Oct. 17, 2008
After Debate, Glare Of Media Hits Joe
Washington Post: Revelations About "Joe The Plumber" Following Debate Reveal Downside Of Moment In Spotlight
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Joe: Obama Would Lower Taxes
Joe Wurzelbacher was launched into the national spotlight after being used as an example in a debate. Wyatt Andrews does a Reality Check on how each candidate would affect Joe "The Plumber."
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More From Joe 'The Plumber'
Ohio resident Joe Wurzelbacher was mentioned in the last presidential debate more than two dozen times. After the debate, he urged Americans to learn the issues before voting, reports Jennifer Boresz.
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McCain Highlights Plumber Joe
During the final presidential debate, John McCain and Barack Obama discussed an ordinary voter named Joe Wurzelbacher. Chip Reid reports on this small town plumber who has gained instant notoriety.
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Joe Wurzelbacher (CBS)
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"The real winner" of Wednesday night's debate, John McCain said yesterday at a campaign stop in Downingtown, Pa., "was Joe the Plumber."
That might depend on the definition of "winner."
Joe the Plumber, a.k.a. Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher of Holland, Ohio, is suddenly (sort of) a household name, featured in a McCain ad and sought after by networks news anchors and newspaper reporters. McCain would like to meet him in person this weekend, but Wurzelbacher's got a date on Mike Huckabee's Fox News show and might not have the time.
But the emergence of Joe has allowed the state of Ohio to locate the man it says owes nearly $1,200 in back taxes. His motives for confronting Sen. Barack Obama at a campaign stop in his neighborhood earlier this week are the subject of intense Internet speculation. The city of Toledo is preparing a letter to his employer seeking to determine whether he is violating city codes, and the plumbers union is on his tail.
"Joe the Plumber really isn't a plumber," said Thomas Joseph, business manager of Local 50 of the United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics, whose national membership has endorsed Obama.
Wurzelbacher, 34, had already taken tentative steps onto the national stage after talking to Obama on Sunday as the Democrat toured his suburban neighborhood outside Toledo. Wurzelbacher told Obama that he wants to buy the plumbing company he works for, and that his potential income of more than $250,000 would make him eligible for increased taxes under Obama's proposals.
"Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn't it?" Wurzelbacher asked.
Obama's answer to that and a question about the flat tax -- that Obama thought it better to "spread the wealth around" -- captured the attention of conservative media and the McCain campaign.
"Joe wants to buy the business that he has been in for all of these years, worked 10, 12 hours a day," McCain told Obama at the start of Wednesday night's debate. "And he wanted to buy the business, but he looked at your tax plan and he saw that he was going to pay much higher taxes," deferring what McCain called "the American dream."
Joe the Plumber quickly became a metaphor for the middle class, and between them, McCain and Obama mentioned him more than two dozen times.
The result was an avalanche of attention: "CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric on the phone, "Good Morning America" awaiting an interview, reporters in the driveway of his modest home.
"I'm completely flabbergasted with this whole thing," he told reporters. He did not return a phone call from The Washington Post.
The morning also showed that the spotlight can be unwelcome. Reporters wondering who Wurzelbacher is quickly found that he owes the state of Ohio $1,182 in back taxes, leading sharp-tongued liberal commentators to say he was not so much concerned about rising taxes as paying taxes at all. (A spokeswoman for the state said it is possible Wurzelbacher did not know about the lien.)
Wurzelbacher also acknowledged to reporters that he did not have a plumber's license but said he did not need one to do residential work with the two-man Newell Heating and Plumbing Co., which does have a license.
David Golis, a manager in Toledo's office of building inspections, said that is incorrect. "We were just discussing that we will send a letter to the owner of Newell reminding him" of the city's requirement that all who do plumbing work be licensed or in apprentice or journeyman programs, Golis said.
Union manager Joseph said that Wurzelbacher applied for an apprentice program in 2003 but never completed the work.
And Wurzelbacher told reporters that the goal of buying the business was more aspirational than firm. He said his income is "not even close" to the levels at which Obama's proposed tax increases would kick in.
Even if Wurzelbacher's hypothetical were true, tax experts said it is unclear whether he would pay higher taxes under Obama's plan.
Wurzelbacher told Couric that it is Obama's approach to tax increases that are worrisome. "When's he going to decide that $100,000 is too much, you know?" the divorced father of a 13-year-old son said. "I mean, you're on a slippery slope here. You vote on somebody who decides that $250,000 and you're rich? And $100,000 and you're rich? I mean, where does it end?"
