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Joe the Plumber

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Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher
Other namesJoe the Plumber
CitizenshipUnited States
OccupationAssistant to plumbing contractor
EmployerNewell Plumbing & Heating (A. W. Newell Inc.)

Joe the Plumber, as Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher has been referred to, is an American plumber used as a representation of aspiring middle class Americans during the 2008 U.S. presidential election season. Wurzelbacher himself, and "Joe the Plumber" as the average joe,[1] gained attention when he was recorded questioning Barack Obama about his tax policy. He received greater prominence when he was mentioned frequently by John McCain and Barack Obama during the third presidential debate on October 15, 2008, as "Joe the Plumber", the nickname commonly used to refer to Wurzelbacher since then.[2]

Encounter with Barack Obama

On October 11, 2008, four days before the final presidential debate, Obama met residents in Wurzelbacher's Ohio neighborhood.[3] Wurzelbacher, who had been playing football with his son in his front yard at the time, asked Obama about his tax plan.[4] As an ABC News camera recorded the conversation, Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's tax plan would be at odds with "the American dream."[5] Wurzelbacher stated, "I'm getting ready to buy a company that makes 250 to 280 thousand dollars a year. Your new tax plan's going to tax me more, isn't it?"[6]

Obama responded with an explanation of how his tax plan would affect a small business in this bracket. Obama stated, "If you're a small business, which you would qualify, first of all, you would get a 50 percent tax credit so you'd get a cut in taxes for your health care costs. So you would actually get a tax cut on that part. If your revenue is above 250, then from 250 down, your taxes are going to stay the same. It is true that, say for 250 up — from 250 to 300 or so, so for that additional amount, you’d go from 36 to 39 percent, which is what it was under Bill Clinton."[7]

Wurzelbacher also asked Obama whether he would support a flat tax plan. Obama replied,

I would be open to it except here’s the problem with a flat tax is that if you actually put a flat tax together, in order for it to work and replace all the revenue that we’ve got, you’d probably end up having to make it like about a 40 percent sales tax.[8]

Obama also said,

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… My attitude is that if the economy’s good for folks from the bottom up, it’s gonna be good for everybody. If you’ve got a plumbing business, you’re gonna be better off [...] if you’ve got a whole bunch of customers who can afford to hire you, and right now everybody’s so pinched that business is bad for everybody and I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.[9] [10]

Presidential debate

Main article: United States presidential election debates, 2008

During the Presidential debate on October 15, 2008, repeated references were made to "Joe the Plumber".[11] In the debate, McCain repeatedly brought up "Joe the Plumber" and Obama and McCain then made statements aimed directly at Wurzelbacher. These events led to subsequent media attention directed at Wurzelbacher.[12][13][14]

After the debate, Wurzelbacher did not declare his vote for either candidate, although he expressed concern that Obama's plans were "one step closer to socialism."[15] Obama's running mate Joe Biden argued that "98 percent" of small businesses take in "less than $250,000 a year" in income and thus wouldn't be subject to higher taxes under Obama's plan. McCain insisted that Wurzelbacher would see "higher taxes" under his opponents' plan.[16]

Media appearances

Wurzelbacher spoke to Katie Couric of CBS Evening News on October 15, shortly after the conclusion of the final debate. Asked whether Obama's proposed $250,000 tax threshold would affect him, Wurzelbacher replied: "Not right now at presently, but (...) he's going to do that now for people who make $250,000 a year. When's he going to decide that $100,000 is too much? (...) 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? (...) Where does it end?"[17] He also said, “I asked the question but I still got a tap dance ...almost as good as Sammy Davis, Jr.”[17]

Wurzelbacher held a press conference at his home on the morning of October 16, following the debates, where he refused to express support for either candidate. "I'm not telling anybody anything" about which candidate he prefers, he said, adding, "It's a private booth. I want the American people to vote for who they want to vote for."[18]

On October 16, Wurzelbacher appeared on Your World with Neil Cavuto on Fox News. Neil Cavuto asked if Wurzelbacher was persuaded by Obama's plan. Wurzelbacher said that he was not and that he was more frightened upon hearing it. Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's plan was socialist in nature.[5]

