ABOUT FIRST READ

First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC Political Researcher



Introducing 'Tito the builder'

Posted: Monday, October 27, 2008 1:25 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: , ,

From NBC/NJ's Matthew E. Berger

LEESBURG, Va. -- For days, Palin has been speaking of “Tito the Builder” as another embodiment of a small business owner seeking lower taxes -- in short, another “Joe the Plumber.”

Today, Tito Munoz spoke for himself.

Munoz -- dressed in an orange reflector jacket and yellow construction hardhat filled with Republican campaign stickers -- welcomed Palin to Virginia with a message of free enterprise and hard work.

“Everything we stand for is in danger by higher taxes and less freedom,” Munoz told an enthusiastic crowd, which frequently chanted his name. “Everything we stand for is made stronger by people like you, like John McCain and Sarah Palin.”

For her part, Palin noted the name Tito has not been mentioned this often since the heyday of the Jackson Five. And she said the Colombian immigrant was unhappy with the way Joe Wurzelbacher had been treated after he questioned Obama at a Toledo, OH rally earlier this month.

“Tito wants to know, and I quote, he asked, he says, 'Why the heck are you going after Joe The Plumber,’” Palin said. “‘Joe The Plumber has an idea. He has a future. He wants to be something else. Why is that so wrong?"

Palin reiterated the message to small business owners she has said daily on the trail, suggesting Obama’s tax plans would hurt small businesses and make it harder for them to hire new employees.

“Tito loves this country, and Tito isn't the only McCain supporter who feels that way,” she said. “In fact, I know that we have a lot of small business owners here with us today, and they feel just like Tito does."

Palin also said a McCain Administration would lower business taxes, which are the second highest in the world (although many US corporations find loopholes around them).

The crowd here in Leesburg was creative, inaugurating several new slogans, including “I am Joe” and “Vote McCain, use your brain.” When Palin began speaking of her goals to help families with children with special needs, the audience chanted “Bless your heart.”

The stop in Leesburg is one of three rallies Palin will hold in Virginia today. The statewide tour comes as the latest Washington Post/ABC News poll finds Obama with an eight-point lead in this traditionally red state.

MAIN PAGE

Email this EMAIL THIS

Comments

"I can read the writing on the wall.  I know I will go down in defeat on November 4th." - John Mccain, 10/27/2008
so why are you going to give more in tax breaks to the rich than tito? seriously, this is such a alice in wonderland argument it's amazing. who falls for this garbage?
Yes, ladies and gentlemen I'am "proud" to introduce Palin the pinhead. Step right up for one thin dime one tenth of a dollar, she walks, she talks and she slitthers like a reptile.Also, free snake oil after each viewing.I approve of this message.
Exactly what less freedom?

Less freedom for personal choice, as Palin would like you to have?

Less right to privacy, as the Bush administration would have with its warrantless wiretaps?

Less right to healthcare, as McCain's plan would create?

Or less right to choose who you want to marry, as McCain/Palin would propose a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriages?

Tell me, Tito...what do you mean by less freedom?

Thrill me with your acumen on this issues. Please.
He he! I bet Tito owes back taxes too.
Introducing "Sarah the moron"
Geez wasn't Tito the commie ruler of Yugolsavia?  Well this Tito is ignorant and why are his clueless comments even being reported.  It's the Tito's like him that have screwed up this once great country.

I get so disgusted hearing the whiners on CNBC talking about the Big Right Lie of Free Market Capitalism being good when all it does is put more and more wealth in the hands of those who need it least.  These risk takers are the ones who have taken the risks that have screwed up our country!

I also am disgusted with the whiners who whine about MSNBC.com and tv being pro Obama.  If you don't like the coverage here then go back to the Fixed Noise channel where you buffoons belong!  Your clueless rants just prove your total ignorance!  Atleast here you can get your comments posted, unlike us liberals who would never get our comments posted on the propanganda arm of the RNC.

