Politics Blog
Return to politics section
politics, opinion, humor

(Jake Turcotte)

Joe the Plumber trashes McCain in new book

By Jimmy Orr | 12.10.08

Hey, Joe the Plumber is back.  And just like Bruce Willis — with a vengeance.

You remember Joe the Plumber, aka: Joe Wurzelbacher, the unlicensed plumber who John McCain used as a prop in the waning days of his campaign.

New book

Well, he’s got a book out (who doesn’t?).  And in the fine tradition of Scott McClellan, he’s biting the hand that fed him.  Or perhaps snarking down the whole arm.  We don’t know.  The book’s not quite out yet. He’s just promoting it.

So he went on Glenn Beck’s radio program yesterday to discuss “Fighting for the American Dream”.  What can we expect?  The vaunted “inside look” at the campaign.  Why?  Because, according to Joe, he’s smarter than most.

“I like to think I’m a little more educated than some out there in politics just because it is interesting to me,” he said.

Hard to argue with that one.   There are very few other people interested in politics so it should be enlightening.

Campaign life

How’d he like the campaign?

“I honestly felt more dirty after I was on the campaign trail and saw some things that took place,” Wurzelbacher said.

Like what?

He really doesn’t say.  He was doing the “promote-a-book” thing where you tease someone with enticing parts of an expose’ to get you to buy the book (which is out later this month).

The problem is, he didn’t really have anything enticing to say.

Dead air

So Beck pushed him on it: “Tell me something about John McCain that I don’t know.”

Radio silence.  Followed by a lot of “uhhhh, ummmm, uhhhhh, well, uhhhhhhh…..”

Bailout

Finally, he came up with the bailout.  Yeah, that’s the ticket.  The bailout.

“When I was on the bus with him, I asked him a lot of questions about the bailout because most Americans didn’t want it to happen - yet he voted for it,” he said.  “At the same time he’s talking about making someone famous if they even think about putting pork in the bill.  We all know how much pork was in the $700 billion bailout package.  Why did he vote for it?”

“I asked him pretty direct questions, and some of the answers you guys are going to receive … they appalled me,” he said apparently alluding to the promise that his book will be a tell-all.  “I was angry.  I wanted to get off the bus after I talked to him.”

Why didn’t he?

“Because the thought of Barack Obama scared me even more,” he said.

Hmmmm…. OK, Joe.  We’ll see if your strategy of throwing Senator McCain under the bus works out - even if he didn’t discard you when he could have.

Stand by your man

ABC’s Jake Tapper hit the nail on the head this morning when he reminded us that McCain stood by Wurzelbacher even when the faux plumber astoundingly began dispensing foreign policy advice.

Let us recall that McCain stood by Wurzelbacher even after he agreed that a vote for Barack Obama is a vote for the “death of Israel,” prompting Fox News’ Shep Smith to say of Wurzelbacher, “it just gets frightening sometimes.”

(Thanks to Tapper as well for inspiring our own Jake (Turcotte) to draw up the Caesar cartoon above).

Here’s the radio interview:

<< Efforts to sell Obama’s Senate seat part of a “political corruption crime spree” | Main

Comments

1. The hammer | 12.10.08

Joe the Plumber is an idiot fool, nobody, hill-billy, white trash. What does he have to say, dumb uneducated peice of trash.

2. Steve Bonser | 12.10.08

So the dumbing down of America continues unabated. What many fine citizens here in the U.S. don’t realize is that with every wingnut Joe The Plumber, Sarah Palin and Ann Coulter observation, the rest of the world stands in utter awe of our ignorance and then bursts into laughter. As they say, “empires are wasted on all the wrong people”.

3. Stephen | 12.10.08

I, for one, will not be wasting any money on this piece of garbage. How pathetic.

4. DH | 12.10.08

Are you a licensed journalist? Don’t need a license to be one? Neither does Joe to be a plumber. Try being intellectually honest.

5. AgentLemon | 12.10.08

I just wish conservatives, and the media in general would finally figure out that this man knows absolutely nothing and should really just go back to doing whatever he does. there is no need for this clown to be on tv or in print like anything that he sais matters. the same goes for sarah palin imho.

6. Bill | 12.10.08

Does anyone really give a s… about Joe the Plumber anymore? Or did anyone other than Sarah Palin ever really care?

7. dorothy Hackney | 12.10.08

this man is ignorant…

8. Chris | 12.10.08

Good - Joe Plumber as a turncoat may give the Rovepublican Whiners another target besides the guy who’s working to clean up their Boys’ mess. As Bugs Bunny would say, “What a bunch of maroons”…

9. Robert | 12.10.08

Here it is Joe is full-of it. He told the everyone that he even didnt want to speak to obama and then he was on to Fox and then on the campain with John and now he is selling books He should be studying for his plumbing test I bet if he tried to pass it today we would see the real Joe

10. Salohcin,L | 12.10.08

Perhaps joe should have gotten off the bus. This tax dodging opportunist owes all of his short lived fame ( including his book deal with a publishing firm stupid enough to print his book) to McCain. So much for loyalty.

11. EyesWideOpen | 12.10.08

Its really embarrassing to hear people like this guy or Sarah Palin talk.

Do we still value education in this country or are we just a bunch of doomed idiots.

12. Mike | 12.10.08

tick tick tick tick DING! Joe, your fifteen minutes are up. You can resume hitting your boss up to sell his business now.

13. Bernard | 12.10.08

Uneducated, is he, “Hammer”? You’ve spelled “piece” incorrectly.

14. Kitt | 12.10.08

Who ghost wrote this book for him? I guarantee that this guy did not write an entire book on his own.

15. Dayana Martinez | 12.10.08

Joe Wurzelbacher is simply telling the truth. John McCain lost the election the moment he bought into the Wall Street bailout.

If McCain had stood against the Bailout, he would have clearly distinguished himself from Obama and the congressional Democrats as well as Bush who was their ally on this socialist fiasco.

Now with Obama headed to the White House and Congress socializing the auto industry, there’s no-telling what else the government will take over. Soon we’ll have Soviet-style “Five Year Economic Plans” to completely destroy our freedom.

Since Socialism has never worked anywhere, a backlash will inevitably come, either in 2010 or 2012. Then people will wish they listened to people like Joe. When that happens, Wurzelbacher will make a great congressman!

16. midwestmidwife | 12.10.08

Ah, Joe say it ain’t so…a book, well now…I will be dutifully advising my community library not to waste our acquisition money. Just wait for it on the friends of the library book sale shelf, or better yet, the thrift store book bin!

17. Madison | 12.10.08

DO NOT GIVE ANY MORE TIME OR ENERGY TO THESE TWO KNUCKLE HEADS!! JOE & SARAH ARE BOTH BOGUS! THEY HAVE THE PERSONALITY AND INTELLIGENCE OF A TREE STUMP.
THEY ARE INSULTING THE AVERAGE AMERICAN CITIZEN BY STATING THEY REPRESENTED THE AVERAGE AMERICAN. NO….NO…NO….NO…NO….NO THEY DO NOT THANK THE GOOD LORD. THEY ARE IDIOTS!! GO AWAY

18. Tigerlily | 12.10.08

Maybe Fox News will pay him for an interview. They have just about the right mentality plus, if what I’ve heard is true, Fox hasn’t received the message that the election has taken place already.

19. Aaron | 12.10.08

Joe is trying to make money. He has a unique fame that won’t last for much longer, so he is trying to capitalize on it now. Is he an idiot? - yes. Does he have anything important to say? - no. Will he make money off this book? - yes.

I would do the same thing. McCain used him as a campaign tool, you can hardly fault him for trying to get something of his own out of the deal. Just don’t buy the book. :)

20. Geno | 12.10.08

In agreement with most of the comments here, I feel that we should not put up with this kind of media. There are more important stories to cover in politics, such as our economy and where America stands in the world. The more attention we give these types of individuals the more of a voice they have. However, listening to this radio interview, Joe the Plumber does not have much of anything to say. Which reflects the content in his “book”.

21. Stan Levi | 12.10.08

BREAKING NEWS! There’s a moron amidst the Republican Party. Very intriguing. From pedophilia to mass corruption. The Republican Party is a disgrace to this country.

22. gavagai | 12.10.08

Car crashed, train wrecks, and Joe the Plumber: different genre, same point. Entertainment. The more ridiculous the better. His is the genre of political ass-clown. When he stops being this ass-clown he stops getting air time.

23. Clinton Bracket | 12.10.08

Please, what’s with the hatred from those on the winning side? Please don’t speak of the stupidity of the prototypical Republican voter, while Obama voters are clueless. I saw democrat voters interviewed, and their lack of cursory knowledge of current events is appalling. i see them interviewed weekly on Leno during his “jaywalking” episodes and their grasp of elementary facts is hysterically non-existent.

24. geekamongus | 12.10.08

To me, Joe The Plumber signified the beginning of the end to the McCain campaign’s demise, so I can’t be that mad at him.

25. sigh | 12.10.08

“Joe the Plumber is an idiot fool, nobody, hill-billy, white trash. What does he have to say, dumb uneducated peice of trash.”

This is a well-written response from “The Hammer.” If you’re intending to insult somebody, please be sure to use proper grammar and spelling. This is exactly what is wrong with America today. The dumb are leading the uneducated down the primrose path to ****. To think that you are a registered voter is even more horrifying. I think that you should keep your voting limited to American Idol, and perhaps leave the political commentary to those who are able to express their opinions in a more professional manner.

26. Amazed | 12.10.08

So the guy can’t be bothered to actually put the effort into obtaining a plumbing license, but he somehow had the smarts, entrepreneurial spirit and drive to write a book in just 6 weeks. Wow! That’s amazing!

27. Doug Reed | 12.10.08

He’s not that dumb .. He’s smart enough to know that he could take his 15 minutes of fame and turn it into a book deal, that even if it sells poorly could make him a million or so.

28. Tommy | 12.10.08

And the way you all look at Joe Plumber, that is the way your government looks at you.

29. MaggieL | 12.10.08

Dunno, Hammer…maybe he knows “I before E, except after C”.

30. Rick | 12.10.08

Everyones trashing Joe. Maybe our government is the problem. Obama, Mccain, Bush, Clinton. Its getting ugly out there. We are falling apart rapidly. i pray Obama’s not connected to the fallen Governor. It will just make us fall deeper into disarray

31. AmericansAreSmarter | 12.10.08

What is the probability that a quantum particle tunnels through a potential barrier of length a if its kinetic energy is equal to the height of the well?

32. J.Jay | 12.10.08

What really pity is, All republicans Educated and high school dropouts (like Joe the plumber) a like believes that Sarah Palin actually has skills to govern this country to success.

33. Patzilla | 12.10.08

We’ll never get out of this park.

34. Tony | 12.10.08

It was believed by quite a lot of Republicans (including me) that “Plumber Joe” was not supposed to be the issue. The issue was the question that he asked, and the forthcoming answer. If that was the case, why the book? Why the tour? Why any attention? McCain would have been better to have a placard with the question and answer on it. It eats less, smells better, and doesn’t write unnecessary books.

35. philko | 12.10.08

Hey CSM:
Please dig into who is “assisting” Joe with the writing chores on this book. He might be providing most of the anecdotes, but I doubt that he’s putting pen to paper himself.
Find out the ghostwriter and maybe we’ll find out whose pawn Joe is these days. From other snippets of the interview I’ve heard, I’ll bet it’s the pro-Palin camp.
Seriously: The decision *to* write the book was undoubtedly a financial one by all parties, but the decision on which ghostwriter to hire (as well as the editorial slant) was sure as heck made by someone further up the food chain than Joe or his editor.

