From The Road
October 15, 2008 11:16 PM

Who Is Joe The Plumber?

By
Maria Gavrilovic
Topics
Campaign '08
(CBS)
From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:

(HEMPSTEAD, N.Y.) - The star of the final presidential debate was Joe Wurzelbacher, aka "Joe the Plumber." John McCain mentioned Wurzelbacher tonight shortly after the debate began, and both he and Obama said his name more than 25 times during the 90-minute debate. How many times did the word Iraq come up? Six. How many times was the word economy used? 16.

So, what makes Joe the Plumber so special? Well, Obama met Wurzelbacher on Sunday, just shortly after landing in Toledo, Ohio. Before heading to his hotel for an intensive two days of debate prep, the campaign organized a quick stop in Holland, Ohio. The plan was for Obama to walk down Shrewsbury Street, knock on doors, and ask people to vote. For all intents and purposes, it was a photo op.

But then Joe came into the picture, a burly, middle-aged guy with a goatee, who approached Obama and asked him if he believes in the American dream. He proceeded to tell Obama that, after working as a plumber for 15 years, he is going to purchase his own business. The catch was that the business was worth more than $250,000 and Joe asked if he would be taxed more under Obama's plan.

"I'm being taxed more and more for fulfilling the American Dream," he said to Obama.

While Obama made several attempts to explain his tax plan, the bottom line was always that Joe would suffer from increased taxes.

"I'm gonna cut taxes a little bit more for the folks who are most in need and for the 5% of the folks who are doing very well - even though they've been working hard and I appreciate that – I just want to make sure they're paying a little bit more in order to pay for those other tax cuts," Obama told Joe.

"It's not that I want to punish your success – I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you – that they've got a chance at success too."

Obama left the neighborhood right after the conversation with Joe, admitting that the conversation was good practice for the debate. Little did he know that this chance encounter was going to be the main flashpoint tonight.

Add a Comment See all 54 Comments
by nasanja-2009 October 18, 2008 4:36 AM EDT
Joe the Plummer isn%u2019t even a Real Licensed Plummer!
I was so outdone, so I decided to tell you a real story about a Real hardworking Journeyman Toolmaker named Greg. Greg was a devoted toolmaker for a Big Three supplier for 36 years. Production supervisors passed up the list to call Greg because they knew the job would be up and running in no time at all and with precision expertise But one day our job decides to have us pack our jobs and send them to Canada. Plant closings followed, but with no severance package. With two kids in college and my health failing I was worried my REAL journeyman toolmaker might lose his cool. We refinanced three times, raided our 401k, and even pawned our wedding rings to save our home. Denied food stamps, foreclosed, bankruptcy. Salvation Army who told him that they would help him this ONE time but to NEVER come back. We paid our bills on time, went to work everyday, and did our jobs with pride.
Why is the tax money we paid all our life going to help banks that would not even try to help us when we need them to listen to us? It is a slap in our face to watch our dream house be for sale at a price that is HALF of what we pay now to Rent Scammers. Oh our new landlord just filed bankruptcy. We did not see anything in the bailout to help us. What are we supposed to do? Where is the help for Greg the Journeyman Toolmaker that paid his bills and saved his money and now is forced to live in poverty?
Reply to this comment
by akrueger8 October 17, 2008 1:04 PM EDT
Wow. Joe the Plumber expects to make $250,000/yr net?? That is about five times what Angie the Lawyer will make this year. I guess I should have chosen a career in plumbing rather than law...
Reply to this comment
by akrueger8 October 17, 2008 1:03 PM EDT
Wow. Joe the Plumber expects to make $250,000/yr net?? That is about five times what Angie the Lawyer will make this year. I guess I should have chosen a career in plumbing rather than law...
Reply to this comment
by cbusstudent October 17, 2008 11:29 AM EDT
I''m sick of reading articles on websites and seeing the posts left by readers below them that are filled with hate and unbacked claims. That is what is wrong with this country today. All the negativity about everything is what is destroying this nation. Maybe if the two parties tried to work together more and tried less to slash each others throats our country would be in a better state.
Reply to this comment
by tangolopez October 17, 2008 8:48 AM EDT
Joe the plumber is a plant from the McCain camp!!1
Reply to this comment
by hatenomore-2009 October 17, 2008 4:35 AM EDT
It''s time for wealthy Americans to pay their share of taxes. The middle class is losing their shirts. No one wants to pay taxes but someone has to. Even on a state level, you can''t even build roads without taxes. By the way.... I think the war mongers who want this war should be paying for it instead of those who don''t want it. How is McCain going to pay for his never ending war? Think about it!
Reply to this comment
by hatenomore-2009 October 17, 2008 4:31 AM EDT
I have one thing to say: McCain = Bad Judgement.
Reply to this comment
by sulari1245 October 17, 2008 2:27 AM EDT
What is with Senator McCain , all he is left with is Bush Cheney Karl Rove gruff. He can''t even answer without rebuke or blame Sadly there is no seriousness or class in him anymore. He decides to use a tax evading man to represent hard working honest Americans. Mr. McCain is becoming more non presidential and desperate. These are serious times please show some substance. Worry abut us Americans not about how to to bully Obama. It is getting old. we have seen it already with the Bush Cheney Karl Roves. And while you are at it you may want to ask Sarah Palin to apologize to Obama for calling him a terrorist before asking Obama to apologize for Mr. Lewis remarks. She is YOUR running mate , check her credentials and records more thoroughly before pointing fingers on others. That is very non Christian of you Sir. ... And one more thing, Sarah Palin has yet to take care of that baby you all use for your personal political gain. You conveniently bring in the kids when you want to but then blame others for bringing the kids into politics. Take a stance Kids are in or not. Autistic kids and kids with Down''s need parents at home. She is busy buying votes for you Mr. McCain . And truly,she has no idea what it takes to be a really involved in raising kids of special needs , not till they are beyond 6 months old. Stop using her baby as a prize for your political aspirations.
Whatever happened to John McCain?
Reply to this comment
by aileenhs October 16, 2008 9:02 PM EDT
If Joe the plummer would hire employees like he said he wanted to, his taxable income would drop below $250,000 and he would be eligible for the Obama tax cuts....Just a thought.
Reply to this comment
by dmcgavock October 16, 2008 7:56 PM EDT
It sounds like Senator Obama didn''t hear Joe right. The business being worth 250,000 doesn''t equate to 250,000/yr in income for Joe.

If Joe earns less than 250,000 whether he works for himself or someone else, he gets a tax break under Obama.

Joe will also get a tax credit whenever his business hires a new worker here in America.

John McCain promises to tax Joe the Plumber for his health care and confirmed that in the debate.
Reply to this comment
See all 54 Comments
.

Follow From The Road

Scroll Left
Scroll Right More »
CBS News on Facebook
  • Building You a Better Morning

  • CBS This Morning

    "CBS This Morning," anchored by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill, airs weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and at the same time in other time zones.
    Learn more...