Better known as "Joe the Plumber," Mr. Wurzelbacher, for what he's worth to the campaign, is viewed favorably by 44 percent of Americans polled and unfavorably by 41 percent.
"He earns his best reviews from middle-income voters and entrepreneurs," notes the Rasmussen Reports Presidential Tracking Poll released Monday.
The plumber aside, Mr. Obama at last count is attracting 50 percent of the vote, while Mr. McCain earned 46 percent, which suggests "the race may be tightening a bit."
"Prior to the past week, Obama had enjoyed a five to eight point advantage for several weeks," Rasmussen explains.
WISH LIST
Improving whistle-blower protections, halting the revolving door between the government and the private sector, increasing government transparency, and implementing multiple measures to improve and strengthen contract oversight are among the list of government-reform priorities that the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) sent Monday to the presidential transition teams of Democrat Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain.
'WITHER' GREEN
Prefer one presidential candidate over the other because of his environmental wish list?
Before casting any green votes, consider the Times of London headline of Monday, given the current worldwide financial crisis, blighted economies and ballooning deficits: "Environment will wither whoever wins U.S. election."