McCain senior adviser Matt McDonald said Thursday that the Republican nominee had mentioned Wurzelbacher's encounter with Obama in a previous speech, but the campaign had not said he would be the centerpiece of McCain's debate performance.
That Wurzelbacher is not a licensed plumber or that his situation is not relevant to Obama's tax proposal did not give him pause, McDonald said. "He's a guy who asked a question that needed to be asked," McDonald said. "He's not a campaign staffer; he's not a surrogate. He's not someone who was vetted, and this wasn't something orchestrated by the campaign."
Appearing on CBS's "Late Show With David Letterman" on Thursday night, McCain mentioned the attention Joe the Plumber was getting and said, "Joe, if you're watching, I'm sorry."
Earlier in the day in New Hampshire, Obama said McCain advocates tax plans that favor the rich.
"He's trying to suggest that a plumber is the guy he's fighting for," Obama said. "How many plumbers do you know that are making a quarter-million dollars a year?"
Wurzelbacher has made that he is conservative and no fan of Obama -- he told Couric that Obama's answer to his question was a "tap dance" that was "almost as good as Sammy Davis Jr." -- but declined to say who he will be voting for Nov. 4.
That is between him and the lever in the voting booth, he said.
By Robert Barnes
© 2008 The Washington Post Company
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See all 128 CommentsCBS CNN ABC FOX etc etc.
Drop this guy he''s a non story
BTW: Brilliant McCain - a skinhead for your poster boy - just the messenger not to sway seniors and independents but already your own.
First, the state of Ohio says he is unlicensed, which is against the law in Ohio. Joe says he doesn''t need a license because he works for someone else. Ohio says it doesn''t matter; if he really is a plumber, he has to have a license to practice his trade!
On top of that, it appears our average "Joe" owes the state of Ohio back taxes!
Second, it appears Joe DOESN''T make or have enough money to buy his employer''s business. Maybe he is DREAMING about it, but based on what he makes, he couldn''t get a loan unless he expects Paulson and Bush to give him some of the $700 Billion!
Finally, there is a possible connection that he is related to one of those in the Charles Keating scandal of the 1980''s, a lead which the media is looking into.
The fact that "Joe" has been appearing on right-wing blogs and media isn''t exactly helping his case either!
Maybe the guy is a Republican "plant" or maybe he isn''t, but its pretty sure that Joe will be wishing he never heard of Obama and/or McBush after this!!!
SIG HEIL, LET''S INVITE JOE, THE PLUMBER, TO THE WHITE HOUSE!!!, BUSH!!!!
sig heil, JOE, YOU''RE A MILLIONARE BECAUSE I SAY SO!!!, McBush!!!!
sig heil, WHAT ABOUT JOE SIX-PACK???, Palin!!!
Joe the Liar. *** isnt even a real plumber. And he''s not even close to being able to afford to buy his boss'' business.
His 15 minutes are up. Now he could be facing 15 years for back taxes and practicing without a license.
PAKISTAN DOES NOT NEED AMERICA HELP IN ANYTHING ANYWAY. PAKISTAN CAN WIPE OFF AMERICA IN ANY MINUTE ANY TIME IT WISHES.....
....AND THAT IS THE ONLY REASON USA IS SCARED OF PAKISTAN SO BIG TIME THAT IT GIVES MONEY AND ALL KIND OF THINGS TO KEEP THEM FROM NOT ATTACKING USA.
Posted by Fizzie319 at 01:05 PM : Oct 17, 200
BAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHA He''s a FRAUD Sparky! This LOSER couldn''t buy a Toosie Roll let alone that Company!! After ALL the lies of Bush YOU poor losers still just lap up the Snake Oil don''t you? ROFLMAO
Posted by jamesm12341 at 01:16 PM : Oct 17, 2008
What does that have to do with anything?? ROFLMAO "Joe the Plumber" is a FRAUD and YOU losers fell for it... Hook, Line and Sinker!! ROFLMAO Way to go BOZO!! LOL They say there''s one born every minute... in YOUR case it had to be 10 seconds! ROFLMAO
Posted by irmcvet97 at 01:14 PM : Oct 17, 2008
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Thank you.
McCain-Bush similarity number 2891: we have a hard time distinguishing malfeasance from ineptitude.
