The Top 10 Everything of 2008

Top 10 Campaign Gaffes

9. McCain's Role Model Goes Rogue

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Oct. 28, 2008

"I'll actually go ahead and agree with you on that one."

Samuel Wurzelbacher, better known as "Joe the Plumber," when asked while campaigning for John McCain if a vote for Democrat Barack Obama is a vote for the "death of Israel."

Trying to explain his response, Wurzelbacher told Shepard Smith of Fox News, "You don't want my opinion on foreign policy. I know just enough probably to be dangerous," to which Smith responded: "Well, that's what I was wondering," before pointing out that Obama has consistently pledged his support for Israel. Less than a week later, Wurzelbacher, who McCain called a "role model" near the end of the campaign, questioned Obama's "loyalty to our country" during another appearance on Fox News.

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