Joe the Plumber hits media after "gotcha" CNN interview
Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, aka Joe the Plumber, talks to the media about running for Congress at Tony Packo's in Toledo, Ohio, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011.
/ Associated PressRepublican congressional candidate Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher blasted the media Thursday for what he suggested was unethical journalism after a CNN reporter attempted to question him on social issues.
In an interview with CBS News' Political Hotsheet, Wurzelbacher suggested that CNN had invited him on the show under false pretenses because "they asked me to come on the show to talk about what I want to do and accomplish," and then questioned him on social issues.
Wurzelbacher, who came to prominence as "Joe the Plumber" in the 2008 election after asking President Obama about his plan to help small businesses, is running for Congress in Ohio. He won the Republican primary Tuesday and faces longtime Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who earlier this week defeated former presidential candidate Rep. Dennis Kucinich in the Democratic primary, in the general election.
"I have a problem with the media saying one thing and doing another," Wurzelbacher told Hotsheet, referring to the interview with CNN, which aired Thursday morning. He said it should be "obvious to anyone who has a half a brain" that CNN's question was so-called "gotcha" journalism
CNN's Zoraida Sambolin questioned Wurzelbacher on past statements he has made about homosexuality, in which he suggested that the word "queer" was not derogatory, and that he would not let gay people "anywhere near" his children.
"So this is TMZ, this isn't CNN, is what you're saying," Wurzelbacher said, in response to her question.
Wurzelbacher explained to CBS that he does not believe a national political candidate's views on social issues are relevant, with the exception of views on abortion, because he thinks those matters should be governed by the state.
"Social issues short of abortion should be decided by the states," he said. "The federal government has got to stop these one-size-fits-all laws."
Wurzelbacher added that he exempts abortion rights from that standard because "you don't kill people."
"It's that simple. You don't kill people. Babies are people from the moment of conception," he said.
The candidate said he would back a federal "personhood" bill, which defines life at the moment of conception, and expressed wonder at "the fact that there's even a discussion on this, or an argument." He also said he would support overturning the Supreme Court's landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion in 1973.
"I stand for the unborn," he said.
When pressed, Wurzelbacher said he would not answer any more questions about his stance on homosexuality, but noted that his campaign is preparing to release a statement on the issue- and "then the media can have all kinds of fun with it."
The candidate faces an uphill battle against Kaptur in the general election. The district leans in favor of Democrats, and Kaptur is a high-ranking Democrat currently serving her 15th term in the House.
Wurzelbacher says he is not intimidated by Kaptur's long record in politics.
"In this political climate I don't think it will serve her to be able to tout all her experience," Wurzelbacher told Hotsheet. "I see it as a detriment. She's definitely part of the problem."
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You are clearly a victim of "gotcha" journalism here...how dare they ask you to comment on a statement that you've already made?
The arch-fiend Jane Pauly slyly asked Sarah Palin about her thoughts on the Bush Doctrine...never revealing that the Bush Doctrine was her own party's foreign policy.
HOW COULD SHE BE EXPECTED TO KNOW THAT"
The Bush Doctrine was a closly guarded secret known only to those who were capable of reading a newspaper at a sixth grade level...so not available to Sarah Palin.
Gee Joe...is the "elite liberal media" trying to stop you from getting the "truth" to the American people too? Are they just picking on you because of your patriotic tea-bagger remarks about "queers"?
Go figure...
Do the media airheads actually KNOW what a plumber does for a living or do they have to consult Google??
Perhaps it would be better for the USA if as many people as possible listed what they want politicians to do for USA, rather than GOP/Democrats/Wall Street/Big Business etc deciding issues for us!!
1. Repair Constitution.
2. Presidents terms restrict to ONE!
3. Freedom of speech MANDATORY, no howls from Left at Limbaugh et al!
4. Scrap racism/sexism/religionism/Unamericanism.
STOP ALL GOVERNMENT SPENDING DEAD.....FOR ONE YEAR, WHOEVER WINS!
I fear that at the moment, the Congress and White House are "Up for Grabs" by Super Pacs and Zillionaires.
Nothing will change....America is doomed!!!
(Comment a short extract from media interpretation of Facts to date!)
Urgent, find a Bob the Builder to counteract Joe the Plumber for the Dems!!
Obama could then perhaps begin to REBUILD the TRUST he lost after not keeping his 2008 promises!!
Do you really believe high gas prices are good for America as long as they go up gradually?
Do you really believe "the white man's greed ruins a country in need"? As you said in your book.
Do you really think cops in Mass are stupid?
Do you believe in Black liberation theology and if so do you believe you self to be a racist for your views?
There are many many more gotcha questions that could be put towards Obama. But they never will because of media biased and hypocrisy of the left. The left think they are only people who can decide what is relevant questioning.
So what if he said he didn't want gays near his children. It is no different than a parent saying they don't want a stripper, prostitute or pedophile near their children. Most parents would like to keep sexual perversion away from their children and this being a free country that is their right!
Yes this a free country and you are free to have sex with whoever you choose but that does not mean "Joe" or anyone else should have to let you near our children.
Another Republican running for Congress trying to dodge an honest question; then slamming the press for asking it.
If he doesn't have the guts to stand behind one of his former statements,; what makes him think he can become a good, honest Congressman.?
More interviews should be cut short when they beat this same old tune!
America may want to know what he is going to do for our economic future, where the "gay" issue is way down the list!
How do you conservatives stick up for the bigoted hate that Rush Limbaugh spews. It says a lot about conservatives, that is for sure. Joe the Plumber said he wouldn't let any queers near his children, I wouldn't let a conservative around my child. Who knows what kind of hate he would project on her.
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So you condemn someone as a bigot while exposing your own bigotry. Sounds like a typical liberal.