian]

ORIGINAL: boysda


wow. didn't know i said all that. i know i didn't adress anything as weighty as inappropriate use of state powers. if i had, i would have stated that any illegality should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. kinda thought that was a given.

actually thought i said something on the order ofa private citizen who hires a publicist probably can't complain too much about their loss of "privacy". i know i didn't go so far as to talk about this so-called private man becoming a shill for the mccain campaign, and thrusting himself into the public spotlight by appearing as a "surprise" guest at numerous mccain campaign rallies.similarly, i didn't mention the fact that this citizen has publicly contemplated a run for congress.and I CERTAINLY didn't address the statements made by the demure and retiringprivate citizen in media interview, statements so inflammatory that a fox news anchor disassociated himself from them, that a vote for Obama was a vote for the death of israel.

although all of this could cause one to wonder how "private" this man really is.

(1) Does it make a difference WHEN the invasion of privacy took place? For example, if the investigation took place before the man hired a publicist or made inflamatory comments about "a vote for Obama is a vote for the death of Israel?" Can we extend this principle generally, to subjects who are Democratic partisans? I bring this up only because you have introduced -- it would seem -- the active role Joe The Plumber has taken in becoming a public figure as exculpatory information with reference to the investigation of his private information.

(2) Once an individual has chosen a public path -- and I assume a politician qualifies -- does that mean state databases can be searched for damning information on that individual?

I welcome and choose to focus on your statement to the effect that if crimes have been committed they ought to be prosecuted to the full effect of the law. But in the mean time, some of us will continue to speculate and chafe at what appears to be underhanded actions on the part of Democratic partisans, if for no other reason than we do not have confidence that the media or the Democratic machine is likely to allow such details to proceed to the point of enabling the settling of this topic in a court of justice. Certainly the handling of the ACORN voting registration anamolies in Ohio has notearned my confidence in the Ohio state system.

I understand if this just doesn't strike a nerve with you and you don't get excited about it. Personally, it doesn't get me too bent out of shape either. But I do think it smells wrong, and I welcome others who may be more offended trying to dig into it. I just fear that with Ohio state officials having taken a Stonewalling attitude with respect to the ACORN voter registration fraud -- sorry to be so obscenely frank and plain spoken -- that chances of tracking down misuse of state database tools isn't going to fly.

[Steve863]

It can't possibly backfire on Obama. Didn't you guys hear that Obama promised Joe the position of "head plumber" for the white house and all federal buildings in Washington once he gets into office? He will be paying him $249,000 a year so that he can avoid the tax increases on the wealthy. Joe is ecstatic over this since he probably wouldn't have ever made diddly on his own. Now that he is a country singer he plans to entertain visiting heads of state at the formal dinners. Of course he will perfom for the first 10 minutes only. The rest of the evenings entertainment will be R&B, soul and rappers.

[boysda]

ORIGINAL: Alsatian

(1) Does it make a difference WHEN the invasion of privacy took place? For example, if the investigation took place before the man hired a publicist or made inflamatory comments about "a vote for Obama is a vote for the death of Israel?" Can we extend this principle generally, to subjects who are Democratic partisans? I bring this up only because you have introduced -- it would seem -- the active role Joe The Plumber has taken in becoming a public figure as exculpatory information with reference to the investigation of his private information.

(2) Once an individual has chosen a public path -- and I assume a politician qualifies -- does that mean state databases can be searched for damning information on that individual?

I welcome and choose to focus on your statement to the effect that if crimes have been committed they ought to be prosecuted to the full effect of the law. But in the mean time, some of us will continue to speculate and chafe at what appears to be underhanded actions on the part of Democratic partisans, if for no other reason than we do not have confidence that the media or the Democratic machine is likely to allow such details to proceed to the point of enabling the settling of this topic in a court of justice. Certainly the handling of the ACORN voting registration anamolies in Ohio has notearned my confidence in the Ohio state system.

I understand if this just doesn't strike a nerve with you and you don't get excited about it. Personally, it doesn't get me too bent out of shape either. But I do think it smells wrong, and I welcome others who may be more offended trying to dig into it. I just fear that with Ohio state officials having taken a Stonewalling attitude with respect to the ACORN voter registration fraud -- sorry to be so obscenely frank and plain spoken -- that chances of tracking down misuse of state database tools isn't going to fly.

allow me to clarify, then. if the state database was accessed improperly and unlawfully, those involved should be dealt with via the appropriate legal channels. based upon the columbus dispatch article, there is certainly enough to cause one to question why this ocurred, altough to date no evidence of criminal wrong-doing has surfaced. the idea of some trollish bureaucrat invading someone's privacy for any improper reason most assuredly does strike a nerve with me. thought i kinda made that clear in my second post where i said my original statement wasn't addressing abuse of state power. woulda thought that my "prosecute to the fullest extent of the law" statement cleared that right up, and mooted your first and second questions above.. no matter. repetition is good for the soul.

my comments about poor joe the plumber's privacy were aimed in fact, at the general outcry i've heard with respect to the media's savaging of this poor, private citizen. in fact, it would appear that he is clearly enjoying his 15 minutes of fame.

and your misgivings re ohio are probably well-founded. that state has a long and hallowed history of bipartisan political chicanery.