Joe the Plumber & His 15-Minutes of Fame
[Guest post by DRJ]
Some people are doing everything they can to discredit Joe the Plumber:
The Toledo Blade says Joe isn’t a licensed or registered plumber and he has a tax lien on his house.
Andrew Sullivan #1 complains because Joe isn’t a licensed plumber and because he uses his middle name (Joe) instead of his first name (Samuel). “Next up: not actually a man?”
Andrew Sullivan #2 issues a correction [emphasis supplied]:“Correction
“Joe” the “Plumber”, pace HuffPuff, does not appear to be related to Charles Keating. Apologies for the link (now deleted).”
Democratic Underground has embraced the Keating meme and is convinced Joe is a Republican plant.
What did Joe do to deserve all this scorn? He had the audacity to ask Obama questions about his tax policies after Obama made an unscheduled stop at his home on Sunday afternoon as he “was playing football in his front yard with his son, Joey.”
The nerve of Joe.
Does that make Joey a GOP plant, too?
Meanwhile ABC reports John McCain plans to call and spend some time with Joe, which I think is an excellent idea. Joe and Sarah Palin are the most exciting people in the GOP — a real-life Joe Six-Pack and Hockey Mom.
— DRJ
Damn it, I knew I should have e-mailed McCain and offered my services (opinion) for say $249,000, just in case.
ML (14488c) — 10/16/2008 @ 7:06 pmConsider the tide completely turned. Oh, we’ll have the usual suspects here, and elsewhere, claiming that Obama’s winning in a walk, and we’re just grasping at straws…but the completely insane reaction to Joe, a man asking a simple question in a completely civil manner, from the left will turn any remaining undecideds to McCain. Couple that with the fact that, as we’ve seen from multiple sources, Obama is likely, in reality, no better than tied in this race, and I’m fairly sure we’ll be saluting President McCain in a few months.
Chris (95a123) — 10/16/2008 @ 7:07 pmWell, I guess I won’t ask my friend the German plumber who emigrated here two years ago. for his opinion. He’d probably be deported. He and his wife waited for years for their visas. It wouldn’t be fair to expose him to the Obamabots.
Mike K (2cf494) — 10/16/2008 @ 7:07 pmI love it. An obscure plumber and a woman from Alaska with terrific legs is all it takes to get the left in a dither. Its almost too easy but certainly speaks volumes.
I don’t think the public is going to take kindly to seeing an average Joe be dragged through the mud.
Dana (658c17) — 10/16/2008 @ 7:16 pmActually, they’re being rather restrained. They haven’t yet (as far as I’ve heard) taken his comparison of Obama to Sammy Davis’s tapdancing and started crying….
kishnevi (b28aae) — 10/16/2008 @ 7:20 pmWell, do I have to say it?
I don’t think the public is going to take kindly to seeing an average Joe be dragged through the mud. Comment by Dana — 10/16/2008 @ 7:16 pm
The poor guy tried to minimize his national role and spoke very diplomatically in avoiding endorsing any candidate. Now he’s worrying how much he is going to pay for the exposure. Stay tuned for a “Joe the Plumber Legal Defense Fund.
MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 10/16/2008 @ 7:26 pmJoe the Plumber will be one of first thrown into Obama’s gulag – I mean spa of reeducation enlightenment for racists.
Perfect Sense (9d1b08) — 10/16/2008 @ 7:39 pmOK so joe may have a few flaws…
I don’t know how things work in the union states, but here in CA there are plenty of plumbers working under their employers license. Duh.
I can see if someone knows what they are doing and taking a union course or paying union dues does not mean squat.
Construction should be a merit based system and if Joe the plumber does clean fast work the for a boss that is licensed then *bleep* the idiot journalists who think you need to have a license to sweat or glue a joint.
I’ve seen Mexican kids with three years experience, no english, just work the hell out of it… and do it way clean too. Someone who learns fast and smart who can employ others is a hero… not a pinata to beat on until all the candies fall out.
Obama is an economic dumbass. He will destroy the incentive to the best employers we have…. small business.