36. Joe the Plumber | 12.10.08

typo: $700 billion, not $700 million.

37. Mike N | 12.10.08

Joe the plumber is not a plumber, not an intellect and unfortunately all too common in America. Uneducated, ignorant, bigoted and opinionated. Why do our press and publishers even give this idiot the time of day? He’s dangerous!

38. Kathy | 12.10.08

To: EyesWideOpen

well…considering that the next President of the United States was quoted as saying, “I have visited 57 of the United States and have only one more state to go”, I’d say we probably are doomed idiots.

When Barack Obama doesn’t even know how many states make up the United States, and people actually voted for this guy, I’d say that America is made up of 67 million idiots to be exact.

39. joe | 12.10.08

joe is a great plumber and model american. plus hes real smart

40. and the beat goes on | 12.10.08

You gotta know it also took some yutz to invite old Joe to “write a book” in the first place! Give me a break……it’s stuff like this that makes me think we get just what we deserve sometimes. I just read “amazed”’s comment…hmmm great minds think alike, maybe we should write a book?

41. Li Tai Fang | 12.10.08

What qualification does this unlicensed plumber have on global economy and national policy?

42. Ignoramo | 12.10.08

Joe the Plumber? Joe the Dumber! This guy epitomizes today’s conservatism. It’s virulently anti-illectual populism. It’s moral absolutism and religious fundamentalism (I don’t know what Joe’s religious beliefs are, but I’m confident he’d bluster about being willing to “die for ‘em!” if pressed). The only one worse is Sarah Palin. She’s just George W. in high heels and lipstick. But Mr. “Straight Talk” McCain got what he deserved. His whole campaign was a contemptuous gambit of deception. He focused on earmarks despite the fact that they’re such a small cost they have no leverage. And the earmarks he chose to parade? Supposedly useless bear DNA studies that he suggests are for a paternity suit, when in fact they were used to help determine if Grizzlies need protection under the endangered species act. Protection from EXTINCTION, you dumb a$$! And three million for an “overhead projector,” suggesting incredible waste. But it wasn’t an overhead projector, it was a PLANATARIUM PROJECTOR! Hello? Mr. Straight Talk? You lost, because you’re a loser.

43. dlcrocket | 12.10.08

Wow. What a bunch of haters.

44. gerald Bryant | 12.10.08

Joe the Plumber, after his experience with John McCain, probably feels ” dirty and used”

45. dumb and dumber | 12.10.08

The description of any who would buy this guys book!

46. Dan | 12.10.08

“5. Bill | 12.10.08

Does anyone really give a s… about Joe the Plumber anymore?”

Interesting question considering you’re commenting on an article entitled “Joe the Plumber Trashes McCain…”. Idiot or not, Joe’s making money because of our continued “interest”. Don’t think I’ll be helping him out by buying his book though.

47. Mark | 12.10.08

Joe says, “I like to think I’m a little more educated than some out there in politics just because it is interesting to me.”

This is insightful. It speaks volumes of Joe’s friends. In Joe-Land, people don’t find politics interesting. He’s the Smart Guy. The one with all the opinions at the Sports Bar. It speaks volumes of Joe’s ability to parse the realities of his small world with the rest of it.

48. Don | 12.10.08

Dumb and dumber. The description of any who would buy this guys book.

49. Steven Danis | 12.10.08

Does this mean that Mr. Wurzelbacher, aka Joe the Plumber, will never be asked to fix the plumbing in any of Senator McCain’s numerous homes? It’s a farcical ending to what was always a laughable story. The Republicans in the closing days of the campaign used the Joe the Plumber story as their number one talking point. The electorate was supposed to be stirred up by the story of the ambitious working guy who feared paying more taxes if he were to buy his own business. The real story all along was that Joe the Plumber could not make it financially on 40,000 a year supporting himself and one son by a failed marriage, and that the chance he would be so successful running a two man plumbing business in Toldedo, Ohio that he would be hit hard by higher taxes on the more affluent was a sick joke.

50. volunteer | 12.10.08

J.Jay

Exactly what background does Obama have for running a country - of course I am referring to “legal” background ?

51. Florence Inderlied | 12.10.08

If Joe, the plumber is simply a stupid neer do well opportunist (and he Is) what does that say for John McCain??? Why does he latch on to such inept charactors like “Joe, the plumber” and “Caribou Barbie????? This man could have had someone like Mitt Romney as a running mate and not made a joke out of a campaign!!!

52. Kevin H | 12.10.08

Wish Joe the Plumber would shove that plunger in his mouth.

53. lg | 12.10.08

Well joe leave it alone you ain’t got what it takes QUIT WHILE YOU ARE AHEAD

54. MikeM | 12.10.08

Wow….

Somebody call John McCain and thank him for unleashing Sarah Palin and Joe “Not Really a Plumber” on the American public. I believe anyone who reads or listens to any of thier garbage will truly be dumber for doing so.

55. breeze555 | 12.10.08

Wow… I think him and Sara need to hook up. Can you say “The perfect couple”? Couple of morons, that is…

56. Joe The Sucker | 12.10.08

I see this in my crystal ball right now.
1. Joe the plumber’s book becomes new york best seller.
2. Joe the plumber is now Mr.Wurzelbacher the millionnaire.
3. Sara the dumber leaves the first dude due to irerconcilable differences.
4. Mr.Wurzelbacher moves to Alaska.
5. The big fat Alaska wedding with Moose Sausages and Harp
Seal Steak dinners.
6. Wurzelbacher/Palin 2012

57. Concerned Citizen | 12.10.08

Asking people like the plumber to be articulate is the same as asking people like, well….GW BUSH to be articulate! If the “leader of the Free World” can be a mediocrity like the person we Americans “put” into the White House for the past 8 years, why all the outrage against this “plumber”? Those other “plumbers” from the Nixon era were far more injurious to our democracy than THIS guy. He’s just trying to capitalize on his notoriety. At LEAST the guy has THAT much intelligence (not much MORE, though, I fear). Certainly, I will NOT buy the “book”. The fat cats at the top of our pyramid society have done FAR more harm to us AND the world than a million guys like Joe the Plumber! He’s “small potatoes”, as the saying goes.

58. Almighty | 12.10.08

14. Dayana Martinez | 12.10.08

Now with Obama headed to the White House and Congress socializing the auto industry, there’s no-telling what else the government will take over. Soon we’ll have Soviet-style “Five Year Economic Plans” to completely destroy our freedom.
————————————————————————-

Socialism for whom, the people or corporations? Lately it’s more along the lines of socialism for corporations.

59. mateocafe | 12.10.08

Let’s be honest, Joe the Dumber may be the only one who succeeds from the McCain campaign!

I wonder if his book proceeds will go toward buying himself that plumbing business? HAHAHAHAHA!

sigh.

60. bill | 12.10.08

Christian Science Monitor

Why in your so called news story’s are you always giving scumbags a platform?

McCain and Obama are both decent people, instead of supporting our county with news stories that might help in tough times, your writers write story’s that are right down their with the national inquirer.

61. Joe-the-plumber | 12.10.08

Educated or not…….I’m just capitalizing on the opportunity that came knocking on my door when McCain brought me up in the heat of the campaign for his own benefit. I’m just trying to make the most of it, and guess what - I’m doing pretty good. TV shows, radio shows, and a book deal…… sweet.

That makes me a very smart person. I know you guys are all mad at me, but that’s good for me. The more ticked off you are, the better it is for me. Please continue talking about me the way you guys want, I simply don’t give a s….

JtP

62. Joe the Plumber | 12.10.08

Educated or not…….I’m just capitalizing on the opportunity that came knocking on my door when McCain brought me up in the heat of the campaign for his own benefit. I’m just trying to make the most of it, and guess what - I’m doing pretty good. TV shows, radio shows, and a book deal…… sweet.

That makes me a very smart person. I know you guys are all mad at me, but that’s good for me. The more ticked off you are, the better it is for me. Please continue talking about me the way you guys want, I simply don’t give a s….

63. Larry The Lighter | 12.10.08

Dollar to a donut the foreward will be written by Mrs. Palin. At least next time she’s asked what she reads she’ll have an answer.

64. Otis | 12.10.08

When Joe pays his taxes he can speak. Otherwise shut up. How can this guy buy a business when he can’t even keep up on his property taxes? He also needs to get a license if wants to be called a “Plumber”. I also question his Christian values seeing he is divorced. Did McCain pay off his tax bill?

65. tom | 12.10.08

“Sarah Palin is absolutely the real deal”
Joe and Sarah in 2012?
The GOP needs people like them like I need cancer.

66. malanga | 12.10.08

you enlighted winnut leftist should be outraged about his privacy being invaded for political reasons…

67. morethanmeetsthei | 12.10.08

i have to laugh…”I pray obama is not connected to the fallen Governor”.

of course he isn’t. illinois has no corruption; it’s those cowardly GOP federal prosecutors who are trying to railroad the new administration. and joe-the-plumber…why, i heard he buys his underwear at walmart so he can do his part to support the chinese economy…bad joe, helping the chinese. oh and sarah palin played wonder woman in her high-school play…so now she claims she can fly. stupid sarah; everyone knows only superman can fly

when are all of you going to wise up? obama == mccain == the governor. their job is to keep the government going

68. Will | 12.10.08

“And in the fine tradition of Scott McClellan, he’s biting the hand that fed him”……..

Say WHAT?

Had McCain won, he would have owed Joe PLENTY.

What does Joe owe McCain?

McCain didn’t “make” Joe the plumber. He struck chord with the public by asking 0bama an honest question that caused 0bama to stumble.

McCain leveraged that to try and make his own point.

McCain promoted Joe for his own purposes, Joe owes him NOTHING.

Even now, in this very article, he author continues to smear Joe. He is referred to as an “unlicensed plumber” when having a plumbing license is irrelevant and unnecessary. That’s like calling Tom Brokaw an “unlicensed broadcaster” because he doesn’t have an FCC license.

Joe didn’t go looking for fame, he simply asked a question when given the opportunity to do so. For having the temerity of unwittingly unmasking 0bama for the socialist that he is, Joe got the Gestapo treatment from Ohio Democrat run government and was trashed by the media AND Biden and 0bama themselves.

The treatment of Joe should send a shiver down the spine of every freedom loving private citizen because it is clear that any detractors will be dealt with using the full force of the politburo in 0bama’s America.

Do you want an America where people are frightened to question their leaders?

69. Jean Walters | 12.10.08

Why in the world are you blaming Obama, Dayana Martinez? Bush is still the President and all this is his doing. Wake up!

70. Cinder | 12.10.08

Joe who? Election’s over guys. No one cares about some 15 minutes has-been who was nothing more than an ugly stage prop. I won’t blame anyone for trying to squeeze a dime out of a penny, but in this case, let’s not participate in the alchemy. I say let the man crawl back into Pandora’s box of stupid things that should have never been freed upon the world.

71. Mike | 12.10.08

Wow!

Sarah is a looser and so was McCain. Good ole Joe The Plumber just added more dung to the already high republican heap. Its stinks pretty bad as it is, but with McCain using Joe, well, lets say just for the heck of it, it stunk even worse.

Now, to make matters worse, Joe is writing a book? I doubt he’s even using any of his own thoughts let alone actually doing the writing.

I also wish you right wing conservative christians would find a new home, preferably on the moon. Just do me one favor after you get there, open the air lock after you’ve de-suited. That way, you can take McCain, Joe and Sarah and whoever else you want up there and the rest of us will be rid of your stinking carasses.