On October 16, Wurzelbacher also appeared on Good Morning America. Diane Sawyer asked him if he was taking home $250,000 now, Wurzelbacher said with a laugh "No, not even close."[19] Sawyer asked Wurzelbacher, "And the McCain camp, some people have said did they contact you and tell you that you were going to be a major part of this, and had they contacted you before that encounter with Senator Obama?" Wurzelbacher answered, "Oh no, no, no one's contacted me as far as if I was going to be on the debate or as far as my name being used. No. I have been contacted by them and asked to show up at a rally. But, other than that, no. I just happened to be here and Barack Obama happened to show up."[19]

On October 29, 2008, Wurzelbacher was asked, at a rally, by a McCain supporter whether he supported the view that "a vote for Obama is a vote for the death of Israel." According to the Associated Press, Wurzelbacher replied, "I'll go ahead and agree with you on that." In a subsequent interview with Fox News, Wurzelbacher said he was simply offering his "personal opinion that I've come up with by looking into different facts," but that "you don't want my opinion on foreign policy. I know just enough about foreign policy to probably be dangerous."[20]

References on the campaign trail

On October 18, John McCain told a Melbourne, Florida campaign rally that he phoned Wurzelbacher for the first time on October 17. McCain said:

"…He's a great guy, proud of his grandfather who served in the US Marine Corps. We're going to fight for Joe, my friends, we are going to fight for him. The question Joe asked about our economy is important, because Senator Obama's plan would raise taxes on small businesses that employ 16 million Americans. Senator Obama's plan will kill those jobs at just the time when we need to be creating more jobs. My plan will create jobs, and that's what America needs."[21]

The McCain-Palin campaign's senior strategist Steve Schmidt said that John McCain's strategy in the final weeks of the presidential campaign is based primarily around his differences with Obama on economic issues, which they will continue to highlight through the story of Joe the Plumber.[22][23]

After the final presidential debate, McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin frequently repeated the charge in campaign speeches that "Joe the Plumber" would pay higher taxes under Obama and Biden's plan, although according to tax analysts neither Mr. Wurzelbacher nor the company he works for would actually be subject to higher taxes under Obama's tax plan.[6] Obama's "spread the wealth around" quote was later used by the McCain campaign, comparing the Democrat's policies to socialism.[24] McCain said, "[Obama] wants government to take Joe's money and give it to somebody else." Obama said in a campaign rally on October 24 that McCain was "not fighting for Joe the Plumber. He's fighting for Joe the Hedge Fund Manager... He likes to talk about Joe the Plumber but he's in cahoots with Joe the CEO." Obama then promoted a plan for middle-class tax cuts and "asked for a show of hands at the rally in the Richmond Coliseum from those making less than $250,000. Nearly all of the 13,000 people raised their hands."[25]

Aides to the McCain-Palin campaign stated on October 24 that they "plan to spend heavily" on a new TV advertisement invoking Wurzelbacher's nickname. The ad will feature "several different people looking into the camera and saying, 'I'm Joe the Plumber.' One man accuses Obama of wanting to use the man's 'sweat to pay for his trillion dollars in new spending.'"[26]

Wurzelbacher, as "Joe the Plumber," has been compared with Tito Munoz, a McCain suppporter who has been refered to as, "Tito the Builder."[27]

Plumbing career

Wurzelbacher is one of two employees of a small plumbing firm, Newell Plumbing and Heating Co. of Toledo,[6] the company he described to Obama as making $250,000 to $280,000 per year.[6] Wurzelbacher said that the idea of buying the company was discussed during his job interview six years prior.[4] According to MSNBC, Court records show that Wurzelbacher made $40,000 in 2006.[15] Dun & Bradstreet estimates the annual sales of A. W. Newell Corporation, the actual corporate name, at $510,000, and states it has 8 employees, not just 2.[28]

An Associated Press article reported that Wurzelbacher did not have a plumber's license or apprenticeship,[29] although Local 50 of the United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics revealed that Wurzelbacher did not complete an apprentice program started in 2003.[30]

Wurzelbacher actually does not need a plumbing license because he works for a plumbing corporation, which holds responsibility for licensing issues. Additionally A. W. Newell holds licenses with the State of Ohio and City of Toledo.[4][12] Even in light of the fact that Lucas County Building Inspection records show A. W. Newell Corp. does maintain a state plumbing license, another with the City of Toledo, and none in Lucas County Ohio, Joe Wurzelbacher has no control nor responsibility in regard to this issue. Even if according to Ohio building regulations, he must maintain his own license to do independent plumbing work,[31] Joe Wurzelbacher is not presently an independent plumber, meaning this is not presently a regulatory issue.