Obama also showed his true colors last night when he threw Columbia under the bus…. years and years of work getting the Columbians onboard and doing it right and dipstick tosses it out over a half baked old leftist saw…. “He’s not with FARC… he’s a teacher”
Israel should be very worried… and no doubt is ready to preempt Obama if needed to survive
SteveG (71dc6f) — 10/16/2008 @ 7:41 pmI don’t think McCain needs to spend any more time with Joe the Plumber. He needs to be spending all of his time and energy in battleground states.
Ronald James (aed11a) — 10/16/2008 @ 7:45 pmIsn’t Ohio a battleground state?
DRJ (c953ab) — 10/16/2008 @ 7:47 pmI can see if someone knows what they are doing and taking a union course or paying union dues does not mean squat.
Sorry bud, but I’m from Toledo. It is a union city. There is no way the business Joe is purportedly set to buy isn’t union. There is absolutely no way Joe worked as a plumber for 12 years saving enough money to buy a business and not be in the union. It’s not an issue of paying dues, it is a way of life for Toledoans.
Ronald James (aed11a) — 10/16/2008 @ 7:50 pmIsn’t Ohio a battleground state?
I’m saying reach the masses, 1-on-1 time with Joe will be severely ineffective.
Ronald James (aed11a) — 10/16/2008 @ 7:51 pm8 “Obama is an economic dumbass”
That sounds kind of racist to me and is a distraction from Obama’s plans for America. Ok, he admits increasing capital gains tax will mean fewer dollars into the treasury, but FAIRNESS is the real issue here. Why should “rich” people be able save their after tax dollars and then invest it when others don’t have the opportunity to save? Malt liquor, bling, ho’s and crack cost money too.
madmax333 (0c6cfc) — 10/16/2008 @ 7:57 pmI’d like to see capital gains not taxed at all. Why should money you were already taxed on be more for the pols’ money pit earmarks and waste?
Malt liquor, bling, ho’s and crack cost money too.
That’s pretty racist
Ronald James (aed11a) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:06 pmSo Hussein O’s goon squad and the Lame Stream Media wonks are after Joe the Plumber for asking the ‘one’ a legit question. That is the most losing idea Hussein O ever had. Right now 90% of ‘working’ Americans will be on Joe’s side. I think Hussein O just shot himself in the head. Todays major poll only had him ahead by 2 points, well within the margin of error or lies by the pollsters. This move will put McCain 10 points ahead if he plays it half right. Take Joe on the trail with him. Point out the fact that Hussein will take from every working person who makes a dollar. By tomorrow Hussein and crowd will be scrubbing their sites with bleach to remove any trace of their stupidity.
Scrapiron (6afa35) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:21 pmThis storm trooper crap NOT PLAYING WELL in the south and Midwest
NOT WELL AT ALL
EricPWJohnson (47b9ab) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:27 pmHussein will take from every working person who makes a dollar.
I think you mean McCain, seriously, you sir are an idiot
Ronald James (c313be) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:27 pm#10
It sure as hell is now – I cannot believe that the MSM went after him
For pete sakes – didn’t we lose a few thousand young sons one morning on a French beach so people like Joe could live without NAZIS!!!!
Unbelievable – just un-#@##$ believable
EricPWJohnson (47b9ab) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:30 pmIt’s the Obama Goon Squad doing their normal Thug Thizzle. First Amendment, what First Amendment?
daleyrocks (d9ec17) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:35 pmRe Steve G’s comments about contractors in California. A partnership or a corporation acting as a contractor may employ hundreds of people–but it only needs one Responsible Managing Employee or one Responsible Managing Officer (that is one guy who actually holds a contractor’s license from the state) and it can go out and contract with folks. Every other employee in the company works under that one single guy’s license. So Duh–if Joe works fast and clean for Smith Brother’s plumbers here in California, he’s a plumber.
I watched Bill Maher, one of the looser tools in the universe, go on Larry King tonight and say “You know, he’s not even really a plumber!”
This is what happens when you’re playing football on the lawn with your kid, and you let riff raff wander on your property. You ought to kick those trespassers’ sorry asses off your property at the first opportunity. There is not a doggone thing that Obama and his minions can do for you–except make your life worse. Joe the Plumber has proved that.