72. danchuckles | 12.10.08

Joe the plumber for IL Governor!!! As a plumber he has experience cleaning these types of things up.

His book is a must-read for me. The victim of an ordinary name and an ordinary job in a perfect storm of good luck catapulted to international notariety. How would anyone not want to hear what he has to say?

Maybe these book earnings will actually bring him into that upper tax bracket he was so concerned about. Life is so tough for ordinary Americans making $250k/year. Dang. Should have been a plumber.

73. Joe The Plumber | 12.10.08

Is it far fetched to assume that under McCains presidency Joe the plumber today would have been Secretary of Defense?

Sarah Palin - VP.
Joe The Plumber - Defense Secretary.
Rupert Jee the delli man – White House Economic Adviser
Energy Czar – Got to be Palin’s husband. He works on Oil Rigs, and won Snow Mobile Races.
Position left are White House Chief of Staff?

74. sillylibs | 12.10.08

Its funny how you libs claim to be compassionate to everyone, but when someone disagrees with your socialist agenda’s they are dumb, bigots, ignorant, and uneducated. Silly libs, so hypocritical.

75. Optimistic ONE | 12.10.08

So… He paid IRS for the taxes he owed and purchased the business from his boss right?? Now all he has to do is get his license (which I’m sure is not a problem for an intelligent young man like him) and figure out a way to keep ALL HIS employees working and INSURED. Apparently, he was right about his concerns over the tax increase since the pluming business will net way over 250K and the book will sell millions of copies worldwide!! Right….. Right???

76. Al | 12.10.08

Patience. You can tell the Republicans totally came up to him after he got “famous” and offered him a sum of money to go out and promote their agenda. Since he’s just a workingman plumber or whatever, he really needed the money and took it. They probably hoped people would embrace him as some sort of everyman who speaks the truth. In March at the latest, people will have forgotten all about him.

77. Shauna | 12.10.08

OK, I’m not a McCain fan at all and campaigned for Obama, but seriously? Joe the Plumber had his 15 minutes of fame. Time to go back to shoveling ****…

78. Bozz | 12.10.08

Joe the Dumber Plumber needs to be FLUSHED!

79. Jay | 12.10.08

62. Will -
“Joe didn’t go looking for fame…”
*** are you smoking?

80. Mike the Tree Surgeon | 12.10.08

I can’t wait to rush out and spend my hard earned money on Joe the plumber’s book because Joe is so much smarter than me and the rest of America, as he pointed out.
I really can’t live without Joe’s words of wisdom.
Where can I buy the book?
This story IS satire, right?

81. Dawn | 12.10.08

Wow… in a country that believes all people should have a voice… you all trash someone when they use it. You may agree or disagree with the politics of Joe the plumber but try… real, real hard to act like an American please. One that still values freedom of speech and believes that everyone should have the opportunity to say something if they have the opportunity to.

82. vs | 12.10.08

joe, perfect cast member for idiocracy movie … as part of the idiots …

83. GatorTony | 12.10.08

I for one think Joe is a good guy. He seems like he knows what he’s talking about with politics and such. You go Joe!!

84. Michael | 12.10.08

To “Kathy”…….

I forgot that you’re perfect right?…..you voted for Bush obviously,(your bitterness for Barack’s crushing victory over McCain shines through like a shiny new penny) so we can all thank you, in part, for the current condition of the union. I guess you can pile yourself into the pile of idiots.

85. blip | 12.10.08

Like Sarah Palin, he’s a little rough around the edges, but I think he’s an ideal Republican candidate:

Ignorant and proud of it. He’s a plumber who really isn’t a plumber. A welfare queen who hates socialism. He sucks up to McCain as a way to get a leg up in this horrible Republican economy, and then throws him under the bus when he’s done. He doesn’t seem to have any beliefs, but he is loyal to the Republican brand, whatever that is.

He’s like a pitbull without the lipstick… or is it a hockey mom with testosterone… who doesn’t know why he’s cheering, but he’s gonna cheer for his team, even if he cannot remember what their jersey’s look like. And, while he’s all riled up, he’s gonna maul other pitbulls, hockey fans, toddlers, even his owners.

A perfect pair: Palin/Plumber 2012. Wrong but Strong!

Bizarre.

86. D. Grant Haynes | 12.10.08

Joe the plumber must have a prolific ghostwriter on board.

Otherwise, the ignoramus could never have produced more than an itemized drain cleaning statement since his abortive moment before the cameras last October.

D. Grant Haynes

87. PoliticalGenius | 12.10.08

Joe the Plumber is extremely ignorant and foolish. First of all, John McCain stood by him when Joe was outed about being an unlicensed plumber. Now to say that he, meaning Joe, is going to trash the man who made it possible for him to write this horrible trash he calls a book, is absolutely ridiculous. Now I am no supporter of McCain but I find it unfair that Plunger Boy is going to smear his name when he has no idea what he is even talking about. America. Full of corporate greed and hardship. I’m afraid that Joe the Plumber and Joe Six-Pack are the same, Sarah Palin.

88. Republican’t | 12.10.08

The editorials on this site are so enlightening. You all are so smart, it just makes me feel unworthy.

89. Jim | 12.10.08

How exactly does he correlate these two statements?

“I like to think I’m a little more educated than some out there in politics just because it is interesting to me.”
“I honestly felt more dirty after I was on the campaign trail and saw some things that took place.”

He feels he is ‘more educated’ than some yet he felt ‘dirty after I was on the campaign trail’. What did he think it was going to be like, a family trip to Cedar Point?

If anything he’s a ‘little less educated than some’. Perhaps he needs to get back to work and support his family and get his license.

90. X | 12.10.08

Joe the Plumber is a true American patriot. He has the good sense to call it how he sees it. It is hard to disagree that McCain always was Socialism Lite. Maybe many of you don’t see it yet, but we are in the middle of a cold civil war. Governing has always has been a question of individualism vs. collectivism. Right now, there is a large portion of individualists who think that the time is ripe for liberty. Joe the Plumber is twice the character of most the commentators here.

91. Comment-man | 12.10.08

Joe ‘the product’ feels dirty after receiving his gold pieces.

92. Luke | 12.10.08

I believe I read somewhere who was publishing the book for “Joe the plumber”. It is not a regular publishing company. It is an extreme right wing propaganda organization. They publish trashy books that promote their agenda to give the appearance of credibility. After they publish, they can then “buy” a large number of copies so that the book will make some best seller lists. Then “Joe” can make the rounds on right wing talk radio as a grass roots sensation and rile up the people who are eager to hear someone say what they want to hear.

Manufactured popularity and success to help create a manufactured populism.

Besides, Joe is the kind of guy you’d like to have a beer with.

93. Tax the Rich | 12.10.08

People, people, people…Joe is just trying to prove himself correct. When he talked to Obama, he was worried that Obama was going to raise his taxes. This will only happen if he’s making more than $250K. Now with a book deal, he just might!

94. matt | 12.10.08

“We’re set up, unlike other states in the union, where it’s collectively Alaskans own the resources. So we share in the wealth when the development of these resources occurs.”

- Sarah Palin, 2008. taken from an interview the New Yorker magazine.

95. fojeba | 12.10.08

Joe book is a total waste of paper , trees,further destruction of our planet

96. clover | 12.10.08

Steve Bonser, you are hilarious. I would subscribe to your newsletter. “empires are wasted on all the wrong people”. I couldn’t agree more. Too funny. I’m glad there’s still a few of us who weathered the Bush administration with a sense of humor, or at least some semblance of one.

97. Dawn | 12.10.08

Editing my own words here:

Comment #75 should have ended with “everyone should have the right to say something if they have the opportunity to.”

98. J.Jay | 12.10.08

volunteer, The point is when she can not answer the head of Pakistani state on his sexist remarks about her looks or defend herself from those sexist remarks, She doesn’t have capability to do anything in international community let alone leading this country. A person who still supports Iraq war even knowing 70% of the country is against it shows the lack of judgment. Her interview may have made a good TV or they may have edited it to make it good TV but her interviews after elections showed how unintellectual educated fool she is. Fear the day she gets elected to the white house.

99. Bob | 12.10.08

The new bumper sticker….

Don’t blame me, I voted for Ron Paul!

100. Bob | 12.10.08

It just show what type of people comes out of Illinois liar and thief, just look at Obama. He lied about his birth place and He stole the white house. since we no longer follow the US constitution (natural born) might as well abolish the constitution.

101. Craig the disabled Vet | 12.10.08

LOL! It is truly amazing as well as outrageously amusing (the majority rate a good belly laugh) to read these comments. You talk about narrow mindedness along with almost a total blindness to what is commonly termed “common sense reality”. It is so evident that the majority have only the ability to look at one side of a box and take it as gospel. It honestly makes me laugh so hard at times - sorry folks, can’t help reading what the trained monkeys have to say day to day.

102. Joe W. | 12.10.08

Palin/Wurzelbacher 2012!

103. Kevin | 12.10.08

Um, Dayana, you seem to have confused the term “Socialism” with “Communism”. The two are very different forms of government. My high school daughters know the difference and learned that in school. The Soviet Union was “Communist”, where the government owned all industry. To say “Solcialism doesn’t work” is a pretty ignorant statement. Just ask the Swedes and Danes, among other European “socialist” countries who have very strong economies, a huge healthy middle class, and in studies on contentment and quality of life rate among the very top countries in the world, way above the United States.

We actually do have “soclialism” in the US and have for a very long time. We have socialized police departments, socialized fire departments, socialized roads and bridges, etc. Are you not in favor of these? Aren’t these things that society pays for, as a group, for the common good? Are you prepared to do without the police, fire department, and roads and bridges? Do you think we would be better off without them? If not, then you are at pleast partially a “Socialist” yourself, by definition.

I really hate when people throw labels like that around as if it’s a bad word. Wake up. Try not to see the world as completely black and white. Try to stay away from ideology. Ideology and labels are for people who want a shortcut and prefer not to have to think. Dummies like Joe the Plumber.

104. mikel | 12.10.08

This is America! As Americans we CAN make socialism work here…we are exceptional people in an exceptional country capable of doing the exceptional!

105. CBL | 12.10.08

Joe the Plumber, a book publisher even though he isn’t even qualified to clean up his own

106. Joe the American | 12.10.08

And now ladies and gentlemen, here fantasy interview that you will never hear:

Q: So Joe, why did you write this book?
A: Well, since my plumbing job isn’t doing so well, I decided to make money
by trying to sell my book which is basically written by someone else…I
just put my name on the cover.
Q: Ok, fair enough. Why should America listen to you?
A: Well, I’m a plumber! I represent the blue collar worker!
Q: But Joe, you’re not even licensed, your name really isn’t Joe, and you
owe back taxes.
A: See, I represent America! Next Question!
Q: I don’t think your book will sell.
A: Commie! Liberal! Obama Lover!
Q: Now let’s not name call. I meant your book is probably full of fluff,
inaccuracies, personal bluster, and self serving.
A: Ok, so what’s your point?

Joe the Plumber pats himself on the back as he leave, congratulating himself
as a true American who really knows what he is talking about.

107. kyle | 12.10.08

GOOOD JOB CS-Monitor! You have managed to bring out all the hate in your readers. Reading such comments calling Joe the Plumber “white trash” or “Joe the Dumber”. Society is built on the backs of these kinds of workers, yet you people turn up your nose and spit at them. Are al your readers so hateful? Why bash someone because they practice plumbing without a license? There are all kinds of people in jobs who are just as capable that dont have a license. Why get a degree in business if i already have a knack for it and are successful ? Stop the hate!!!!