Go Obama/Biden 08/12!
I think Dora the Explorer wants to buy her own tv studio but it Obama's tax plan will deny her that opportunity.  Unfortunately it was found out that Dora only makes $42,000 a year and would benefit under Obama's plan.
C'mon repugs... Grow up and talk issues!
What an insult this pair is to Americans.  "Joe the Plumber," "Tito the Builder," . . . is this Sesame Street???

I am a parent of a son with special needs.  I wonder how Palin plans to help those children when her BOSS, McCain, has indicated he would implement a "spending freeze".
Look, if you make more than 250,000 dollars a year, you can afford to pay a few more taxes. No one is going to say, "If I earn more I'll get taxed more, so I'll just slack off a bit." Give me a break, you people are delusional!

PS It seems J Merle Stanley is still bitter about the HMS Hillary going down.
How long until Tito is uncovered to be a large contributor to the repub campaigns?

Seriously...it's already be proven they are lying.  It's just a sign of pathetic desperation now.

And for all you whiner's calling media bias.  Even Fox News is reporting postitives about Obama.  What do you suppose that tells you when an admitted right leaning 'news' organization starts reporting the left with positive spin?

McCain is failing and flailing...and no amount of positive spin is going to change that.  Not even you can say anything positive.  All I have ever heard is attacks on Obama or blaming everyone else for bias...when it's McCain that shoots himself in the foot time and time again.
"Palin noted the name Tito has not been mentioned this often since the heyday of the Jackson Five"
Gov. Palin is so out of touch with what is real in our America.

By the way-how is it that no one has picked up on the "drive by shooting" comments by the McCain campaign?
I feel it to be racial in nature.  Does anyone else see that or is it just me?
Bob


Don't believe the HYPE...

“Everything we stand for is in danger by higher taxes and less freedom”

-----------------------------------------------------
YEP!!!  That's EXACTLY why you should vote OBAMA!!!

Every independent source will tell you that John McCain is gonna charge Tito MORE taxes than Barack Obama would.

As for individual freedoms--Republicans have thrown that completely out the window.
Joe Biden is down to his last 8 days. And even though the media has given most of its attention to Madam Palin, Senator Biden has done a wonderful job of campaigning around the country.

He has gained a tremendous amount of respect everywhere and has only grown in popularity, while Madam Palin has gone in the opposite direction.

Senator Biden was an excellent choice. Obama/Biden is quite a ticket.

New Hampshire is now looking good for Obama/Biden. Real good.
If this party doesn't disgust you, I can't imagine what will. Here's a series of snapshots set to a tune that says it all. Take a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8gJ_rPHXtk
It is absolutely astonishing to me that so many presumably educated (oops--completing years of school is a poor indication of having been educated) people can be so uninformed and/or just downright ignorant. they certainly don't vote in their own best interest.  I bet they'd drink Jim Jones' kool-aide.
Full Moon -- where did you get that quote???
The election fix is in, check out NC's ballot trick, then voter machines changing votes.  Mccain and Palin will win a tight race.  PATHETIC.  I voted early in AZ already but KNOW that it is fixed, like usual.
I'm so sick of "Sarah the Ignorant."

And to the ignorant Tito: Hey moron! You get a bigger tax break under Obama!!!

Every election the Republican manage to convince a bunch of poor people that all their problems are to be blamed on those who are even poorer. There are two kinds of Republicans: Rich people and Suckers. Guess which one Tito is...
Palin the "special needs specialist" was too stupid and arrogant to know that research using the fruit fly was paramount to autism research.  She like her demented mentor Johnny Mac, is concerned with mocking and TRASHING any thing related to intellectual vigor or knowledge of broad issues and insight gained from reading or advanced education.    WHAT A JOKE.
THAT THIS MORON could be THIS CLOSE to the VICE PRESIDENCY is HORRIFYING.  

