This a great link, as is the link within the link, for putting Obama's remarks in perspective. I wish Obama would put out an ad that makes clear his meaning:
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2008_10/015225.phpEdited to add this excerpt:
This is what John McCain was referring to last night when he said:
"You know, when Sen. Obama ended up his conversation with Joe the plumber -- we need to spread the wealth around. In other words, we're going to take Joe's money, give it to Sen. Obama, and let him spread the wealth around.
I want Joe the plumber to spread that wealth around. You told him you wanted to spread the wealth around."
But that's just not what Obama said. He did not say that he wanted to spread Joe's wealth around. He certainly did not say that he thought he was entitled to simply expropriate Joe's wealth and distribute it to poor people, like Robin Hood. He said he wanted to spread the wealth: i.e., to have a tax code that is less skewed towards the wealthy. That's Obama's radical idea: progressive taxation.