108. Casey | 12.10.08

I can’t wait till the sequel comes out: “How to Make MORE than $250,000 a Year as an Unlicensed Plumber”

109. Obama | 12.10.08

Joe I am going to need some money from that book deal that we talked about, see I had a deal going on for my old job that fell through now I need the money to buy a dog for my kids. All of the comments sound just as LOL as this one. You can be a plummer and work under someone’s license that being said after the election where do you think he could get work? writing a book if offered by who cares will pay the bill’s. I would bet that most of the people like me who commented on this don’t know him personally, yet they seem to know every thing else so they assume allot about Joe.

110. jack | 12.10.08

socialism leads to dictatorships. see Hitler, or Castro. Socialism takes away your rights

111. Thinkingman | 12.10.08

Joe the plumber thinks he knows politics but he was uninformed. He was completely unaware of who’s tax policy would actually benefit him (Obama’s). Joe’s time is up. If I get his book for Christmas I will return it unread. Too many great books out there to read one written by an ignoramus.

Look that word up in your Funk & Wagnall Mr. Joe!

Smear Joe? He’s the one claiming that he’s a good, smart guy. Turns out it’s not so. The journalists are just doing their job. Keeping it honest.

112. Frank Maroon | 12.10.08

To the comment above by Dayana Martinez that “Socialism has never worked anywhere”, let me give you a few examples from inside the US:
Social security
Medicare / Medicaid
the Public library system
the Public educational system

And, outside the US, most of the countries in Europe have substantial socialist programs, and they’re doing just fine, including:
Great Britain
France
Spain
Denmark
Sweden
Norway
and on and on…

As an American who’s lived in several socialist countries in Europe, I can say unequivocally that controlled socialism DOES work, it has NOTHING to do with freedom, and everything to do with trying to take care of the lowest members of society. The truly intelligent recognize that caring for the poor actually improves the lives of everyone else - there are less of the social problems that plague us in the US, particularly crime.

And for the last time, socialism IS NOT COMMUNISM.

113. Compass | 12.10.08

1) A broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating state or collective ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and an egalitarian society characterized by equal opportunities for all individuals.

This is the definition of socialism. I think a lot of people in the US confuse it with this: a concept used to describe political systems where a state regulates nearly every aspect of public and private life.
That’s Totalitarianism.

2) We are currently in the worst position of our history as a country and perhaps even as a global community. Our problems include worldwide economic crisis, climate change, denial about climate change, wars fought solely for money, lack of empathy towards foreign cultures, racism at home and abroad, oppression for money and religious views… I mean the list goes on. So here’s my advice for all.

Get involved in rebuilding your country and world. Prioritize peace and love over hate, violence, and money. It’s simple. You have the choice.

114. Alan Jacobs | 12.10.08

I need fuel to heat my house…I’m an unemployed mechanical engineer thanks to 8 years of the Republican trickle down economics. I sure cannot donate $14 to Mr. Plumber….nor can most of the country. Maybe the publisher will be willing to give me all the wated paper for fuel.

115. pekopper | 12.10.08

Meathead knows how to write?

116. Sue | 12.10.08

I find it hysterically funny that so many of you leaving comments here are sadly unable to form a sentence with proper punctuation, spelling, or syntax, yet you are calling others illiterate, ignorant, and stupid. Aren’t you embarrassed by your own ignorance?

117. Joseph Wurzbauch | 12.10.08

Joe the Plumber trashes McCain in new book

“Like what?

He really doesn’t say. He was doing the “promote-a-book” thing where you tease someone with enticing parts of an expose’ to get you to buy the book (which is out later this month).”

Huh? You mean like the title of this article isn’t a teaser? What is realy funny is all the Left-wiennies that read the article and then said no one should care. What absolute Nit-Wits. Keep me snickering.

118. Clinton Bracket | 12.10.08

#84 X

Unfortunately, as demonstrated by the comments herein, the majority voted for Zero. The collectivists want ever more things from the government. They are the ones who as children, stood around the playgrounds in groups laughing at the skinny guy in glasses. Now they’ve grown up and are too cowardly to steal their neighbor’s stuff, so they employ a tuff-guy (government) to go steal the neighbor’s things for them. Greedy, covetous, lazy and spiteful, what sad lives they lead.

119. peastew | 12.10.08

Joe the plumber has a new title. Joe the trash man~

120. Cisco D’Witt | 12.10.08

Sounds like Joe is the perfect Republican: “uhhhh, ummmm, uhhhhh, well, uhhhhhhh…..”, followed by stab to the back, wrapped up in a fabricated identity, served on a platform of inflated importance. Sure I’ll read his book. Right after I finish contributing to George Bush’s library (BTW, just how much does a 20 story cowboy boot make from empty beer cans cost?)

121. Sujan | 12.10.08

I don’t think its worth
Giving another book birth,
To exercise a speech free.
What you may have said
When John & you were politically in bed
Is of no interest to me.

122. Sujan | 12.10.08

In the Land of the Free,
What else is there to see
Than the Morons and the Vain?
Joe, you were a gimick
That simply didn’t stick;
Another bad choice by McCain.

123. Quantum Plumber | 12.10.08

AmericansAreSmarter:

If the particle has mass m and energy E, then the transmission probability is 2/(2+m*E*a^2/hbar*2) if I’m not mistaken. As I’m sure Joe knows very well, this is a good reason to start installing thicker-walled pipes in your house, since the value of hbar will doubtless be much higher under the incoming Obama administration.

124. mark | 12.10.08

Speaking as a former hill-billy, I hope the book has pages softer than the Courier-Democrat.

125. paul d. | 12.10.08

jack, you’re a moron. socialism does not take away rights. hitler was a fascist which is a product of the extreme right (see far right of republican party). castro is a communist (product of the extreme left, see far left of democratic party). far left or far right of anything is bad. socialism is practiced by all civilized modern democratic republics except for the united states. humans in the united states are considered work animals and as such are treated like cattle by their corporate masters.

126. Amazed | 12.10.08

I am amazed at how brutal you all are when the guy is just grabbing his 15 minutes of fame and running as far as he can with it. I’d venture to say that most of you would do the same. Pipe down, let the guy have his moment you jackals.

127. ShutterCal | 12.10.08

LOL. Joe the plumber is a fool.

128. chuck | 12.10.08

Palin and Joe the Plumber in 2012 !!

129. clinton Bracket | 12.10.08

#119 Paul D

Hitler was a socialist (NAZI = National Socialist) , Mussolini was the Fascist.

130. Barbara | 12.10.08

Joe knows just enough to get him into trouble. He should have quit while he was ahead.

131. Nick Greek | 12.10.08

Joe is smart he is trying to make money. We, by talking about him, give him value. We should not buy his book and I am sure he won’t write another one and disappear. HE is only around because we give him attention…ha ha

132. sweetwater | 12.10.08

#14 Dayana Martinez, I don’t know if you were trying to be funny, but I’m certainly laughing.

133. GIJoe | 12.10.08

Apparently enough of you care about Joe the Plumber that you read articles titled “Joe the Plumber trashes McCain in new book” and then ironically talk about how noone cares about Joe the Plumber. Why even waste the time to read the article which you do not care about and then complain about it. You could be reading the Constitution right now.

134. clinton Bracket | 12.10.08

#106 Frank

It is true that many European countries embrace socialism. Yet they are free to pursue such policies because they spend relatively nothing defending themselves. Yes, I know France and Britain have substantial defense capability, but Europe, in large part is defended by the American defense umbrella. How peaceful and loving do you believe things would remain in Europe if the US pulled out of NATO? We really have no national interest in involving ourselves in military situations to benefit any country except the US. Sixty years after WW2, we are still deployed in Japan and Germany. I’d support pulling our forces form all forward deployments and voiding all defense treaties with other nations. The American taxpayer should stop paying to allow American leftists to point to the success of socialist Europe, supported by American taxes.

135. cwm | 12.10.08

I agree with Sue. Do you people really know how you sound? Can’t you make a statement about someone without calling them names?

136. Guy Fawkes | 12.10.08

If Joe is a plumber, I’m an astrophysicist. Cleaning toilets is not a primary qualification for being a plumber, nor is tax-dodging. Of course, he has amply demonstrated that his fourth-grade education puts him head-and-shoulders above Alaska’s governor. But then, so does the ability to name the signatory nations to NAFTA.

137. Stan | 12.10.08

I am saddened and ashamed for America that we not only have people like Joe in this country, but that anyone actually pays attention. People with limited intelligence and even more limited imaginations. They can only comprehend simple slogans and spout them back, and never understand the underlying issues.

People like Daytona, who defends Joe, and then spouts off line after line of propoganda never realizing just how unintelligent it is. America is Socializing the auto industry? How is giving them conditional loans Socialism? They are free to not take them. No one is forcing their hand. Also stating that socializing aspects of our economy is somehow killing our freedoms? How does that follow? We have Socialized education, yet we have not hampered freedoms there. Taking away freedoms is what the Bush crowd was doing in the name of security.

Daytona also states that “No Socialism has ever worked anywhere.” What planet do you live on? Or are you mistaking Socialism for something else? Look it up, there are many countries in this world that you would consider “Socialist.” They work very well, thank you. Their people live longer, have fewer children die in infancy, are healthier, are better educated, live longer, and have fewer of their people living in jail. In many respects those “Socialist” countries work much better than ours. Not saying that Socialism is perfect, because I don’t believe that, but I also think it is pretty ignorant to state that Socialism has never worked and never will.

I am so tired of hearing ignorant people defensing other ignorant people like Joe the plumber. The radical right counts on these people, and plays them like a fine tuned guitar. They scheme to make themselves and their friends wealthier, all on the backs of the same people that they keep ignorant. They keep feeding them nice sounding lines, while they take away their freedoms and opportunities. They placate you with your evening TV. You happily slave away never realizing that their may be a better way to live, because you don’t want to know.

138. Harry Balsac | 12.10.08

I have a clog in my sewer trap with more integrity than this fool.

139. RJ | 12.10.08

If I were in his shoes, I would probably milk the opportunity to try and make some easy money as well. Maybe he has something interesting to say, and maybe **** bring something new to the table… but I won’t be reading it. It’s old news, he’s old news, and while he’s fully entitled to his opinions — I think he’s a little off the mark in a couple of areas.

140. Sadie | 12.10.08

I’m appalled at some of you on here and your so-called elite educational standard. Just because Obama has a Harvard degree, you call everyone else dumb. Ever met educated fools? They’re everywhere, including on this forum. They may have degrees, but, no common sense. Obama is a case in point. Everyone trashing Joe the Plumber needs to take a good hard look at your own bigotry and the common man. There are more of them in society than the elitists who support an educated fool for president. Sure, he’s writing a book, and there isn’t one of us who wouldn’t capitalize on the notoriety afforded from this campaign. Obama supporters are doing it, but that’s ok, huh?

Bunch of hypocrites!

141. Srini | 12.10.08

Joe the Plumber is to politics what William Hung was to pop music.

142. Hospitals & Asylums | 12.10.08

And we all thought Joe the Plumber was a fictional character intended to strike fear in the hearts of god fearing capitalist Americans in regards to Joe the Stalin, blood sucking leech to the President elect. Oh well, being the only person with a moral concious in the elections of 2008 comes with its responsibilities. Now our hero, Joe the Plumber, has to help Zimbabweans stop ******** in the well, like the good old days, before HIV/AIDS, can-sir and angina, became the ill will of choice.

