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By Nate Feken

While Barack Obama was campaigning in Toledo, Joe Wurzelbacher, a local plumber, got the chance to question Obama on national television.  Joe was interested in buying the plumbing company where he currently is employed, but was worried about Obama’s tax plan.  Wurzelbacher said he was concerned that his company would wind up in a higher tax bracket. This might make it difficult for him to purchase his company because he would have issues paying everything off.  He said he felt Obama’s plan would ruin the “American dream” for himself and others looking to better their lives.

Without knowing it, Joe the plumber was about to become a huge part of the presidential campaign. After seeing the video of Wurzelbacher questioning Obama,  John McCain used his concerns as a weapon against Obama in the final presidential debate.  McCain said Obama’s plan would keep entrepreneurs from investing in new small businesses and hold back the growth of older small businesses.  McCain assured Wurzelbecher and others like him that he would help them live the "American dream" by not raising taxes and by providing affordable health care.

With the technology we have today, I think it is amazing that people or issues like Joe Wurzelbacher can take center stage in a presidential race.  With the amount of coverage this race is getting, candidates and voters have access to more information than ever before.  I think it’s great that technology allows for more Americans' voices to be heard.  This accomodates more voters' opinions and concerns than in previous elections.  Today’s increased media coverage allows both the voters and the candidates to have a greater understanding of what each side wants and makes it easier to support each other.