Obama is Disconnected, Cain Almost Ties Romney, and More in Chad’s Steaming Pile

Here are just a few things in Chad’s Pile that you will hear on Lubbock’s First News this morning. Give Chad your feedback on the steaming topics.

1. Joe the Plumber is back (link)

Remember "Joe the Plumber"? He was the regular guy who challenged Obama's ideas? Well he is back.

The statement of candidacy isn't online yet, but it lists Wurzelbacher in Ohio's Ninth District, which has been held by Democrat Marcia Kaptur since 1983. Wurzelbacher floated the idea he might challenge Kaptur in 2010, and there have been rumors recently that he might consider a run.

Wurzelbacher catapulted into the national spotlight in October 2008, when he confronted Barack Obama about the effect of his proposed tax plan on Wurzelbacher's small business. The encounter, during a campaign stop in Ohio, came a few days before the final presidential debate, and the plumber's everyman cause was then picked up by Senator John McCain, and became a big part of the Republican message.

Good for him for jumping in and wanting to do something. I'm not sure he has a chance, but stranger things have happened.

2. The Cain Train is rolling (link)

The latest Gallup poll shows that Herman Cain is nearly tied with Mitt Romney. Romney gets 20% of the support while Cain received 18%. Governor Rick Perry caught 15% of supporters with everyone else trailing. It will be interesting to see what happens after the GOP debate on Tuesday. Cain will grab the spotlight, at least he should, and we will see how he handles it. Could be big for Cain.

3. The AP calls out Obama (link)

The AP is now calling out Obama. Surprising I know.

When Obama accuses Republicans of standing in the way of his nearly $450 billion plan, he ignores the fact that his own party has struggled to unite behind the proposal.

When the president says Republicans haven't explained what they oppose in the plan, he skips over the fact that Republicans who control the House actually have done that in detail.

And when he calls on Congress to "pass this bill now," he slides past the point that Democrats control the Senate and were never prepared to move immediately, given other priorities. Senators are expected to vote Tuesday on opening debate on the bill, a month after the president unveiled it with a call for its immediate passage.

To be sure, Obama is not the only one engaging in rhetorical excesses. But he is the president, and as such, his constant remarks on the bill draw the most attention and scrutiny.

The disconnect between what Obama says about his jobs bill and what stands as the political reality flow from his broader aim: to rally the public behind his cause and get Congress to act, or, if not, to pin blame on Republicans.

The AP will probably be put on probation for this.

These and many more topics coming up on Monday’s edition of Lubbock’s First News with Chad Hasty. Tune in mornings 6-9am on News/Talk 790 KFYO, streaming online at kfyo.com, and now on your iPhone and Android device with the radioPup App.