Music Career

Joe the Plumber has also been pursued for a record deal. [32]

Political affiliation

Wurzelbacher registered to vote in 1992. In 2008, he voted in the Republican primary.[15] He told an Associated Press reporter that, in the most recent Republican primary, he backed McCain.[12] Wurzelbacher is a registered Republican.[33] Due to a clerical error, his voter registration is under the name of "Worzelbacher."[34] 

 Ironically, if Republicans had won their 2008 lawsuit against the Secretary of State, a Democrat, then Joe the Plumber's registration would be purged for having a mis-matching name.

Draft campaign for Ohio's 9th congressional district

Since his meeting with Barack Obama, a campaign to draft Wurzelbacher to run for the United States House of Representatives in the 2010 election started with the website, joewurzelbacher2010.[35] The Washington Times and the Boston Herald have reported that this campaign's goal is to draft Wurzelbacher to run against Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio's 9th congressional district.[36][37] The website, joewurzelbacher2010, was created by Trevor Lair (presently the chairman of the Massachusetts College Republicans),[38] Derek Khanna,[39] and The Massachusetts Alliance of College Republicans.[40] The website encourages visitors to sign an online petition that support's Wurzelbacher’s run for office.[41] The slogan of the campaign is,“Plunge the crap out of Washington.”[38] Laura Ingraham asked Wurzelbacher, on October 24, 2008, if he would run against Rep. Marcy Kaptur. Wurzelbacher responded that he had considered the run and would be “up for it.”[42]

Opinions on taxation

In an October interview, Wurzelbacher said, "You know a lot of the stuff that our government is doing right now is all about taxation without representation and you know the last time that happened a couple guys got together and threw the Brits out."[43]

Wurzelbacher opposes the existing American Social Security program. He told CNN, "Social Security is a joke. I have parents; I don't need another set of parents called the government. You know, let me take my money and invest it how I please. Social Security I've never believed in, don't like it. I hate that it's forced on me."[44]

ABC News reported on October 16 that there is a judgment lien against Wurzelbacher for non-payment of $1,182 in Ohio state income taxes dating to January 2007, but "no action has been taken against him outside of filing the lien." Barb Losie, deputy clerk of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, said that "there is a 99 percent chance [Wurzelbacher] doesn't know about the lien, unless he did a credit report or was ready to pay his taxes."[45] While on Hannity & Colmes, Wurzelbacher stated that he was unaware of the tax lien prior to it being reported in the press, and felt he was being attacked because of his question of Obama.[46]

Ohio government database searches

Since The Columbus Dispatch reported on October 25, 2008, that “information on Wurzelbacher's driver's license or his sports utility vehicle was pulled from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles database three times,” multiple state databases have been used to get information on Joe Wurzelbacher.[47] In Ohio, state and local officials are investigating whether the accessing was illegal.[48] Wurzelbacher responded on Fox News saying that, "It upsets me greatly, to be honest with you."[49] John McCain responded later that day calling the actions, "remarkable."[50] The Obama campaign responded that the access had nothing to do with the Obama campaign and that it should be fully investigated.[51] Currently, the attorney general's office of Ohio is investigating who used the government computers.[52] Thomas Charles, the inspector general of Ohio, is currently part of the investigation. Also, Helen Jones-Kelly, the director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, has stated that she approved a check on Wurzelbacher following the 3rd presidential debate. She stated that this was to see if he was current on child support payments and that there were no political motivations behind that decision.[53] On October 28, 2008, the Columbus Dispatch reported that the inspector general of Ohio is currently investigating Helen Jones-Kelly's approval of the search for information on Wurzelbacher. The Dispatch also reported that this was the fourth time it has uncovered the use of a state computer system being used to search for information on Wurzelbacher.[54] Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre has stated that an internal investigation into why a civilian member of his department used a Toledo city computer to access personal information about Joe Wurzelbacher would be expected to be completed.[55] On October 28, 2008, The New York Times reported that, "the Ohio State Highway Patrol has identified a suspect in a criminal case involving illegal access to information in a state government database about Joseph Wurzelbacher."[56] Wurzelbacher, who has contacted a lawyer, stated the he would, “like to see justice done."[57] Julie McConnell, a police records clerk and police employee since April, 1995, has been charged with "gross misconduct."[58] On October 28, 2008, the Toledo Police Department stated that hearing is due to be scheduled within the next 10 days.[59]

