Joe the Plumber Calls Obama's Tax Plan Socialist, Sawyer Defends It

Joe the Plumber, aka Joe Wurzelbacher the Ohio man that has suddenly become the face of the presidential campaign, told ABC's Diane Sawyer Thursday that Barack Obama's tax plan to spread the wealth is "a very socialist view, and it's incredibly wrong."

Predictably, Sawyer defended Obama's position by saying it's only a three percent tax increase that people making over $250,000 would be required to pay.

Deliciously, the "Good Morning America" guest wasn't backing down (partial video embedded right):

DIANE SAWYER, HOST: If people making $250,000 should not be taxed additionally -- it's, by the way, three percent, from 36 percent to 39 percent under Sen. Obama's plan -- if those people should not be taxed additionally, even though they're in the top five percent of America, what about people who make a million dollars or five million dollars?

JOE WURZELBACHER, PLUMBER: Well, I mean, quite honestly, why should they be penalized for being successful? That's what you're telling me, that's what it sounds like you're saying. It's wrong. I mean, because you're successful, you have to pay more than everybody else. I mean, we all live in this country, you know, I mean it's a basic right. And Obama wants to take that basic right and penalize me for it is what it comes down to. I mean, that's a very socialist view, and it's incredibly wrong. I mean, if it's $250,000 now, what if he decides, "Well, $150,000 you're pretty rich, too. Let's go ahead and lower it again." You know, it's a slippery slope. When's it going to stop?

Great question, Joe?

For those interested, the entire GMA segment is available here. Also, this is the complete discussion between Wurzelbacher and Obama that started all this:

And, this is an interview Neil Cavuto did with Joe on Tuesday wherein the now-famous plumber said he was even less comfortable with Obama's plan after speaking with him:

Somehow I get the feeling we're going to be hearing much more from Joe...how 'bout you?

Post facto exit question: is Joe the Plumber this election's October surprise? Could he single-handedly change this entire campaign?

Think about it: regular guy wanting to advance himself without the shackles of a socialist tax plan.

Could this be a game-changer?