Joe the Plumber Gives McCain No Lift in Ohio

Susan Davis reports on the presidential race. So how has using Joe the Plumber as a battle-cry against Barack Obama helped John McCain ’s campaign? Not much, judging by the latest Suffolk University poll released today. Obama leads by nine points, 51%-42% in Joe’s home state of Ohio. And it’s not because voters there aren’t aware of Joe Wurzelbacher or his recent ricochet in to the national spotlight—68% of Ohioans polled recognized “Joe the Plumber” but just 6% said that Joe made them more like to vote for McCain, while 4% said they were more likely to vote for Obama. McCain is faring better in the battleground state of Missouri, according to the Suffolk poll. The Arizona senator has a razor-thin 45%-44% lead over Obama, where Missouri voters are even more aware of Joe the Plumber—80% of those polled had heard of Joe; 8% said it made them more likely to back McCain, while 3% said they were more likely to back Obama. The McCain campaign, however, should be more troubled by ... (link)