Deadbeat Joe

McCain clearly has a 'vetting' problem. McCain's plumber has some problems of his own too:

"Joe the plumber," the Toledo, Ohio, man whose complaints about Barack Obama's tax plan were highlighted by John McCain in the final presidential debate, owes the state of Ohio almost $1,200 in back income taxes.

According to records on file with the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, the state filed a tax lien against Samuel J. Wurzelbacher for $1,182.98 on Jan. 26, 2007, that is still active.

He also apparently doesn't have a plumbing license. (Call Richard Nixon for that one.) Looks like the wheels have come off the Straight Talk Express. Only thing is, the presidency at this point after all the damage done by Bush and Cheney, really is a poisoned chalice. At least we get a couple of 'Supremes' we can rely on.

Sean Paul Kelley October 17, 2008 - 12:26am

Sean Paul Kelley's diary | printer friendly version |

( categories: USA: Campaign 2008 )

RE: DEADBEAT JOE

Typical liberal reaction. Attack the poor European American guy who asked a simple question of Barack Hussein Obama. Why not just answer the question? The truth is Mr. Hussein's policies will tax any company with REVENUES over 250,000.00 NOT income. This guy deserves a tax break not you pathetic attacks.

proudcelticman October 17, 2008 - 1:22am

I was going to write something.

But really... what's the point? See you November 5th.

"The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential."

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Escher Sketch October 17, 2008 - 2:47am

No one

...pays tax strictly on revenue in this country. We pay tax on profits and wages. Deductions are allowed. 1040ez filers may be unaware of this.

Mr Hussein? Really? Is there some reason why people shouldn't view this as a pathetic attack on Mr. Obama?

America's tax burden is low compared to western nations generally. Personally, I don't mind paying my fair share. Right now its the richest among us that aren't. And, of course, the deadbeats.

If by typical you mean reality based, well, right you are. Good luck to you.

ww October 17, 2008 - 5:04am

Oops.

From a GOP blog.

Joe “the Plumber” Wurzelbacher related to Charles “the Crook” Keating. Oops.

October 15th, 2008 by Marty

John McCain did great tonight in the debate. But every time John mentioned “Joe the Plumber,” some of us in the campaign banged our heads against the wall. If Steve Schmidt had any hair left, I hear he would have been pulling it out tonight. He reportedly screamed at John’s debate prep team tonight (out of earshot of reporters, of course). “You idiots - he’s related to Charles Keating… of the Keating Five scandal!” They thought they had a real live Joe Six-Pack who’s spurned Barack Obama’s tax plan. But what they forgot to do was check on Joe Wurzelbacher’s background.

Turns out that Joe Wurzelbacher from the Toledo event is a close relative of Robert Wurzelbacher of Milford, Ohio. Who’s Robert Wurzelbacher? Only Charles Keating’s son-in-law and the former senior vice president of American Continental, the parent company of the infamous Lincoln Savings and Loan. The now retired elder Wurzelbacher is also a major contributor to Republican causes giving well over $10,000 in the last few years.

Does any of this make Joe the Plumber a bad guy? Of course not. In fact, after that ill-fated night at the Watergate, he may finally be giving plumbers a good name. But at a debate where John goes full bore on Obama for guilt-by-association with William Ayers (and dodges a bullet by Obama not mentioning Keating Five), the press is going to bring it back front and center by midday tomorrow once they delve deeper into the most popular plumber in America...

That's right - a GOP blog.

If it's confirmed, we might be hearing more about this tomorrow.

[edited to add - treat with caution, there are questions about the source blog - ES]

"The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential."

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Escher Sketch October 17, 2008 - 3:33am

You know it wouldn't really matter if they were related.

This whole crap of "ordinary Americans" connecting to today's Republican party is a joke.

So now Obama's persecuting Joe (though McCain made him visible, he has no responsibility for using the man) and Palin's touting the ‘Pro-America’ Areas of the Country .

The Wall Street Journal's old-style Republican Peggy Noonan(not someone known to drop her "g's") replies "Palin's Failin'"

But none of this is class warfare:-)

It's making it so much easier for me to vote for Obama though, as they say, his resume is slim.

The question still is, will they dig up Osama in time for the election?

_{"The mythical John McCain is an affable, straight-talking, moderately conservative war hero who is an expert on foreign policy" - Bob Herbert}

nymole October 17, 2008 - 3:52pm

No, it wouldn't have mattered

from the perspective of what Joe being a Keating relative actually meant, nor particularly from the POV of him being a plant (unlikely) etc etc.

What would have mattered (a lot) is if McCain had completely altered his final debate strategy at the last minute to use Joe as a gotcha 26 times - without realizing Joe was connected to Keating, his political albatross.

"The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential."

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Escher Sketch October 17, 2008 - 4:38pm

Nope, looks like a false alarm.

( ... Link ... )

"The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential."

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Escher Sketch October 17, 2008 - 4:30pm

Without a plumber's license

isn't Joe a moonlighter that does repairs without qualifications? Whom do you trust, a plumber with a license or someone working out of their car who may or may not be able to do the job?

Yes, there are many, many good workmen who lack paper to substantiate their qualifications, but why would anyone take the chance unless they didn't have the bucks to get the job done correctly?

Seems McCain has a vetting problem--this is the second time 'round that he picked someone without qualifications to do the job.

According to the Toledo Blade, Joe the Plumber, didn't serve any apprenticeship time and has NO qualifications in the State of Ohio. Was he a plant in the audience? Question: How could someone buy a plumbing business that makes over $200,000 when they don't even have a license to be the tradesman they claim they are?

canuck October 17, 2008 - 8:47am

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