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE, VOTE EARLY IF YOU CAN.

THIS ELECTION IS TOO IMPORTANT.

SEND MCCAIN/PALIN BACK HOME where they belong.

OBAMA/BIDEN 2008
So, real Americans who hold blue collar jobs are subject to ridicule because they do not support 'the one', but the Democrats are not elitists?  Get real.

The truth of what you people want to do is akin to going to your neighbor's house and demanding they turn over to you every dollar they earn more than you do.  That makes you a theif, even if you get the IRS to do it for you.

It's okay, though, because I'm sure that most of you have 401k's, and the Democrats are going to force you to turn that money over to Social Security in fiscal '09.  I'm sure you'll be grateful for the 3% return you get on that, and for the 50% they will allow you to leave to a beneficiary if you die before you begin to collect it.

Just like I'm sure that we'll all be living on perfect pink clouds with rainbows and kittens if Obama gets elected.
Yesterday Silly Sarah said, "Once thie race is over I'm back to my favorite consignment store." Think about what she said.  She knows the race is over and she is returning to Alaska, not Washington DC. Both the GOP internal polls and the public polls say it is over.  

There isn't much excitement in Phoenix Arizona.  The GOP offices arn't very busy, but the Obama ground troops are knocking on doors.  If Gore lost Tennessee, it is possible for McCain to lose Arizona.
Funny how only liberals get their messages posted....We're watching you msnbc....no wonder you are in last place compared to fox and cnn...you discriminate against anyway disagreeing with your agenda for obama..you guys are pathetic..
McCain/Palin signs are starting to appear in record numbers in the last days of the campaign, confirming the belief of many that a "Giant vs Patriots" type of surprise is in the making. Apparently voters do have the final word, contrary to the views and thoughts expressed of late. You have to play the game I guess, and win, to go undefeated. Memphis was just too much for Kansas, well at least until the game was played in April. Kansas, oh yeah, 2008 National Champions. McCain/Palin 08 (can't wait) 2008, year of the upset.
Well Tito, If you get your wish:

1. Kiss your health insurance goodbye! You will have to get it on the free market. And you'll find out that that 5k tax break doesnt go so far. So you pay whatever your employers WOULD hava paid.

2. Kiss retirement goodbye. You pal McCain says that Social Security wont be around by the time you get to retirement age. Heaven forbid if taxes were raised 1% so you could actually not work until you croak on the job..

3. Your kids will probably go to some of the worst schools in your neighborhood. Oh, you're going to use that voucher for that good school in a diffent area? Welp sorry to tell you, that all the spots are taken, furthermore you wouldnt be able to afford it even with the voucher.

4. Watch as some of the CEOs of this land continue to get tax breaks for themselves and their companies while they ship your job overseas. Maybe you could move to India and work there?

Then Tito you will be FREE to just do whatever you want. No job.. no money.. no healthcare.. Gotta love that Freedom!!!!

Idiot.
Jeez, just when we think that this campaign can't get any hokier!! I predict we will meet Tutti the Teacher, Tommy the Truck Driver, and Billy Bob the Bartender before the week is out.!!!
Saraha,,,,,I know you don't read the paper,but if you had you would already know that your boy Joe was a plant,trying to act big, and talk big,talking about buying his own company.The dude makes 40,000$ a year,has no lic to be a plumber,owes back taxes,had his drivers lic revoked for not paying his fines.Now it's Tito saying old Joe was mistreated,He's lucky to not be in the crow bar hotel,thats jail for all you youngsters.Palin the fashion model seems to no alot about fixing contracts maybe she could fix some so all the Joes and Titos can become rich repuks,
“Everything we stand for is in danger by higher taxes and less freedom,”
*******************************************************

'Less freedom'?  What, is George W. Bush running for a third term?  Ha ha... oh wait...

http://thepajamapundit.com/
I am marty the glass lady, McCain and Palin wont give me the time of day, much less anything else. Where do they find these people who cant add and subtract and figure out how much they make a year.
freedoms indeed,