143. Bill | 12.10.08

This book can’t come out fast enough. I will buy three copies… One to read over and over, one to give to my daughter to read(and share with friends), and one to put away because I just know it will be a valuable antique one day.

144. Maureen | 12.10.08

I nominate Dayana Martinez (the 14th Comment above) for Village Idiot. She wants Joe the Plumber to run for Congress!! She thinks we’re a socialist country!! She probably thinks Palin is a brilliant intellectual or policy wonk! But wait… then I read on… she’s not alone! There were more just like her…

Scares the **** out of; truly, the Dumbing Down of America is a reality.

145. The Rodentman | 12.10.08

You betcha!

146. dan | 12.10.08

Hey Jimmy,

I am curious how you go about selecting what you feel is the important news of the day to write about. I am so looking forward to the follow-up story. You know, the one where he takes the money from his book sales and buys the plumbing business from his boss.

I also enjoy reading the comments from many of your readers…as they throw their derogatory stones from within their transparent silica structured minds…as they vigorously attempt to distinguish their intelligence from that of the target of their diatribe. It always provides me with a chuckle.

You keep up the good work Jimmy, and I am sure we will start reading your insightful tidbits all over the world…like maybe inside fortune cookies.

147. Jordan | 12.10.08

Why does the media continue to promote this Joe Nobody? What are his credentials to give any of his opinions any credibility? What is wrong with a society where someone of this insignificance gets 15 min of fame to warrent any interest in a book. What is he going to write about? Working in a trade without a license? How not to pay taxes? Why he supports Palin but now not really McCain? Why Obama scares him? Who cares about this Joe’s opinion? The election is over and so is this guy’s fame. The media ought to stop wasting the public’s time with this guy. What is it, a slow news day?

148. patilee | 12.10.08

Uh Joe….your 15 minutes are over. Go away. To those that keep going on and on and on about Joe not having a license…He does not need one. He does not own the shop. His boss has the license. When, if, Joe gets his own shop he will then need a license. Let it go folks. My husband has a contractors license, his employees do not. They do the job, he is responsible for it.

149. Kicker | 12.10.08

Seems that Liberals never tire of hating anyone who expresses an opinion different from their own. Whether Palin, Joe, Bush, or the neighborhood Boy Scout with the temerity to wish them a Merry Christmas, Liberals hate them all.

Joe’s only crime is expressing his opinion (something we never stop hearing Liberals demand for themselves).

As to his mastery of the world political, how could he possibly be any worse then the Obama supporters we’ve seen over and over?

If he writes a book, I’ll see what he has to say. If he runs for Congress, I’ll listen to what he wants to do. After all, how could he be any worse then the incomprehensibly corrupt goons we’ve seen come out of IL recently?

150. jay c | 12.10.08

For the people bashing Obama. His IQ is higher than 98% of the population. He has a 98% chance of being smarter than you. So please stop asking about his qualifications because his intellect alone dwarfs your whole existance. and if you bother to do your own research ( stop listening to Sean Hannity), you would find out he is more than qualified. More so than the last 3 POTUS put together. Only Clinton had the skills to leave this country in a state of bliss (politics and ******* aside).

151. MacIntosh | 12.10.08

22. sigh | 12.10.08
“Joe the Plumber is an idiot fool, nobody, hill-billy, white trash. What does he have to say, dumb uneducated peice of trash.”
This is a well-written response from “The Hammer.” If you’re intending to insult somebody, please be sure to use proper grammar and spelling. This is exactly what is wrong with America today. The dumb are leading the uneducated down the primrose path to ****. To think that you are a registered voter is even more horrifying. I think that you should keep your voting limited to American Idol, and perhaps leave the political commentary to those who are able to express their opinions in a more professional manner.

********************************************************************************

“This is a well-written response from “The Hammer.”

Are the sentences following the line above “from” The Hammer or “to” The Hammer; or are you mocking “The Hammer” by writing that his response to the Joe The Plumber article is well-written?
______________________________________________________

“I think that you should keep your voting limited to American Idol…”

Better: I think that you should limit your voting to American Idol…

152. dan | 12.10.08

Stan from post 131 asked…”How is giving them conditional loans Socialism?”

Well Stan, the key word is “conditional”…like when comrade Pelosi said Congress should have veto power over all major business decisions. I hear they make even select their “car czar” before the end of the week.

In a capitalist society, the government doesn’t dictate they type of product a business is to manufacture, they don’t have veto power over primary business decisions made by the CEO, nor do they have government appointed “czars” to make sure the business is following their directives.

I mean after all if you own a home and you are still paying on it, you have a “conditional loan” called a mortgage. But does your “conditional home loan” dictate how much power you can use? Or what type of energy you must use to power it? Do they have veto power over your choice of furnishings? Do they have a special appointed loan officer whose sole purpose is to monitor every decision you make pertaining to your home in order to check for violations?

153. savant | 12.10.08

Hey Maureen of 138…

I know exactly what you mean. BTW, what village are you from?

154. Greg Deza | 12.10.08

The side-effect of democracy is that idiots have a voice as does ordinary folks.

155. YP the Mule | 12.10.08

Bless America and free speech. While I strongly disagree with Joe’s opinions, I am glad he has the right to write his book. We won’t be buying it, but he, like everyone else, has the right put their thoughts out to the public. The public can decide if his words are of value by purchasing the book (or not.)

Its a pity though, that many great writers will never get the chance at the publicity they deserve, as our nation (and media) seems to be content with mediocrity.

156. poppedeye | 12.10.08

Isn’t this fool’s 15 minutes up?

157. Rooting for Joe! | 12.10.08

Palin/Joe-the-Plummer 2012

Dream Team (if you are a Democrat, that is)

158. Joseph The Plumber | 12.10.08

I wrote my book MYSELF. No ghostwriters. I wrote all 20 pages!

Here is an excerpt -

Joe threw a ball
Joe threw a ball at the wall
While his girlfriend was at the mall

Joe didn’t throw the ball to Barrack
Joe tried to throw the ball at his back

Joe wants to be a plumber
His boss says he’s dumber

Joe isn’t buying
From the tax collector he’s hiding

McCain made him famous
Didn’t know he was just an Amos

Joe is now a failin’
And can’t get help from Palin

You have to buy the book to read the rest.

159. Dayana Martinez | 12.10.08

Kevin and Frank Maroon,
I know very well what Socialism and Communism is. I grew up in a Communist country: Cuba. A country that had “Socialism or Death” Billboards everywhere. The official name of communist Soviet Union was the Union of Soviet SOCIALIST Republics.

All Communists are socialists! That is the definition of communism. You ought to read Marx, like I had to in school. So don’t lecture me that there is a difference. The difference is only in degree.

Almighty,
You are right… except that socialism for corporations is still socialism. It’s only that corporate socialism is called Fascism. Totalitarianism by any other name is still tyranny.

Stan,
My name is DAYANA not Daytona. If you learned to read, maybe I’d take your post more seriously.

160. Carolyn | 12.10.08

Joe is right!

161. Lynn | 12.10.08

Regardless of who you support, you most admit that Joe is smart. At least he is thinking and trying things. Using his brains! Nothing is wrong with that.

162. Leah | 12.10.08

Joe the Plumber is a complete tool. Wasn’t he supposed to have a Nashville deal in the works? I guess all that so called talent and political knowledge didn’t get him too far. If he was so smart in the way of politics, he should have known what he was getting in to. He’s just looking for another free ride.

163. Godsgirl | 12.10.08

To Clinton Brackett. Please do not be a sore loser. Joe the Plumber is a pitiful person who got some attention for a while. He needs to go back to his life.

If he had something to write about, it would have happened before the election. It is nothing more than people working for someone famous and then selling their secrets to the highest bidder. He should have put his information in “The Enquirer” or “The Globe”.

He is not writing anything that would benefit anyone. Just telling secrets. If he did not agree with Mr. McCain, he should have had enough integrity to speak up at the time.

IT IS OVER. Stop blaming Democrats. He all live in The United States of America and it is time to start getting along.

164. Richard Hed | 12.10.08

“you enlighted winnut (sic) leftist (sic) should be outraged about his privacy being invaded for political reasons…”

His privacy wasn’t invaded for political reasons. When he opened his public mouth, he bought everything that goes with it as anyone who is “interested in politics” or even celebrity ought to know.

He is certainly entitled to attempt to reap the benefits of his 15 minutes if he can and one might remind folks here of H L. Mencken’s sage observation that no one ever lost a buck underestimating the taste of the American public.

165. Godsgirl | 12.10.08

To Clinton Brackett. Please do not be a sore loser. Joe the Plumber is a pitiful person who got some attention for a while. He needs to go back to his life.

If he had something to write about, it would have happened before the election. It is nothing more than people working for someone famous and then selling their secrets to the highest bidder. He should have put his information in “The Enquirer” or “The Globe”.

He is not writing anything that would benefit anyone. Just telling secrets. If he did not agree with Mr. McCain, he should have had enough integrity to speak up at the time.

IT IS OVER. Stop blaming Democrats. He all live in The United States of America and it is time to start getting along.

166. san diego joe | 12.10.08

to all you hair brainers your pickin on a poor guy that you admit can take care of him self how bloody americian always for heros and stomp on the guy thats down usa usa usa

167. Progressive Patriot | 12.10.08

I’m so tired of reading generalized comments such as “liberals hate” x or “liberals hate” y. Enough already! It is not unpatriotic to criticize. Period. Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives: we are all free to criticize our government and political system. With that said, “Joe the Plumber” is a fraud. Did anyone else see the FOX News interview with Shepard Smith? The guy couldn’t defend his claim that “a vote for Barack Obama would be the death of Israel,” and instead had the AUDACITY to tell Shepard Smith that his audience members should answer the question instead! ***?????

168. carryokie | 12.10.08

all plumbers are required to have a licence if they do contract work,if you hire a olumber without one you get Joe.

169. Dayana Martinez | 12.10.08

Jay C. in post 144 wrote: “For the people bashing Obama. His IQ is higher than 98% of the population. He has a 98% chance of being smarter than you. So please stop asking about his qualifications because his intellect alone dwarfs your whole existance…”
*********************

Yeah, and he can walk on water, heal the blind, and raise the dead?

Your idolatry of Obama is sickening. In Cuba’s schools we were taught that Castro was so smart too. In Nazi Germany they sang hymns to the brilliance of Adolf Hitler.

James Watson, who won the Nobel prize for science and has an IQ well over 200, is a notorious racist who believes Africans are genetically inferior. He is smarter than 99.8% of the world’s people but is still completely wrong.

Karl Marx was clearly very smart but we was still dead wrong.

Mass-murderer Ted Bundy also had a genius level IQ but I wouldn’t vote for him either.

170. e-than | 12.10.08

point well made. did anyone notice how obama keeps changing his opinion? he was originally going to be sworn without the name “hussein” but has now decided to keep his midde name. people like him make me sick. he’s not even in office and he still can’t keep his work.

171. Jah B | 12.10.08

One of the problems with opinions, and the ability to write them in a book, or post them so freely in response to this article, is that ANTONE is entitled to have one, regardless of whether they have anything worthy to add to the discourse, or the intellectual capacity and knowledge to have said opinion in the first place.