References

  1. ^ "Joe the Plumber Represents Hopes, Dreams and Political Football". Fox News. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-29. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  2. ^ "Doubts raised on US 'plumber Joe'". BBC News. 2008-10-17. Retrieved 2008-10-29. Joe Wurzelbacher, 34, found himself at the centre of a media frenzy on Thursday after "Joe the plumber" was mentioned 26 times during the final debate.
  3. ^ Tapper, Jake (2008-10-12). "In Working-Class Ohio, Obama Meets Amorous Dogs, Skeptical Plumber". ABC News. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
  4. ^ a b c Vellequette, Larry (2008-10-16). "'Joe the plumber' isn't licensed". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 2008-10-29. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b Rohter, Larry (2008-10-15). "Plumber From Ohio Is Thrust Into Spotlight". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  6. ^ a b c d Rohter, Larry. (2008-10-16). "Real Deal on 'Joe the Plumber' Reveals New Slant". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  7. ^ "ABC News video 'Joe the Plumber'". 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
  8. ^ "Complete 'Joe the Plumber' conversation without Fox News commentary". LiveLeak.com. 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  9. ^ Fouhy, Beth (2008-10-15). "McCain, Obama get tough, personal in final debate". The Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  10. ^ Tapper, Jake (2008-10-14). "'Spread the Wealth'?". "Political Punch" blog. ABCNews.com. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  11. ^ "Joe the plumber is real hero of the debate", The Times, Anne Barrowclough, 16 October 2008.
  12. ^ a b c John Seewer (2008-10-16). ""'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license"". The Associated press. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  13. ^ Shales, Tom. "Candidates Make A Name for This Guy Joe", The Washington Post. October 16, 2008.
  14. ^ Ibbitson, John. "McCain invokes 'Joe the Plumber' to heap scorn on Obama", The Globe and Mail. October 16, 08.
  15. ^ a b c Bridget Tharp and Mark Zaborney (2008-10-16). ""'Joe the Plumber' is focus of presidential debate's first few minutes"". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  16. ^ http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/16/biden-questions-notion-of-this-guy-joe-the-plumber/
  17. ^ a b ""Joe The Plumber's Chat With Couric"". CBS News. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  18. ^ Mehta, Seema (16 October 2008). "'Joe the Plumber' still a topic for McCain, Obama". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-10-16. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ a b ""Meet Joe the Plumber"". ABC News. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  20. ^ 'Joe the Plumber': Israel's a goner if Obama wins, Jewish Telegraph Agency (JTA), October 29, 2008.
  21. ^ inquirer.net, John McCain telephones ‘Joe the Plumber’, AFP, October 17, 2008
  22. ^ Draper, Robert (2008-10-26), The Making (and Remaking) of McCain, retrieved 2008-10-26 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |source= ignored (help)
  23. ^ Nagourney, Adam (2008-10-16). "Polls Cause Campaigns to Change Their Itineraries". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-17. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ Drogin, Bob (2008-10-18). "John McCain compares Barack Obama's policies to socialism". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-10-19. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ Miller, S.A. (2008-10-22), Obama: McCain's for 'Joe the CEO', retrieved 2008-10-26 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |source= ignored (help)
  26. ^ Abramowitz, Michael (2008-10-24), As an Issue, Taxes Favor Obama: Polls Lean Toward Democrat on a Traditional GOP Strength, retrieved 2008-10-24 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |source= ignored (help)
  27. ^ ""Joe the Plumber, Meet Tito the Builder"". AOL News. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  28. ^ http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_dp1mf9