Mike Myers (31af82) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:36 pmJoe the Plumber is not the issue. What Obama said to Joe the Plumber, which is on tape, which is socialism 101 is the issue. If the majority of Americans want to vote for a socialist president so what? Isn’t that what transparency is all about, and we know Obama wants transparency because he said so. After all, Obama has already voted farther to the left in the Senate than the one self-identified socialist, correct?
Making Joe the Plumber the issue is a mean spirited distraction. But then, many people have already been thrown “under the bus” when their existence proved inconvenient.
In the history of warfare, it is interesting how many decisive battles and turns of history seem to have hinged on unanticipated events. Isn’t there a poem about “the web we weave when we try to deceive?”
Harrassing Joe is like what the DA did in the Duke situation when he made life hell for the cab driver who just wanted to come forward with what he knew.
MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:36 pmmax – Hos before bros. With all the felons ACORN employs I think the Obama campaign knows just where to score all the crack it needs.
daleyrocks (d9ec17) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:40 pmWorking under anothers license=Apprentice!
Plumbing is NOT rocket science! I’ve experienced plumbing from cracking and leading cast iron joints, disassembling them as well, not breaking them apart, taking them apart. I’ve run miles of galvanized, black pipe, copper and the easy stuff of today from 1/2″ to 3″ stuff.
That stuff was a far cry from what is used today!
Run sewer lines, septic systems and irrigation systems, and have hands on experience in all aspects of the job over 30 years worth. From first pipe to finish sink installs. Don’t even desire to think about the faucet and drain repairs I’ve done. I aint a plumber but I am an expert with a few brands of faucets!
I am NOT a plumber. But I CAN plumb!
I’d bet that Joe is by far much better at it than I am. I know my local guys sure are. Now if I did such every day? Well different answer, but have not so I am not a plumber.
TC (0b9ca4) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:40 pmIn Ohio you need a “plumbers license” in order to actually work as a plumber. Contractors licenses in California are completely and wholly irrelevant. Poor Joe, McCain kept referring to him as a plumber. If he has anyone to blame for calling him a plumber, then the truth coming out that he is not a plumber, it is the Maverick.
Ronald James (c313be) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:40 pmWorking under anothers license=Apprentice!
He’s been working as a so-called apprentice for a helluva long time, get real.
Ronald James (c313be) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:41 pmHe’s gonna own and operate his own plumbing business as an apprentice? HA
Ronald James (c313be) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:43 pmMD – Prosperity is the enemy of socialism/marxism, which makes people like Joe the enemy of people like Obama. They must be crushed. You can’t have rampant prosperity for socialism to succeed in America. The playing field must be leveled. You can only do that through a strong centralized government of the type Obama is trying to create.
daleyrocks (d9ec17) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:44 pmI see the Obama cultists are more interested in attacking Joe himself, than in dealing with the issue he presents.
Typical, as that was Obama’s reaction.
SPQR (26be8b) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:44 pm“Sorry bud, but I’m from Toledo. It is a union city. There is no way the business Joe is purportedly set to buy isn’t union. There is absolutely no way Joe worked as a plumber for 12 years saving enough money to buy a business and not be in the union. It’s not an issue of paying dues, it is a way of life for Toledoans.
Comment by Ronald James ”
Spoken like an official member of the Obama team. Truth is not a defense against The One.
Mike K (2cf494) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:46 pm“Poor Joe, McCain kept referring to him as a plumber.”
Ronald – Joe referred to himself as a plumber answering Obama’s question. What are Obama and McCain supposed to do, dickwad, say I don’t believe you and check his credentials? Nevermind, we know what Obama’s side did.
daleyrocks (d9ec17) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:47 pmSpoken like an official member of the Obama team. Truth is not a defense against The One.
Comment by Mike K — 10/16/2008 @ 8:46 pm
Spoken like a true idiot.
You can’t debate the substance so you throw out a tired catch phrase. Congrats! That is why you are going down in flames as we speak.
Ronald James (c313be) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:49 pmThis is your government with Obama – spying on your background with no cause. Welcome to the police state.