Another problem is that these traces of uninformed mental ************ get any attention at all. In Joe’s book, and in these responses, the same is sadly, likely to be true. Neither Joe, nor most of us are approaching the level of skillful discorse and debate, even those most vaunted by an uninformed public. All this is much to the detriment and dissatisfaction of a public hungry for keen insight and gainful prose. What a sad state have we come to.

In current parlance: Shut up Joe. Mr. McCain has been very quiet since election night, because he knows he was outclassed, Sarah is convinced enough of us are dumb enough to perhaps elect her in 2012. Intelligent people are watching closely what an intelligent person does with the immense responsibility of the office of President. (Did anyone notice that President Obama assigned a PHYSICIST as his Energy Secretary? Think that over for a minute, see if it makes any sense to you.

Don’t buy the book, don’t vote for Sarah, listen, watch, and learn, while Mr. Obama leads you into a new century. It is long past time to get serious and take responsibility. To most who posted here….just be quiet, listen, and hope for America.

172. Jesse Knotts | 12.10.08

We have become a nation that is educated. That is a great thing! Unfortunately I think most people have lost the ability to have faith in anything but education and the media.
Joe the plumber will soon be forgotten regardless of ones political affiliation. However make no mistake, McCain didn’t lose this election and Obama didn’t win it…It is both the media’s influence and OUR willingness to follow that decided the outcome of this election!
Please, regardless of how you voted, stop getting your “facts” from Spin Doctors in Suits and Info Babes! There are plenty of government web sites that have voting records on them…..use them then use your brain! Stop hating and start thinking!

173. Richard McDonough | 12.10.08

I still don’t know why you are employed by the CSM, but you, like Joe, is irrelevant to daily life and, though the plumber, to stretch the designation, at least waited till the check cleared before jumping ship. Tell me what your figure is to get rid of you.

174. Stephen | 12.10.08

People, or at least republicans, in this comment section are seriously pushing for this guy to run for congress? Palin & the Plumber are the best candidates of the right wing? Their best policy positions are to smear Obama with his middle name & socialism? Maybe they should keep pushing on Rezko, Reverend Wright & his birth certificate too.

I really hope so. I hope they forget how “successful” that strategy was on November 4th. 2010 could be another great election year for the republicans…

Keep it up Joe!! Make your voice heard. Get a talk radio show. Be a Fox news commentator. Run for high office. America needs a patriot like you to keep reasonable intelligent centrist republican candidates off the ballot.

175. Bless America | 12.10.08

#161 writes:

Your idolatry of Obama is sickening. In Cuba’s schools we were taught that Castro was so smart too. In Nazi Germany they sang hymns to the brilliance of Adolf Hitler.

James Watson, who won the Nobel prize for science and has an IQ well over 200, is a notorious racist who believes Africans are genetically inferior. He is smarter than 99.8% of the world’s people but is still completely wrong.

Karl Marx was clearly very smart but we was still dead wrong.

Mass-murderer Ted Bundy also had a genius level IQ but I wouldn’t vote for him either.
******************************************************************************************

God also has a high IQ. Is he/she an evil person? Obama healing the sick and walking on water are terms his detractors throw around. They are not the words of Obama’s supporters. You and others like you are the ones who are obsessed with the possiblities of his power. And Presisent Obama is STILL SMARTER THAN YOU…no apologies.

176. Stephen | 12.10.08

People, or at least republicans, in this comment section are seriously pushing for this guy to run for congress? Palin & the Plumber are the best candidates of the right wing? Their best policy positions are to smear Obama with his middle name & socialism? Maybe they should keep pushing on Rezko, Reverend Wright & his birth certificate too.

I really hope so. I hope they forget how “successful” that strategy was on November 4th. 2010 could be another great election year for the republicans…

Keep it up Joe!! Make your voice heard. Get a talk radio show. Be a Fox news commentator. Run for high office. America needs a patriot like you to keep reasonable intelligent centrist republican candidates off the ballot.

177. Lauren | 12.10.08

Why are all you liberal commentators so angry (mad)? You won the election. Joe, you are wonderful If you ran for office I’d vote for you. When I first heard you speak, I thought that for an uneducated man you spoke with so much intelligence. Many people with a lot of education, don’t speak with much intelligence

178. Joe - Not a plumber | 12.11.08

Mr. Wurzelbacher, I’m sorry your time is up.

As far as biting the hand that feeds, that seems to be something of a theme these last few years. All I’ll say is that I would REALLY appreciate news that well….newsworthy. I’m just not sure how this fits that bill.

179. Jim smith | 12.11.08

Just keep in mind, Joe the Plumber has acutually provided services people want to buy - plumbing. Barack Hussein Obama is nothing more than a poverty **** who bought the Presidency with $750 million from rich elitist liberals.

Joe the Plumber accomplishes more before 9 a.m. each day than Obama has ever done in his life. Seriously, what job has Obama ever had? And government work doesn’t count.

180. Chris Gray | 12.11.08

Does anybody here ever google anything? “Joe the Plumber” is writing his book with Thomas Tabback. Thomas Tabback has written one book previously. That book was published by Pearlgate Publishing. Thomas Tabback happens to be the owner and founder of Pearlgate Publishing. Joe the Plumber hasn’t received a penny from his book. And won’t unless someone actually buys it. Joe couldn’t find a real publisher. He says .. oh, call it “defensively:”

“I am not going to a conglomerate that way we actually can get the economy jump started. Like there is five publishing companies in Michigan. There’s a couple down in Texas. They are small ones that can handle like 10 or 15,000 copies. I can go to a big one that could handle a million or two. But they don’t need the help. They are already rich. So that’s spreading the wealth to me.”

Go ahead. Parse the grammar errors in that small snippet alone and wonder about the rest of his book.

“PearlGate’s only other offering is a novel by Joe’s co-author, Thomas Tabback, who is also the company’s founder. Technically, though, Joe the Plumber is not self-publishing. Unless he actually sunk some of his own money into PearlGate to get the book out, we suppose.”

The really interesting question is why Glen Beck is giving this book or its author the time of day? It kind of suggests that Beck, himself, is sliding downhill nearly as rapidly as Joe the Plumber.

181. Dayana Martinez | 12.11.08

Bless America in post 161 wrote: “And Presisent Obama is STILL SMARTER THAN YOU…no apologies.”
********************

Yep, he’s is so smart that he thought that there are 57 states in the US.

Here’s more from the genius Obama:

“In case you missed it, this week, there was a tragedy in Kansas. Ten thousand people died — an entire town destroyed.” The actual death toll was twelve.

or: “On this Memorial Day, as our nation honors its unbroken line of fallen heroes — and I see many of them in the audience here today”

So Obama sees dead people?

Finally, my favorite Obama quote: “We can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times… and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK. That’s not leadership. That’s not going to happen.”

Yes I can! In a free country I can drive my SUV all I want, or keep my home at whatever temperature I feel like, and it’s not the business of any other country. It’s none of Obama’s business either.

Yeah, this man is Sooooo Smart!

182. NinaK | 12.11.08

91. Dawn | 12.10.08

Editing my own words here:

Comment #75 should have ended with “everyone should have the right to say something if they have the opportunity to.”
——————————————–
Dawn, my English books show we must never begin or end a sentence with words such as “to” “from” with” “for”. It makes for poor writing and speaking.

The comment shoud have read, “everyone should have the right to say something when they have the opportunity”. The “to” is just a drag in the sentence, improper, and unnecessary.

183. NinaK | 12.11.08

Love the cartoon. Something is missing…McCain’s tongue should be sticking out of his mouth; like that photograph of him walking with his hands outstretched and tongue hanging out following senator Obama!! I never laughed so hard!! If any of you missed it, I am sure it is still on the web under John McCain.

184. NinaK | 12.11.08

145. MacIntosh | 12.10.08

22. sigh | 12.10.08
“Joe the Plumber is an idiot fool, nobody, hill-billy, white trash. What does he have to say, dumb uneducated peice of trash.”
This is a well-written response from “The Hammer.” If you’re intending to insult somebody, please be sure to use proper grammar and spelling. This is exactly what is wrong with America today. The dumb are leading the uneducated down the primrose path to ****. To think that you are a registered voter is even more horrifying. I think that you should keep your voting limited to American Idol, and perhaps leave the political commentary to those who are able to express their opinions in a more professional manner.

********************************************************************************

“This is a well-written response from “The Hammer.”

Are the sentences following the line above “from” The Hammer or “to” The Hammer; or are you mocking “The Hammer” by writing that his response to the Joe The Plumber article is well-written?
______________________________________________________

“I think that you should keep your voting limited to American Idol…”

Better: I think that you should limit your voting to American Idol…
———————————————————————
Much Better: I think you might want to limit your voting to American Idol.

I am curious, how do you react when someone directly “orders” you with a comment such as, “you SHOULD go buy groceries”" or, “you SHOULD remember to do your homework”? Such comments usually put the recipient on the defensive. how about, “I think it would be a good idea for you to do your homework before turning in, wouldn’t you agree?” Try it, it works!

185. Vgirl1 | 12.11.08

Well, I guess McCain and Palin continue to realize

“YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW”

186. JM | 12.11.08

It was necessary for Joe to leave the bus. Sadly, Joe missed the bus a long, long time ago.

187. Amazed and Confused | 12.11.08

I would simply ask which will sell more copies?

His new book or his former book, ‘Plumbing for Dummies’

188. Brian Richard Allen | 12.11.08

The Bush Derangement Syndrome, Fear of Palin Fixation and now becoming epidemic Borderline Joe the Plumber Disorder and the definitive blind hatred, mindless rage, psychopatholgical projection and mass raving lunacy of the FasciSSocialist Psychosis suffering froth and foam flecked fanatical crypto-fascist is surely out on full public display on this thread.

Man! It’s going to be really grand watching this gang and those too damned stupid to know they’re being lied to and/or too damned mean-spirited and/or greedy to care (the other major component part of the dhimmicraps’ base, that is) falling apart all over the place when the resounding Republican resurgences of 2010 and 2012 sends half of the congress and then the self and America loathing mobbed up Marxist murtadd Muslim Arab-African and his ratbag gang of recidivist, treasonous lying, looting, thieving, co-serial-rapist Cli’ton Crime Family retreads packing!

Go! Governor Palin! Go! Governor Jindal! The once white house in 2012.

And Joe the Plumber for Congress 2010!

Brian Richard Allen
Los Angeles - CalifUBAMAcated 90028

189. Andrew | 12.11.08

According to Amazon:

Joe the Plumber: Fighting for the American Dream (Hardcover)
by Samuel J. Wurzelbacher (Author), Thomas N. Tabback (Author)

This is the website of the co-author and publisher of this book

http://pearlgatepublishing.com/pages/author.html

They have only published one other book, by the same author.

190. Talented Tenth | 12.11.08

How can anyone still defend McCain/Palin and their annoying “Joe the Plumber”? You conservative Republican idiots are the same people who but “W-the Imp” in office for a second term. Obviously, he was a threat to the propserity of the ENTIRE world. I guess it was more important to fight his daddy’s oil adversary than to save all of our sons and daughters. The Iraq War was waged because of oil and money, NOT terrorism. Just shut up and face the music that the most powerful man in the world is a Black man! Even more importantly, he was elected based on his intelligence, skills, and popularity and IN SPITE of his color NOT BECAUSE of it. God Bless . . . .

191. nat | 12.11.08

This guy getting a book deal? I thought the economy is in recession.

192. erichansa | 12.11.08

That pile of garbage book will be given to me as a Christmas gift by someone & I will try to look excited when I finish unwrapping it ” . Oh Wow ! Joe the plumber has a hardcover out ! Thank You so much . I can’t wait to read it . Oh wow .” .