Obama/Biden
marty
John McCain made a celebrity of Joe the Plumber, bringing the media attention that identified him as someone who, in truth, spoke only in hypotheticals to Obama, and would be better served by Obama's tax plan. So now we have Tito the Builder. I live in No. Virginia, am aware of Tito, and it seems that most of his workers understand no English. Perhaps they're ALL legal, but it makes one wonder whether he could stand an INS scrutiny as he becomes the new centerpiece of the McCain/Palin campaign. At least he's asked for it whereas Joe didn't. By the way, on the job, Tito is Management and doesn't dress like he did at the rally. If Tito honestly has taxable income exceeding $250,000 annually, the threshold for a higher tax under Obama's plan, I think a successful immigrant should show gratitude to his adopted country and not bellyache so loudly at the prospect of a small incremental tax on the amount exceeding $250,000.  
And after next Tuesday, Palin can proclaim herself

"Sarah the Wannabe"
"Sarah the What-If"
"Sarah the Loser"
Norah O'Donnell was just on MSNBC trying to get an answer from the RNC Chairman MIke Duncan about how he claims Oboma is redistributing the wealth. She told them middleclass people pay payroll taxes, But the RNC chairman refused to answer.  She asked him 4 times, but he just kept talking over her and repeating his senseless mantra. 'pitiful, pathetic'  she just smiled and said ok.  "I would have told him you can't answer the question because you are a liar.
C'mon Palin you've got kids.  You should know this.  It's "Bob the Builder."  

Seriously?  This is all they've got?
I will be glad when Sarah, the Governor.. goes back to Alaska. She wouldn't be so bad, if she would tell the truth.  I don't known if the things she says are written by her or for her.  Any rate, for her own intergrity and credability, She should, "approve the message."  If she had integrity before her nominaton as VP, she has lost it from me with the lies she has been telling.  Mkes me wonder if she is really a Chrisitian, or uses interpretatona of passages in  the Bible in ways to further her agenda.  Don't kill unborn babies, but it is OK to kill your enemy; don't lie or bear false witness, unless he is your opponent; don't steal, when somebody gives you something that is stolen from the people, say you was borowing it, and you were planning on giving it to charity, so it is not your fault.
Thanks Baileigh for making my points. It is people like Joe, Jane and Tito that is killing this country with their moronic ideas and voting power.

How does any Joe, Jane or Tito would believe that they are doing so well under a republican leadership is beyond even the devil's own logic. can these Joe, Jane, or Tito read? i think ability to read and comprehend should be requirement to voting!! Get rid of these idiots and mindless republican buffoons.
no joe, no bo, nj

Once again you prove you have no real grasp of the situation.  I once thought maybe you were just some idealistic college freshman who to their first econ and comparative government class...but it turns out you are just a shlub that regurgitates all the emails floating around.  

And for Mr Tito the Builder?  I'm guess he was chosen for his name, not his profession.  Pandering at its finest.
Sara, the ex beauty queen, needs to not lecture anyone on being honest and a celebraty.  She bought all those clothes, because she thought she was going to be wearing them on January 20th, during she and John McCain inaggaural address. Why, would she leave them for a month in the belly on the plane?  Is she an impulsive buyer?  Buying clothes she doen't intend to wear.  What a waste of money, when she is telling her supportors, "I feel you pain," If she felt their pain so much, she would have denied the money, and said, "Thanks, but no thanks to the temporary clothes to no wear." What a deception.
Wow, I wonder if Tito the Builder knows John McCain and Sarah Palin are exploiting his heritage to pander to the Hispanic vote?  I'm sure by now, they've realized they don't have a chance in hell with that demographic.  So, today - VOILA - we have Tito the Builder!!!  And this, after we haven't seen a single minority face as part of McCain's campaign.