Where’s Naomi Wolfe when we need her?
daleyrocks (d9ec17) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:50 pmMr. James,
I am being real. Joe could have been a McCain plant who doesn’t know copper from PVC. All that would do is give people a reason to distract from the real issue, which is what Obama said in answer to his question.
And he was already known as “Joe the Plumber” before the debate, as I believe he was so named when the question was asked. Don’t blame McCain.
Mr. James, you made your appearance making a suggestion as to what McCain should do for campaign strategy. Methinks you are not interested in seeing John McCain win the election.
Obfuriating! That’s what it is!!
MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:51 pmMcCain said Joe the Plumber about 5000 times last night
Ronald James (c313be) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:51 pmI see the moonbats want to distract from what Obama said apropos of the ant and grasshopper parable. Joe the Plumber is not the issue. Obama sought Joe out and Joe was concerned about increased taxes if he bought a plumbing business.
madmax333 (0c6cfc) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:56 pmThe only thing that really matters is that socialist Obama thinks the grasshoppers need to give up what they worked for so that lazy ants who partied and did not prepare for winter will share in the grasshopper’s labor. Sounds like welfare to me. Granted some if not most who get welfare need it and deserve it, but I hear plenty of anecdotal evidence of how some recipients of disability, including SSI, work under the table and boast about selling their candy (prescription drugs) to others.
I suppose we should be ecstatic that under Obama’s reign, illegal immigrants and welfare cheats will live healthier and happier lives, albeit even if model exmaples for sloth.
#
Mr. James,
I am being real. Joe could have been a McCain plant who doesn’t know copper from PVC. All that would do is give people a reason to distract from the real issue, which is what Obama said in answer to his question.
And he was already known as “Joe the Plumber” before the debate, as I believe he was so named when the question was asked. Don’t blame McCain.
Mr. James, you made your appearance making a suggestion as to what McCain should do for campaign strategy. Methinks you are not interested in seeing John McCain win the election.
Obfuriating! That’s what it is!!
Comment by MD in Philly — 10/16/2008 @ 8:51 pm
I don’t like hearing some yokel from California tell me that Toledo is not a union town, or glossing over the point with a hackneyed catch phrase.
Toledo is a union town. My uncle owns his own plumbing business just like the one Joe is gonna buy. There is no way that would happen if he is not in the union. BTW the unions of Toledo are heavily in McCains favor.
Ronald James (c313be) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:56 pmThe only thing that really matters is that socialist Obama thinks the grasshoppers need to give up what they worked for so that lazy ants who partied and did not prepare for winter will share in the grasshopper’s labor.
Just like how I have to give my tax dollars so that the banks can stay afloat, same parable, and it wouldn’t have happened if John McCain didn’t lead historic deregulation efforts. Good one.
Ronald James (c313be) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:59 pmIt is amazing how much the Obama supporters emulate The One in just making stuff up.
SPQR (26be8b) — 10/16/2008 @ 8:59 pmRonald, it would not have happened but for McCain leading “historic” deregulation?
That’s a flat out lie on your part.
SPQR (26be8b) — 10/16/2008 @ 9:00 pmYou can’t debate the substance so you throw out a tired catch phrase. Congrats! That is why you are going down in flames as we speak. Comment by Ronald James — 10/16/2008 @ 8:49 pm
Well, you made my powers of deduction superfluous. Thanks again for the concern on the well being of Sen. McCain’s campaign.
Well gang, the only remaining question is whether “Mr. James” is a solo operator giving us grief or one of many sent to infiltrate and talk down Joe’s importance, whether by ACORN or Obama Central itself. Too bad he didn’t read the other thread earlier today about collecting info for legal action under RICO.
[daley- I was being a bit tongue in cheek about Obama wanting to be transparent about socialism economics. As always, you need a majority in a democracy who think they deserve the wealth of others to be given to them. I don’t think we’re there yet, which is why it is so dangerous to Obama for this reality of who he is to get traction.]
MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 10/16/2008 @ 9:03 pmMr. James,
The issue is not whether or not Toledo is a union town or the difference in tradesmen regulation in Ohio and California. The issue is not Joe the plumber. The issue is what Obama said. If you like Obama and what he stands for, don’t go picking on Joe and don’t go spreading talking points which aren’t addressing the issue. Defend why Obama is correct when he wants to take the money of hard working small businessmen and give it to someone else.
And if you want an honest discussion then please don’t wiggle in as if you want to see McCain do well.
If the union workers in Toledo are for McCain I wonder if it’s because of this idea of making workers vote for unionization in front of a union boss. Things haven’t changed since my “Pa” worked the coal mines of Harlan County years ago. Union bosses work for the union which is the same as the union bosses. The union workers get the shaft from the Union bosses instead of the company owners.
MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 10/16/2008 @ 9:15 pmRonald James 10/16/2008 @ 8:51 pm:
Together, Obama and McCain referred to Joe 26 times during the debate. It doesn’t help your case when your assertions are as exaggerated as this one was.
DRJ (c953ab) — 10/16/2008 @ 9:24 pmThought I’d share my feedback to the Toledo Blade reporter who showed such remarkable depth and credibility in her report:
Bridget,
Great job on the hit piece on that proletariat “Joe the Plumber.” You caught that businessman working without a license in a field where he could work under his contractor’s license, but such operation may have represented a marginal risk to pipes and union payments. I particularly enjoyed the part where you explained the role of union-administered licenses which serve as a mechanism to reduce the competition in a market and increase the wages commanded by the licensee. That was brilliant work for a journalist not versed in micro-economic labor scarcity theory.
Incidentally, what license do you work under? I didn’t see that on the website bio. I’d have to believe the journalistic trade requires a certain minimum expertise prior to permitting the representation of reported information to the general public. I know this requirement is in place for accountants who report public financial information — a requirement so stringent, in fact, that it has required not only a difficult certification in their field (CPA) but mandates severe criminal penalties for any material misrepresentations of fact to the public. In a word, we’re talking hard jail time. What certifications do you possess that allow you to make these representations about Joe the Plumber to the general public? What credentials does your profession require, other than a mediocre undergraduate degree anybody can obtain while sleeping through night classes?
I’m eager to learn of your credentials and capacity to judge others, such as this unlicensed plumber. While plumbing with your contractor’s license represents a minimal exercise in due care, reporting to tens of thousands without necessary professional certification and accreditation is a serious harm to society. I’ll be looking forward to your response.
redherkey (9f5961) — 10/16/2008 @ 9:30 pmI’m just surprised that the Left hasn’t attacked Joe for being a single parent when he could have had his son aborted and not created this insufferable situation that forces him to demean himself by subjugating himself to the will of others, instead of doing something noble with his life such as being a community organizer.
Another Drew (6ac001) — 10/16/2008 @ 9:33 pmMcC’s focus should be on Joe’s message, not Joe the person.
The original American Dream was individual liberty, that a person was free to profit from his own talent, ambition, innovation and hard work, his earnings and private property securely his own, without state encumbrances and confiscation.
The Democrats deride that original American Dream as the “I’ve got mine” culture. They think that the real American Dream is the “you’ll get theirs” utopianism of forced equal outcomes, which appeals to all the soft, envious layabouts, slackers and deadbeats who know nothing of American history; who think that simply by virtue of living in the USA, whether citizen or alien, worker or shiftless bum, talented or lazy, every person is entitled to be GIVEN a living for nothing.
McC needs to emphasize the difference between the real American Dream and its modern perversion.
gp (72be5d) — 10/17/2008 @ 6:17 amMcC’s focus should be on Joe’s message, not Joe the person.
The original American Dream was individual liberty, that a person was free to profit from his own talent, ambition, innovation and hard work, his earnings and private property securely his own, without state encumbrances and confiscation.
The Democrats deride that original American Dream as the “I’ve got mine” culture. They think that the real American Dream is the “you’ll get theirs” utopianism of forced equal outcomes, which appeals to all the soft, envious layabouts, slackers and deadbeats who know nothing of American history; who think that simply by virtue of living in the USA, whether citizen or alien, worker or shiftless bum, talented or lazy, every person is entitled to be GIVEN a living for nothing.