193. Sarah Palin | 12.11.08

I for one will be buying this book. Sounds great.

194. B. | 12.11.08

Even an election victory does not stop the HATE that festers in Liberals. Heaven forbid someone have their own opinion and not just lock step their way through life !! If you read some of the above comments, Joe the Plumber is called a “bigot”, “racist”, “ignorant”, “white trash”,”uneducated”, and a “moron”.

Where has Joe said anything that could remotely cause him to be called a bigot or a racist????? Liberals use certain words over and over and pay no mind to their meaning as long as it is insulting then it will do. Liberal seething hate did not cease with this election and will accumulate somewhere and blow. Commentors on this site have even said Joe should not be allowed to express his opinion !! So much for free speech. What they want is one MUST think , act, walk, talk like them or you should not be allowed to live. Hate consumes its bearer and I for one will enjoy the self implosion of those who are so hate filled and lack clear thought.

195. Karl | 12.11.08

To: 14. Dayana Martinez | 12.10.08

You wrote: “Since Socialism has never worked anywhere…”

Do some research, some aspects of Socialism has worked and continues to work in many areas of the worlds free nations. Canada, France, UK, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, etc. While they are not 100% socialist they use social economic practices to ensure their citizens can have an opportunity to succeed. I am not saying its perfect but its not the evil freedom killer you think it is.

196. Anon | 12.11.08

Hey Joe- (where you goin with that gun of yours?) Theres a reason you fish turds out of my bowl for a living. You do not belong in politics. Go the **** home.

197. DH | 12.11.08

Why do so many commentators refer to Joe not being licensed? This is just MSM spin that idiots regurgitate. If you are capable of digging deeper into what you are spoon fed - research whether you actually *need* to have a license to be a plumber in Joe’s home state (and furthermore, whether you personally need one if your employer has one.)

198. Frank | 12.11.08

Joe the “unlicensed” plumber and Joe the “I can’t remember to pay my taxes” and Joe who was pulled out of obscurity by a good man John McCain, is so full of it, it’s coming out his ears. I never agreed with John McCain’s views during the campaign, but he is a hero and an honorable man. Being trashed by this loser is such an extreme injustice to a man who has spent his life serving the people of this country. Joe the fake plumber’s 15 minutes should have been done long ago. I only hope his book sales reflect how big a loser he really is.

199. JB | 12.11.08

Dayana Martinez - #14 - are you crazy? Listen to Joe “the unlicensed” plumber? He has said exactly as many relevant things about the political scene as my 2 year old has.

McCain lost the election long before the bailout issue. Do you really think Obama is going to derail the country any worse than your Republican currently in charge Gee Double-Ya?

As for Bush standing with them - did he have much choice? He’s pretty much powerless now as it stands.

200. tara | 12.11.08

what’s your beef, everyone? joe got his 15 minutes of fame, went on the talk-show circuit and is promoting his book. colin powell lied to the u.n. security coucil, wrote a book and did mthe self-promotion tours, karl rove was the master strategist for one of the most vicious and ignorant administations in U.S. history–he wrote a book, did the tv circuit and tried to make a buck.

If anyone should be derided for giving idiots of all stripes way more publicity than they deserve. joe’s not stupid: he ran with it.

201. aims | 12.11.08

135..hahahaha that is hilarious..i so forgot about william hung….funny!!!!

202. Brian | 12.11.08

Wow, I can not believe people still bothering to call Obama a socialist and all the alarmist rhetoric they buy into. What a bunch of ****. First off, Joe the NOT plumber will NEVEr make a good congressman. The fact that he backstabbed the person who is the sole reason anyone knows who he is should be your first clue.

Secondly, the only people who are “afraid” of Obama are the tax dodgers. I can not believe one of these comments said that McCain backing the bailout was the reason he lost.

The reason McCain lost is because American citizens are tired of republican ****. We are tired of being told that we should not expect help when the hardships we are going through are for the most part the fault of Republican policy.

We are tired of “Government of the people by the rich people”. American citizens would like a return to “Government by the people, for the people.”

There was a time before a lot of us were born when our leaders cared about us more than partisan bickering. McCain lost becuase he is a Bush clone and he ran an increasingly negative campaign. I watched almost every speech McCain gave. I watched every debate he was a part of and he spend the lions share of his time doing nothing but talking about how evil Obama is.

Plain and ismple Obama won because he spent most of his campaign time explaining to the people the things he wanted to do when he got into office.

You idiots who think McCain was the right choice for this country really need to put yourself in the places of millions upon millions of Americans who are suffering due to the criminal economic, domestic, and foreign policies of the current ruling party.

Maybe then you would understand what it is like to be an emotional human being suffering due to things that are completely beyond your control. This might open your eyes and make you realize that it is time to get the terrorists out of office and get someone in there who thinks we should be helping our own along with others instead of destroying our own to help others.

WAKE UP PEOPLE!! It is time for us to take our nation back from the Monarchy of the last 8 years.

203. Ryan | 12.11.08

for all the people who are complaing about joe getting some lime light they fail to realize that you posting here is going to give him even more momentum to stay in the limelight. You obviously care if you took the time to post something. Put yourself in his shoes. If you were put into the limelight, imagine what skeletons might come out of your closet. Are you so perfect to post your opinions.

204. Dayana Martinez | 12.11.08

Karl in post 186 wrote: “Do some research, some aspects of Socialism has worked and continues to work in many areas of the worlds free nations. Canada, France, UK”
**********************

Actually, France and the UK have seen declining living standards the more socialist they become. In 1979 Margaret Thatcher was elected in the UK and privatized most of the British economy. This led to an economic boom. When Labour retook power, they wisely, decided NOT to return to socialism.

Whatever prosperity these countries have comes from the still unsocialized private sectors in those nations while those sectors that are socialized are a drain on the rest of the economy. To free themselves from socialist stagnation, even Sweden now elected a center-right government that has privatized much of the economy.

If you like socialism, move to Cuba or Venezuela and then see how you really like it.

205. Jim-Bob | 12.11.08

Wurzelbacher/Palin 2012

206. Lip | 12.11.08

http://liveimagephoto.com/zenphoto/Interesting/thesecretofdemagogue.jpg.php

The secret of the demagogue is to make herself as stupid as her audience, so they believe they are as clever as she is.

207. S.E. H | 12.11.08

JOE THE PLUMBER IS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN!
His opinion counts!!

That is so rude people say he should get out of fame now.

He’s a real person just like all the other people who have more fame, he deserves to be heard just as much as anyone else.

And he knows more about the campaigners than probably everyone on this board:
HE ACTUALLY MET AND SPOKE WITH THEM.

Have you?

208. Laura Houston | 12.11.08

we all need to thank Joe for his service to the country! He along with Palin and the other religious wackos helpd Mccain develope a larger loss! Thank you Joe forever!

209. Jo | 12.11.08

“Joe’s only crime is expressing his opinion (something we never stop hearing Liberals demand for themselves).”

No, Joe’s crime was pretending to be someone he wasn’t to ask a made up question that he THOUGHT was clever enough to embarrass Obama. Obama answered him honestly and courteously. Joe then tried to use the incident to cash in on the McCain publicity train.

“”As to his mastery of the world political, how could he possibly be any worse then the Obama supporters we’ve seen over and over?”

Yes he could be far worse. He has no depth of knowledge as is demonstrated by embracing the Palin and right-wing sound bites as being genuine policy. He critizes Obama for wanting to share the wealth, but when Joe was on welfare, he didn’t seem to have any problem asking for his share. (Yes he was on welfare)

“If he writes a book, I’ll see what he has to say. If he runs for Congress, I’ll listen to what he wants to do. After all, how could he be any worse then the incomprehensibly corrupt goons we’ve seen come out of IL recently?”

He is incapable of writing a book. A publisher will have something ghost written that encompasses basic right wing talking points, toss in a few folksy remarks and put Joe’s picture on the cover. He will never run for Congress. Do you have any idea what the job of a Congressman is? He will need quite a bit of financial and party backing. Not going to happen any time soon.

210. Jo | 12.11.08

“Even now, in this very article, he author continues to smear Joe. He is referred to as an “unlicensed plumber” when having a plumbing license is irrelevant and unnecessary.”

Not true. I live in Joe’s home state. It is illegal to perform the work of a plumber unless you have completed a five year apprenticeship. The professional union that represents licensed plumbers and pipe fitters has disavowed Joe, endorsed Obama, and confirmed that Joe cannot practice under any one else’s license unless enrolled in a valid apprenticeship program.

As to Joe, he lied about who and what he was in an arrogant attempt to try to embarrass Obama. Obama answered his questions honestly and courteously. Joe repaid him by buying into the McCain train and allowing himself to be used to represent middle America. He doesn’t. I know plumbers that are professional, articulate, and honest. Joe is not one of them.

211. The Bob | 12.11.08

Joe the Plumber is far from educated - if so than why would he be working class trash

212. Jeff | 12.11.08

Gee, I didn’t think Joe the Plumber made a difference in the presidential campaign then, so why would I thinks what he says in a book would make me think he makes a difference now?

213. Dayana Martinez | 12.11.08

Jo in post 200 wrote: “No, Joe’s crime was pretending to be someone he wasn’t to ask a made up question that he THOUGHT was clever enough to embarrass Obama”
******************

No what Joe did was commit the unpardonable sin of speaking truth to power. Since liberals believe their new messiah is never to be challenged, they want to burn Joe at the stake for heresy.

As for Joe being unlicensed: Good for him. That itself is a stand for freedom by not going through some approved apprenticeship mandated by busybody government regulators whose only goal is to satify left-wing Unions that want to keep prices high by limiting competition.

If I lived in Ohio, I’d hire him based on his ability to do the job for a lower price. That’s called Free-Enterprise! Screw the government regulators.

As for 2012, The backlash is coming! That’s when we’ll see Wurzelbacher in congress and either Palin or Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal headed for the White House.

214. Yahute | 12.11.08

Expect Joe The Plumber to be a FOX News Correspondent shortly.

215. Anya | 12.11.08

Why are people expecting “Joe the plumber” to be a political analyst rather than a guy named Joe who works as a plumber? No, he’s not versed in foreign policy. Yes, he said some dumb things.

What’s more of a story is that McCain, whose job it actually is to be politically savvy, would stand behind a statement like “a vote for Obama is a vote for the death of Israel”.

Who cares that Joe doesn’t have anything brilliant to say. He doesn’t seem guilty of anything other than taking the opportunity to make a buck (or several) from his 15 minutes of fame and questioning political leadership he suspected to be faulty. Can’t get more American than that!

216. Willie | 12.11.08

The gift shop at the Dan Quayle museum in Indiana will be the first to have this book out for sale!

217. Undeclared | 12.12.08

I just love to read all the stimulating remarks made in these posts. har har. These blogs really do attract the unwashed masses!

218. Nick D | 12.12.08

As if John McCain is really going to spend time talking with people like Joe the Plumber. “Hey, Joe, you’re the type of guy my daughter should be dating”. “Hey, Joe, you and I can have a good philosophical discussion”. “Hey, Joe, your family were sharecroppers on my parents’ plantation”. “Hey, Joe, you were a private and I was a lieutenant-colonel”. “Hey, Joe, I’m a multi-millionaire and you’d like to be one too”.

