Joe the plumber down the drain.
Credit: aaron cirillo | ©sxc.hu/aaron cirillo
Joe the Plumber Down the Drain: No Plumbing License, No $250,000 Income, Related to Keating 5 Convict
Daily Kos is credited with first uncovering the possible relationship of McCain's Joe the plumber with Robert Wurzelbacher, the son-in-law of Charles Keating, sentenced to prison for his role in the Lincoln Savings and Loan collapse in the 1980s (remember the Keating 5? Not a singing group.) Robert Wurzelbacher is a contributor to Republican campaigns throughout the country.
Soon reports followed alleging that Joe the plumber was not a registered voter in Ohio. Why should anyone care what Joe the plumber thinks about McCain or Obama and their respective tax plans if he wasn't even registered to vote? These reports soon proved erroneous though as an another anomaly surfaced to replace them.
Joseph Wurzelbacher's full name is actually Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher. Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher is registered to vote alright, as a Republican, but guess what? Joe "the plumber" is no plumber. A check of Ohio plumbing licenses done by the Toledo Blade showed he had no plumber's license. Joe-not-a-plumber-Wurzelbacher responded to the "you're no plumber, Joe" discovery by claiming he works under his boss' plumbing license. However, Ohio law requires Joe-not-a-plumber to have his own license.
Cheater in his business, cheater in politics? Fair question under the circumstances. After Joe-not-a-plumber expressed concern over the effect Obama's tax plan would have on his prospects of opening his own business, McCain charged with accusations that Obama's tax plan stood between poor Joe the plumber and his ability to open his own business. Seems something bigger is looming in Joe-not-a-plumber's path than some future tax plan that may or may not ever be enacted into law.
ABC news staked out Joe-not-a-plumber's house and learned that Joe had hoped to buy a plumbing business with an asking price of $250-280,000. His earnings? Far less than that. Yes, you got it, Joe the plumber, who we now know isn't a legal plumber, would not face any tax increase whatsoever under Obama's tax plan.
McCain Team Paris Hilton Vetting Gaffe
Soon reports followed alleging that Joe the plumber was not a registered voter in Ohio. Why should anyone care what Joe the plumber thinks about McCain or Obama and their respective tax plans if he wasn't even registered to vote? These reports soon proved erroneous though as an another anomaly surfaced to replace them.
Joseph Wurzelbacher's full name is actually Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher. Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher is registered to vote alright, as a Republican, but guess what? Joe "the plumber" is no plumber. A check of Ohio plumbing licenses done by the Toledo Blade showed he had no plumber's license. Joe-not-a-plumber-Wurzelbacher responded to the "you're no plumber, Joe" discovery by claiming he works under his boss' plumbing license. However, Ohio law requires Joe-not-a-plumber to have his own license.
Cheater in his business, cheater in politics? Fair question under the circumstances. After Joe-not-a-plumber expressed concern over the effect Obama's tax plan would have on his prospects of opening his own business, McCain charged with accusations that Obama's tax plan stood between poor Joe the plumber and his ability to open his own business. Seems something bigger is looming in Joe-not-a-plumber's path than some future tax plan that may or may not ever be enacted into law.
ABC news staked out Joe-not-a-plumber's house and learned that Joe had hoped to buy a plumbing business with an asking price of $250-280,000. His earnings? Far less than that. Yes, you got it, Joe the plumber, who we now know isn't a legal plumber, would not face any tax increase whatsoever under Obama's tax plan.
McCain Team Paris Hilton Vetting Gaffe
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Comments
Good article. Obama does seem to manage to deflect the spotlight off of himself. I was talking to someone last night about whatever happened to that church and pastor issue when a political ad came on TV addressing that very subject. Obama has a whole lot of skeletons in his closet. If, and when, he is elected President we will probably find out all kinds of things. Not saying McCain should be President, but I think we don't have very good choices this time around.
JP, a lot of people believe what you do as far as the license, but several major media outlets have interviewed Ohio officials, including WaPo, and Ohio says otherwise, says Joe needs a license to do plumbing.
I think that Joe the Plumber was brought to light by the Obama campaign. The business he works for was used as an example of a small business that would pay extra in taxes. In Ohio, as in other states, the plumbing license is held by the owner and then he's responsible for his workers. Frequently contractors do the same with electricians. The electricians check the work at the end because their license is on the line. I'm still not sure what the big deal is? I'm a registered Republican but I don't vote a straight ticket and if the right candidate were on the ballot would have to consider "the other side". I doubt seriously that any of this is valid. Say, does anyone know whether Obama ever gave a copy of his birtth certificate to that guy that's suing for it? I never heard any conclusion to that one.
Joe got flushed.....he got his 15 minutes, and I don't begrudge him that. But he was just a tool. And a desperate ploy...
Booby Wrote "Are you stupid or just brainwashed? Obama went to HIS house, Joe did not seek him out..." WRONG. Obama was on a street near his house and Joe did, in fact, seek him out to ask a question. Since he is a registered Republican and donates to many Republican political campaigns, one might wonder why he sought out Obama. What do you think, Bobby? Oh wait... non sequitor question given your previous satement, sorry.
Why did this all come up after the fact? I'm so glad it was a central issue of the debate.
Wow, gee. Now let me see why I don't care to vote. Look at my wonderful choices! I'd rather sit back and freely complain, since I had no doing in it. Lol.. wonderful piece.
Excellent writing Carol. I have to agree with Justice too, it is a real shame that people have been snooping about this fellow's personal business just because he asked a question.
How dare anyone "spread the wealth" in America? Wealth belongs only in the hands of the wealthy. How dare anyone try to promote the general welfare? What sort of commie pinko socialist idea is that? (Next they'll want to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.) There's something inherently hilarious about the lower class defending the elite rich and their never-ending battle to pay no taxes whatsoever, while begging for the middle class to pay for their risks on the stock market.
Now how come I had this feeling that sooner or later somebody'd go after poor ol' Joe. Personally, I now know better than to ask a presidential candidate ANYTHING, or somebody will come after me, and expose all of my faults and shortcomings to the world in order to discredit me. And boy, do I have some skeletons in MY closet (just like Obama and everybody else, I reckon)! I really didn't like the 'spread the wealth around' phrase, either, and here's why: I may not earn a lot of money now, but I absolutely will someday when all my hard work, long hours, and personal sacrifice finally pay off. Having said so, why the hell should I be punished by having more of my money taken and given away when I finally do catch the brass ring? Talking about killing any incentive to excel!
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