McC needs to emphasize the difference between the real American Dream and its modern perversion.
gp (72be5d) — 10/17/2008 @ 6:17 amComment by redherkey — 10/16/2008 @ 9:30 pm
Extraordinary, thank you.
Are you guessing about the contractors license, or do you know that to be the case? I have not seen that very important fine point anywhere else.
I often make the same point about journalists compared to MD’s and lawyers, I will add CPA’s to the list of those who really do have professional standards to uphold.
MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 10/17/2008 @ 6:30 amJoe isn’t running for President, and we know more about him than we do about Obama.
We still don’t know how Obama got into Columbia and Harvard and who paid for it, or even what his grades were.
I’ll bet we see Joe’s medical records before we see Obama’s.
drjohn (862e69) — 10/17/2008 @ 6:38 amJoe should have known better than to cross Obama and his leftist illuminati cronies. The next thing you know, we’ll find out that Joe actually tore the tags off his mattresses despite the warnings not to do so!
Jeff (8f2767) — 10/17/2008 @ 6:39 amI read elsewhere that the license issue is only relevant if it is a commerical project, and it does not apply to residential plumbing. Good Allah, the Left is showing their true colors on this one.
JD (f7900a) — 10/17/2008 @ 6:50 amYou can’t debate the substance so you throw out a tired catch phrase.
Hello Pot, I’m the kettle!
Dmac (cc81d9) — 10/17/2008 @ 7:36 amAt Bushie’s functions people have to sign loyalty oaths. Further, Bush has NEVER taken a question on the fly from ANYONE.
Why do you guys love Bush so much?
Metacom (b8c7e2) — 10/17/2008 @ 8:19 amMetacom – I have seen Bush speak twice, and have never been asked to sign a loyalty oath. Lie often?
Care to substantiate that one?
JD (f7900a) — 10/17/2008 @ 8:20 amAt Bushie’s functions people have to sign loyalty oaths
Another gross lie from the deluded Left.
Of course, if reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the United States of America, is a “loyalty oath”, I guess I’m guilty.
You’ll excuse me now, I have a fitting with my tailor for my new Fascist-Thug uni – it’s to die for, Pilgrim.
Another Drew (7894e6) — 10/17/2008 @ 8:29 amWhy do you guys love Bush so much?
Most of us don’t give a good crap about George Walker Bush; but,
Another Drew (7894e6) — 10/17/2008 @ 8:31 amwe love Freedom, and the America that allows it!
Yours is the first mention of Bush in this entire thread.
Consider professional help.
CW Desiato (614aa7) — 10/17/2008 @ 8:36 amMeta, you’re back baby!! Were you out greasing up Zapatista rebels or were you and your professor babe Jensen out liberating turkeys? I miss your sexy, revolutionary fervor sweetcheeks! Viva Chomsky!
Jack Klompus (cf3660) — 10/17/2008 @ 11:19 amI don’t think I would addressing the Obama troll, “Ronald James” as Mr James since that is almost certainly a lie and a pseudonym. Among other things that have come out is the information that Joe has been in an official apprenticeship program since 2003. He should have finished by now but his boss, who is responsible for -filing the paperwork, seems to have delayed.
These trolls have no information to add, including lies about uncles with union plumbing companies
Mike K (2cf494) — 10/17/2008 @ 12:08 pmMike K – They are persistent.
JD (5f0e11) — 10/17/2008 @ 12:16 pmWe all knew that Obama and his leftist illuminati cronies would be digging up dirt on Joe the Plumber as soon as he was a focal point of the debate. If the media spent half as much time lifting up the rug under which they have swept Obama’s indiscretions as they have digging up junk on Joe, the truth about Obama might actually be out there.
Jeff (3396e6) — 10/17/2008 @ 2:39 pmMetacom shows his lack of honesty rather clearly.
But no surprise there, consider the lack of integrity one has to be to be a Democrat these days. You have to consider Bill Ayers as a respectable citizen trying to improve education and consider Sarah Palin as an evil person.
That’s all it takes to be a Democrat, the sale of your soul.
SPQR (26be8b) — 10/18/2008 @ 6:52 pm