219. annie Dee | 12.12.08

Sad - Sad! Unbelievable! This guy is an opportunist and everyone knows it. I didn’t buy him and I won’t buy his book. As for the person who said they would hire him as an unlicensed plumber - “screw the government regulations” - well good for them. Those government regulations are there for a reason. When after he has walked away with their hard earned money and their house is flooded - just pay him again to fix it - if you can find him! That shows real smarts! Just keep your wagons circled in 2012 if this is what we have to look forward to!

220. Debra | 12.12.08

The post on here by democrats is the reason why I will NEVER vote for another democrat in my life. My old party did not attack avg americans. Wanted to protect our rights. Was so upset over wiretaps and saying we lost our privacy but do NOT have a problem with Joes privacy.

Obama got very lucky that majority of his voters were so uninformed. The sad part if the informed voters voted McCain. So thank you dumb americans and the media that seen Obama as money in the bank off the coins and such they are coming out with

Can NOT believe my party turned into a bunch of hypocrites

221. fava | 12.13.08

Palin/Wurzelbacher in 2012! Now that’s a balanced ticket!!!

222. Jon | 12.13.08

All of you people whining about Joe are disgusting hypocrites. Cheese with that whine anyone?

I earn over $300,000 a year but never finished college. I also pay over $70,000 a year in federal taxes alone. But according to you hypocrites, since I am not a degreed engineer, I have no ability to own and manage an automation engineering company. But I have 37 highly paid engineers working for me. They depend on me to to pay them so they can keep the roof over their heads, buy their groceries, send their kids to college, take vacations. They have 100% company paid medical insurance, receive a profit sharing check at Christmas, 401k company match contributions with 100% vesting on day 1, and more.

You whiners are nothing more than mental midget perverts. Finding fault with everyone but yourself. You whiners sound like a group of little old biddies gossiping about the new family on the block.

Now excuse me, I have to find work for my good employees and write up the layoff papers for the ones that think “I” owe them a living.

223. alrady | 12.14.08

Forget the website I linked to my article on how to get rich off politics. Hey I think everyone is just jealous that they aren’t Joe the Plumber.

Did we expect any less than a tell all book? I had the idea months ago. On ehow.com my article is “How to Make Money Off Politics” and on Bukisa.com it is “How to Make Money Off Sarah Palin.”

Either way I am jealous. I should have shouldered in there, got the scoop, hired a ghost writer and made a fortune! AT least I would have fun on the talk show circuit. I’d rather be rich faster, than rich slower.

It doesn’t matter what biz you are in, if you get behind the scenes you are going to be disappointed. People tend to idealize things and get disappointed when things aren’t as they seem.

224. FredTom | 12.14.08

He can read???

225. mikel | 12.15.08

Maybe we could make Joe the Whitehouse plummmer! Oh! Wait! We did that with Nixon!

226. PrintingResource | 01.07.09

How do we know Joe is really a plumber… and not a carpenter? hmm
I saw Joe putting candy corns in his nose. I never liked candy corns.
When I spoke with the aliens about this, they said if any of you wree intelligent you’d see that the equator has natrual human resonance for better mental focus. I used to collect rocks.

227. Sheryl | 01.12.09

It just goes to show you that anyone can be a one time star. It also proves what I thought all along and that is that fifty percent of society is ignorant, look at Joe the opertunist, over seas giving ignorant comments on things that wordly, intelligent,spirtual individuals have not seem to have a resolution for. Yeah, what a MAROON.

228. Fran | 01.15.09

Barak Hussein Obama is a better politician than Joe the Plumber, and he’s also an “articulate” speaker. But Joe the Plumber is a straight talking American who may be just an “average” speaker, but he asked Obama a question that many people wanted to ask but lacked the courage. Besides, Joe knows that the USA doesn’t have 57 states - that makes him smarter than slick talking Obama.

229. jax | 01.19.09

The last few paragraphs of JTPs Book!

….It had changed from “Madam Governor” to Sara about two hours ago. She always just called me Joe. Sara slowly closed The Bible and put on the coffee table as I opened our third bottle of champagne. Bible study was over for the evening.

She dismissed her Blackwater and personal guards with a wave of her hand to Roberts who all this time was standing quietly by the kitchen doorway. They seemed to came out of every room and closet in the place and they filed out of the suite, I caught a smirk on a few of the Blackwater guys faces. Right then I knew that I could either get up and leave and go back to a life of obscurity, or stay and have my life changed forever. living in luxury; in a suite like this one as a white house insider.

…Sara leaned in close and as our lips met, i could see my whole life ahead of me! a life I never even dreamed possible back in Ohio. “Joe the Plumber” died in the warm embrace of that truly beautiful and wonderful woman; The woman I’d been looking for all my life. And as Sara and I walked slowly down the hall towards the master bedroom, arms and bodies entwined, not wanting to break our embrace even for a moment, I knew my time had come. Sara Palin’s time had come. America’s time had come: A dream with fighting for, a dream come true.

230. CTL | 01.20.09

Joe is not educated, has no credentials and incoherently repeats fragmented bits of far right talking points which he trys to pass off as intellect.

I passed people like him on the food chain 25 years ago by out smarting them and out working them, because I am middle america. Ofcourse I suppose Joe has one on me now, maybe someday I will be lucky enough to have my 15 minutes of fame.

231. Fran | 01.20.09

Hey, CSM, I thought you don’t allow trash on this web site. Did you read that lying ***** that joker JAX wrote about Joe the Plunber’s book? This joker tried to trash Joe and Gov.Sars Palin with his sick humor and lies. If he ever said that stuff to Joe’s face, or to Sara’s Husband, he’d get what he deserves. But don’t worry, Jax, you’re safe to print more lies and trash, because nobody can see you on the internet.

232. Fran | 02.06.09

So Michael Phelps, the Olympic medalist, got caught smoking pot and was booted out of his contract with Kellog. Yet we have a president who admitted in an offhand way that he tried ‘all that stuff’ in college days. It matters with cereal companies, but not the leader of the free world?

233. Fran | 02.07.09

To all you Socialist lovers who claim that Socialism is not Communism - I have news for you. What name do you think Communist Russia gave to itself? It was called the U.S.S.R. - Union of Soviet Socialist Republic.

If you really love Socialism so much , why not move to Cuba or Venezuela? Maybe all you have to do is wait for your idol Obama to and his liberal thugs to accomplish it.

234. oldewok | 02.15.09

Joe the plumber is a real man…that is why he wimpy libs hate him…lol punks…In two years Obama and his loon crew will ruin the economy…your going to wish the republicans were in charge again…lol

235. jeffery langly | 02.22.09

the demise of john mccain started with sara the idiot, and ended with joe the moron. as of the end of feb ‘09 joe the bald headed jerk’s “book” isn’t selling and he’s rapidly fading from the public scene.

Once the media stops covering you, that’s the end. They quit jtp and now he’s over. sitting in that little sht shack of his with probably a mountain of debt including a huge bill from the printers of his “book”. maybe he can send the bill to that other jerk, sara palin?

236. Berlin | 02.28.09

Says Someone:

“Yes I can! In a free country I can drive my SUV all I want, or keep my home at whatever temperature I feel like, and it’s not the business of any other country. It’s none of Obama’s business either.”

Ladies and gentlemen: The Problem.

237. rosita e. asano | 02.28.09

One thing that I find so interesting is that all these people that are trashing Joe the Plumber are nothing more than a bunch of ignoramus. I voted republican because I didn’t like the liberal candidate that was offered by the democrat. I believe he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. We are slowly being led to the slaughter house and by the time you all wake up to reality it will be too late. I myself is very upset at McCain. I do believe he sold out the party that helped him win the nomination. He was continously apologizing to Obama and his group. And for what? Obama was trashing him even worst and was never apologetic about it. To think that running a clean campaign means not mentioning the opponent’s middle name is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. I hope Joe the Plumber’s book hits numero uno.

238. rosita e. asano | 03.01.09

I hope you all see the irony in all these. We went into Irag took down one of the most vicious, heartless, evil dictator named Hussein. And for the love of heaven turned right around and put one (named Hussien) into the highest office of our country. For all we know, he could be a distance cousin of Saddam. And what would be the best way to even up the score. I mean already executive orders were popping up in the name of Allah. Yemen now has no problem releasing the very people that murdered some of our fellow countrymen, because a muslim is now in power in our country. Oh yes he is. Gitmo is now being closed down. The trials for these murders is being suspended. Over $900 million dollars is being sent to Hamas.

This reminds me just how much money we’ve been sending all over Africa and for some unknown reasons keep ending up in the hands of warlords and dictators. Mr. Clooney you big devil you’re such a charitable person with other people’s money.

Oh, I hope the Jews are very happy now. They were practically kissing Obama’s you know what before the election.

Oh my, I really went off the subject. Aren’t we talking about Joe the Plumber? Yes I guess being a plumber is not a worthy job. Just ask those homeless people out there begging for food and money. This also reminds me about the time a man named Alec Baldwin making fun of Sean Hannity, because Sean used to work as a carpenter while going to college. The poor ignorant Baldwin. Little did he know that Harrison Ford was working as a carpenter at the studio where he was discovered. Ford turned out to be a bigger and better actor than Mr. Liberal Baldwin could ever be.

Another note to all educated idiots, a person does not need to be licensed to work as a plumber or most blue collar jobs. The owner of the company they work for do need to be licensed.

239. rea | 03.03.09

I know you’re not going to publish this Mr. Orr you liberal you. If your blog is just to print different ways to bash Joe the Plumber how boring. I submitted a blog a few days ago. I guess it didn’t meet you Joe the Plumber bashing to well.

240. rosita e. asano | 03.03.09

Mr. Orr isn’t it sad that so far five of the people Mr. Obama nominated for cabinet positions were tax evaders. Mr. Obama says they’re the best for the job. That’s embarrassing for the dems, isn’t it? There’s nobody out there honest enough to fulfill some of these jobs? Criminals are the best the democrats got. I still have my doubts on Obama himself as being an honest person. Oh my God, our country is being run by a bunch of criminals. How many more of his appointees with dark secrets.

You know, I can still remember back when a man and his family were raided by the FBI for owing the IRS, how much was it again $1.00? And somebody did get kill in that raid. How about the democratic senator from New York, Charlie Rangel. Or we can go as far back to Al Capone era, and wasn’t Lou Costello stripped of everything he owned by the IRS? Yes, Mr. Redd Foxx how can we forget him. And last but not least Wesley Snipe. Boy, that was big news, wasn’t it. It really doesn’t matter if it’s $1.00 or 3 million dollars. That’s not the point, it’s the principle behind it.

Do you all remember the ousted Larry Craig and Foley? Wasn’t Barney Frank actually caught doing a minor boy. If you’re a democrat and probably depending on the district you’re in, it really doesn’t matter what you do. You’ve got to admit it. Let’s take the case of Edward Kennedy, if that was Joe the Plumber, and he left a woman in his car to drown in a river, you can bet all the money you have, he would be charged with manslaughter or even murder, and leaving the scene of an accident, right?

So Palin is an idiot and Joe the Plumber a moron. To be loved is to commit a crime. Is that what it takes? Or do we have to add, be a liberal.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

Leave a Comment

  By clicking "Submit Comment", you agree to our Terms of Service.

We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. The comments feature is a forum to discuss the ideas in our stories. Constructive debate - even pointed disagreement - is welcome, but personal attacks on other commenters are not, and will not be published.

Tip: Do not write a novel. Keep it short. We will not publish lengthy comments. Come up with your own statements. This is not a place to cut and paste an email you received. If we recognize it as such, we won't post it.

Please do not post any comments that are commercial in nature or that violate copyrights.

Finally, we will not publish any comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence.