Down by double digits in several major polls, John McCain needed to really shake things up in the final presidential debate Wednesday night, even if it meant employing some risky strategies. While most instant analysis shows that his tactics backfired, it wasn't for lack of trying. In fact, you might say McCain "threw the kitchen sink" at his rival.

Or if you're an increasingly punch-drunk political reporter, you might work that cliché into a terrible joke about the new star of the night: Joe Wurzelbacher, a plumber whose misgivings about Obama's tax proposal were the basis of several of McCain's attacks.

Here are a few efforts from our favorite amateur comedians:

Newsweek
That loud clanging you heard coming from Hofstra University tonight? It was the sound of a kitchen sink soaring from stage left, where Republican nominee Sen. John McCain was positioned, and landing stage right. (It even came equipped with a plumber.)

New York Times
It was Mr. McCain’s last chance to cast doubt on his opponent’s character and credentials, and he threw the kitchen sink at him—along with the plumber.

New York Daily News
John McCain threw the kitchen sink—and "Joe the Plumber" too—at Barack Obama during the final presidential debate last night.

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