Are you kidding me!!!REJECT "BARACK OBAMA IF WE ARE TO REMAIN A FREE SOCIETY!Biden has proven himself an elitist snob!Sounds familiar? YOU ARE SO FULL OF #$%%&*!@!You actually believe that people have forgotten some of the rude, obnoxious, narrow-minded,racist/polarizing *** you/others(StormyTexan particularly)have spewed for your lips? GET REAL!! You are just as phony,distasteful,divisive and knuckles dragging on the ground as your silverback leader, McCain!!
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yay!! Someone commented on my post!!
Posted by Raheem44 at 01:21 PM : Oct 17, 2008
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Who is really dumber though -- Joe or McCrash for bringing him into the discussion without checking the guy''s background? McCrash''s staffers are a bunch of idiots.
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Posted by cutetinia at 01:03 PM : Oct 17, 2008
He is still a US citizen and has the right to ask a candidate a question. Forget his non-plumber status for a moment. Obama percieved that he was a plumber and could be subject to new 250k level taxes and said what we all heard ("spread it around") We all found out what Obama and Biden really think of middle class folks. They hate them! Joe was right to say that one day 100k will be "rich". Slippery slope indeed. Biden trashing this guy just shows what an assshole the Senator from MBNA really is. Joe is just a poor slob but he sure brought out the best in our next prez & V.P.
Posted by jamesm12341 at 01:22 PM : Oct 17, 2008
And you reposted it - DUH!!!
George Bush''s LIE Caused Donald Rumsfield to LIE Which Caused John McCain to LIE Which Caused the Three Repbulican Scooges (Rudy, Mitt & Fred) to LIE Which Caused Joe Liberman to LIE Which Caused Sarah Palin to LIE Which Caused Carly Fiorina to LIE Which Caused John MCain to LIE Which Caused Sarah Palin to LIE Which Caused Joe The Fake Plumber to LIE...
Posted by O_The_POTUS
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What to He*l does Joe have to do with this "Joe The Plumber" is a metephor for most americans that are not happy with Obama''s wealth redistribution plan.
But I am assume you are one of the people sitting home on your A** hoping for Obama''s handouts.
Whether he is a plumber, or, whether he makes 250K, has a plumbing license, owes in back taxes, whether his question ended up being a hypothetical, etc...this guy just exposed Obama for what he really is. A Socialist.....
Way to go JOE.....
Posted by gopfornever
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It it wasn''t for the liberals trying to crush this guy because he made Obama look like a fool he would be fine. I believe he will be fine either way. I got a felling he gave this election a turning point becuse even the left media is talking about Obama''s wealthe redistribution plan.
Whether he is a plumber, or, whether he makes 250K, has a plumbing license, owes in back taxes, whether his question ended up being a hypothetical, etc...this guy just exposed Obama for what he really is. A Socialist.....
Way to go JOE.....
Posted by SUCKIT123
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Could not have said it better!!!!!
Posted by jamesm12341 at 01:22 PM : Oct 17, 2008
And you reposted it - DUH!!!
Glare of media hits joe... and reflects off his bald head.
"Joe the Plumber, the star of tonight''s debate, may have a very interesting connection to John McCain. In fact, Joe the Plumber (Joe Wurzelbacher) of Cincinnati, Ohio may be related to one Robert Wurzelbacher of Cincinnati, Ohio, who happens to be Charles Keating''s son-in-law. Robert Wurzelbacher was implicated in the Keating 5 scandal, and sentenced to 40 months in prison in 1993. Wurzelbacher is also a huge Republican donor."
He''s bringing up these topics in the wrong way. Not as a political strategist or a politician or anything else, just as a guy who says, OK: The problem with all of these guys is they''re all Marxists -- they''re all Marxists. They''re all spread the wealth. So look, I''m not going to tie you to these people any more than they have to, but -- but -- I mean, all the way from Frank Marshall Davis to your Reverend, they all preach Marxism. Now, you say to Joe the Plumber, I''m going to take some of your wealth and give it to somebody else, that''s Marxism.
Well, no that isn''t Marxism, unless your understanding of it is at about fifth-grade level. But that''s beside the point, isn''t it?
We''ve already graduated from wingnuts calling Obama and the Democrats "socialists" to "Marxists." Next: "Pinkos" and "Commies."
We''re not just living in Nixonland. We''re living in McCarthyville. I guess the next step in the devolution of the right is for the white hoods to come out.
OBAMA/BIDEN 08''
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hehe that''s cute. maybe the war hero will throw a tantrum and crash three more of our navy planes.