  29. ^ ""Is 'Joe the Plumber' a plumber? That's debatable"". Yahoo. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  30. ^ Barnes, Robert. "After Debate, Glare Of Media Hits Joe". Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  31. ^ ""'Joe the plumber' isn't licensed"". The Blade. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-27. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081029/pl_politico/15072
  33. ^ "Profile: Joe Wurzelbacher". BBC. 2008. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  34. ^ Michael Scherer. ""7 Things That Could Go Wrong on Election Day -- 1 The Database Dilemma"". Time Magazine. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  35. ^ ""Joe the Plumber to become Joe the Politican?"". WSBT-TV. 2008-10-18. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  36. ^ ""GOP group says Joe the Plumber is the right guy to unclog Washington"". Boston Herald. 2008-10-18. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
  37. ^ ""Joe the Plumber for Congress?"". Washington Times. 2008-10-17. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
  38. ^ a b ""Campaign to 'plunge the crap out of Washington'"". CNN. 2008-10-17. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
  39. ^ ""Web site urges 'Joe the Plumber' to run for Congress"". Toledo Free Press. 2008-10-19. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
  40. ^ ""Joe the Plumber for Congress?"". NBC. 2008-10-20. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
  41. ^ ""Joe for Congress?"". The Hill (newspaper). 2008-10-17. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  42. ^ ""Now, Joe the Plumber wants to be a Congressman!"". Asian News International. 2008-10-25. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
  43. ^ 'Who is "Joe the Plumber"?', KARE11, October 16, 2008
  44. ^ Los Angeles Times, Oct. 17, 2008.
  45. ^ Ibanga, Imaeyan (2008-10-16). "America's Overnight Sensation Joe the Plumber Owes $1,200 in Taxes". ABC News. Retrieved 2008-10-25. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  46. ^ Hannity & Colmes. Joe the Plumber on "Hannity & Colmes", realclearpolitics.com, October 20, 2008. (Transcript)
  47. ^ ""3 searches of 'Joe's' BMV files probed"". The Columbus Dispatch. 2008-10-25. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  48. ^ "" Database plumbed about 'Joe'"". Washington Times. 2008-10-26. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  49. ^ ""Report: Government Computers Used to Get Information on 'Joe the Plumber'"". Fox News. 2008-10-25. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  50. ^ ""Who used secret files on Joe?"". McClatchy Newspapers. 2008-10-25. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  51. ^ ""State probes Joe the Plumber record search"". Port Clinton News Herald. 2008-10-26. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  52. ^ "" Joe the Plumber's records hacked"". Cincinnati News. 2008-10-27. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  53. ^ ""Inspector general probing checks on Ohio plumber"". Associated Press. 2008-10-27. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  54. ^ ""Family Services checks on 'Joe.' Routine search part of policy, not politics, director says "". The Columbus Dispatch. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  55. ^ ""Police probe over employee pulling plumber's data nears end"". Toledoblade. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  56. ^ ""Contractor suspected in 'Joe the Plumber' privacy breach"". The New York Times. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  57. ^ ""'Joe' wants justice in records searches"". The Columbus Dispatch. 2008-10-29. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  58. ^ "" Toledo police records clerk charged with misconduct in 'Joe The Plumber' info inquiry "". Toledo Blade. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  59. ^ "" Clerk charged with unlawful search of Joe the Plumber "". NBC News. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-10-29.


{{subst:#if:Wurzelbacher, Joe|}} [[Category:{{subst:#switch:{{subst:uc:1973}} 

|| UNKNOWN | MISSING = Year of birth missing {{subst:#switch:{{subst:uc:LIVING}}||LIVING=(living people)}}
| #default = 1973 births

}}]] {{subst:#switch:{{subst:uc:LIVING}} 

|| LIVING  = 
| MISSING  = 
| UNKNOWN  = 
| #default =

}}

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