They are shameless.  It's official.
Wow, I wonder if Tito the Builder knows John McCain and Sarah Palin are exploiting his heritage to pander to the Hispanic vote?  I'm sure by now, they've realized they don't have a chance in hell with that demographic.  So, today - VOILA - we have Tito the Builder!!!  And this, after we haven't seen a single minority face as part of McCain's campaign.

They are shameless.  It's official.
And Tito, be weary bcoz Mcain does not have an iota of Presidential experience unless voting with Bush 90% of the time is EXPERIENCE in hid mind.  He was a soldier in a previous life and a prisoner of war, not a President for crying out loud!
OK, so Obama has Colin Powell, Scott McLellan and a whole bunch of other noteworthy people backing him - McCain & Palin have Republican governors ducking them but instead they've got Joe the tax-lien Plumber and Tito the Builder - both of whom would actually do much better if Obama were elected than if McCain/Palin were elected.

Keep it up, Sarah, and so long as people in this country keep their eyes and ears open to the degree that they seem to so far this year, you'll be done 20 points by Election Day.
Because of the mess President Bush has left us. Everybody taxes will have to be raised, and some programes cut.  Thanks Mr. Bush, for nothing.  You have proven you are  spiteful and little,and want to make sure Obama is not sucessful. Just like when the Republicans lost seats in 2006, and tried to set it up so the Democratic house would look bad. Well, it made them look, when the Republicans fillabuster many bills, so nothing could get done.  The only way Obama would be able to get anythng done, is to have a good house cleaning and throw all of those obstructive Republicans out.  And put only those who are willling to work for the people in. Contrary to what you believe..we,American are not stupid, Enough of your mess, it about time we had some mature adults in the Senate and House, land get rid of some of the senile ones, who have reverted to their childhood, and live in the past.
“Tito wants to know, and I quote, he asked, he says, 'Why the heck are you going after Joe The Plumber,’” Palin said. “‘Joe The Plumber has an idea. He has a future. He wants to be something else. Why is that so wrong?"

Maybe because his name isn't'Joe'and he's not a plummer and he owed all kind of back taxes! A McCain plant like the girl who was beat up by a Obama supporter!! When are you Neocons going to realize that Lies and Scare Tactics don't work anymore!!
Sounds like y'got your hands on some dynamite stuff there, Tito.  Can you score me a bag?  (While you're calling your connection, why don't you jump on the ol' internet, and plug your income/dependent data into the Obama tax calculator?  You might find you can afford to score yourself another bag or two, also.)  
Look folks , is this really a puzzle?? It is time for this country to swing to the left,,, it is a cycle. The repubs in control, big biz does well. The dems in control the people do well.
Four reasons to NOT vote Republican:
1.  Sarah Palin
2.  The U.S. Supreme Court
3.  The economy
4.  More wars
This blog site sucks!!. Post all comments and let the discourse flow. I have written many comments none posted!
Funny how only liberals get their messages posted....We're watching you msnbc....no wonder you are in last place compared to fox and cnn...you discriminate against anyway disagreeing with your agenda for obama..you guys are pathetic..
brian, joliet, illinois (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 1
SPOKEN LIKE A TRUE FOX NEWS WATCHER (THE FAIR AND BALANCED NEWS STATION) IF YOUR A RIGHT WING CONSERVATIVE
Cindi in Louisiana (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 1:53 PM)


Jeez, just when we think that this campaign can't get any hokier!! I predict we will meet Tutti the Teacher, Tommy the Truck Driver, and Billy Bob the Bartender before the week is out.!!!

_______________________________________________________LOl Thanks I needed a laugh and you are absolutely right.  


SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=1597817

First Read e-mail alerts


Sign up for First Read alerts
The first place for key political news and analysis

More First Read

Recent Posts:


Archives:


Topics:

Syndicate This Site

Add First Read to your news reader:
live.com xml
myyahoo msn
bloglines newsgator
google