Posted by mr22585 at 01:45 PM : Oct 17, 2008
And to think McCain stopped campaigning to help with the socialistic Bailout...
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Posted by ERoosevelt08
So, what you are saying is that because Obama says that America is not good enough, we need to pay MORE?
How about controlling spending. We are taxed enough...
LIDDY: Your experience in the Hanoi Hilton is remarkable. I mean, I put in five years in a prison [for masterminding the Watergate burglary, and associated crimes], but it was here in the United States, and they didn''t torture - the only torture that I had was being forced to listen to rap music from time to time.
McCAIN: Well, you know, I''m proud of you. I''m proud of your family. I''m proud to know your son, Tom, who''s a great and wonderful guy. And it''s always a pleasure for me to come on your program, Gordon. And congratulations on your continued success and adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great.
Which of Liddy''s "principles and philosophies" was McCain referring to? Liddy''s advocacy of break-ins? Firebombings? Assassinations? Kidnappings? Taking target practice with figures nicknamed Bill and Hillary?
So how long has taxation really been socialism???
"Joe the Plumber, the star of tonight''s debate, may have a very interesting connection to John McCain. In fact, Joe the Plumber (Joe Wurzelbacher) of Cincinnati, Ohio may be related to one Robert Wurzelbacher of Cincinnati, Ohio, who happens to be Charles Keating''s son-in-law. Robert Wurzelbacher was implicated in the Keating 5 scandal, and sentenced to 40 months in prison in 1993. Wurzelbacher is also a huge Republican donor."
Now we look at Obama''s proposal he wants to tax rich higher and the poor lower and the redistribute the wealth by law. So basically that gives no motivation to improve ones self.
I know all you people who call us a fascist nation are to lazy to better your self and you want Obama''s handouts but you need to really ask your self why cubans are trying to swim out of Cuba.
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he was born to succeed. his father and grandfather were both 4 star admirals. he failed upwards - they pulled strings to get him into the navy academy and he graduated 4th from the bottom. most pilots get to crash 1 plane and they''re done. mccain crashed 2 planes while blatantly disobeying orders and used his father''s pull to get his wings back. then he cheated on his crippled wife and married a multi millionaire cheerleader. he wants to be president as a last chance to prove he is worthy of being a mccain. yea. he done much more than most people ever can imagine.
Were you guys beaten up by a minority with the temperment of say...Barack Obama...lately? That''s it, isn''t it? Hey, there''s no shame in that(Hilarious laughter can now be heard). Just change your names and move to California!
so if you pay taxes you feel no motivation to work? That is just laziness. Keep in mind Obama is not proposing a tax increase, just removing the temporary cuts Bush gave to high-income earners. Those cuts were supposed to stimulate the economy by trickle down. Did not work. Ending a failed program is something we can all agree on.
Posted by IOWEIGN at 01:57 PM : Oct 17, 2008
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So what if Obama can have is racist, felons and terorrist as friends that I would care if Mccain had a beer with guy.
But see now you trying to comapare a man that has served his time and apologised for his crimes. With a man who 2001 stood on the american flag and had a quote of "guilty as sin free as a bird isn''t america great". Now you justify your vote for a wealthe redistribution socialist any way you see fit.
Posted by andor3
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So what do you think ny taxing them more it will do what?
And I think you should read Obama plan we have some companies with incentives that pay about 15% interest Obama wants to remove thos incentives and make companies pay the 35% that is in the tax code.
So if you are a coorporation and loose 20% of you income what will happen? I beleive either you prices go up or you go out of business. You curtainly don''t higher new employees.
Couldn''''t happen to a better piece of rural redneck trash
Posted by cause_x
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Mccain will give him a medal once Obama''s "spread the wealth around" comment cost Obama the election.
"Joe the Plumber, the star of tonight''s debate, may have a very interesting connection to John McCain.
In fact, Joe the Plumber (Joe Wurzelbacher) of Cincinnati, Ohio may be related to one Robert Wurzelbacher of Cincinnati, Ohio, who happens to be Charles Keating''s son-in-law.
Robert Wurzelbacher was implicated in the Keating 5 scandal, and sentenced to 40 months in prison in 1993.
Wurzelbacher is also a huge Republican donor."
Coincidence? ORLY.
Posted by cause_x
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You I have come to realise you are nothing but a dam* n*ger that has nothing to offer to this blog but racist hate so as I have sad before-
I love you man can we get to gether and have a beer.
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