McCain speaks with Joe the Plumber

John McCain says he's had his first chance to speak with "Joe the Plumber," who's become a major talking point in his presidential campaign.

McCain has repeatedly invoked "Joe the Plumber," an Ohio man named Joe Wurzelbacher who became famous when he questioned Barack Obama about his tax proposals. Obama told him that "when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." The McCain campaign was quick to jump on that remark.

Speaking in Melbourne, Florida, McCain says Wurzelbacher's spirits "are good and he's a tough guy." He encouraged the crowd to "send Joe an e-mail and tell him you're with him."

Earlier today, McCain charged that Obama and his campaign have been attacking Wurzelbacher. In fact, Obama and Joe Biden have attacked McCain for portraying Wurzelbacher as representative of most blue-collar workers.