(Jake Turcotte)
Ohio Sen. Voinovich to retire. Could Joe the Plumber run for Senate?
By Jimmy Orr | 01.12.09
Are there any Republican Senators who want to stick around?
Ohio Senator George Voinovich is expected to announce this afternoon that he will not seek re-election. That makes four Republican senators who are planning to step down in 2010.
He joins Florida Senator Mel Martinez, Kansas Senator Sam Brownback, and Missouri Senator Kit Bond in saying ‘no mas.’
Ch-ch-ch-changes
It would be a change of heart for the two-term senator. The Columbus Dispatch quotes the chair of Ohio’s Republican Party as saying the 40-year veteran of politics might want to spend more time with his family instead of making policy.
“He may be having second thoughts,” Robert Bennett said. “I think George is looking at eight years, when he will be 81 and (his wife) Janet will be 85. He’s a family man.”
Who’s got next?
Just like with the other announcements, the focus is not so much on the retiree but who’s on deck. Out with the old, in with the new.
Political pundits look at former Congressman Rob Portman as a likely candidate. Another former congressman who’s been all over TV since his retirement — John Kasich — is a possibility as is former Senator Mike DeWine.
On the left, the Cleveland Plain Dealer points to Representative Tim Ryan and Lt. Governor Lee Fisher as possible contenders. While the Cincinnati Enquirermentions Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner.
Gulp
Politico reports that the wave of retirements is causing some Republicans to “panic” but Utah Senator Orrin Hatch puts it in perspective.
“I’m really concerned because it’s important we have some balance here because if we don’t, one side can do whatever it wants to do, and that’s not good for the country,” Hatch said. “To the extent that some of these folks decide to leave, and they certainly have the right to do that, we’re going to have to find good candidates to run and hopefully hold onto our seats.”
Joe the Senator
What about that guy from Ohio who campaigned with John McCain. You know, Joe the Plumber?
In a matter of months, Wurzelbacher (his real last name) has gone from kind-of plumber to McCain prop to kind-of author to war correspondent in Israel.
By the way, in case you haven’t heard, that last part is true. We told you about this last week. Wurzelbacher is actually in Israel and he’s covering the fighting for a conservative web site.
So, why not fill out the resume with U.S. Senator?
Bring it on
He told conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham last October that he was interested in Democratic Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur’s seat and was mulling a run.
“I’ll tell you what, we’d definitely be in one heck of a fight but, you know, I’d be up for it,” he said.
No way, you say? The Arizona Cardinals are in the NFC Championship game.
Anything - anything - is possible.
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2. Steve | 01.12.09
Oh my I hope he does because I would love to see the IRS get into his records and see what a criminal background check produces on this pandering farce from the Republicans.
3. Jenny | 01.12.09
I really think Joe should wait for Palin to run for prez, and he could run as vice-prez. What a pair - what a race.
what a farce.
4. Wayno | 01.12.09
Please say it ain’t so, Simon.
It’s time we return to putting smart people in positions of authority instead of “someone who looks like me.” Myself included.
Joe (isn’t it Samuel?) the plumber (unlicensed) a little more of a city council kind of person…a small city (like Wasilla)?
5. Joe’s fan | 01.12.09
Joe, the plumber, should run for Senator of Ohio. He is a quick learner and has demonstrated a real knack for politics. I do not think he could be both a congressman and a senator. However, he could run for both and leave it to the voters to decide where they wanted him.
6. Fitzy | 01.12.09
I would pay a lot of money to see a debate between “Joe” the “Plumber” and Tim Ryan. Ryan would run circles around Joe “The media shouldn’t be allowed to report on the war– but I’m a war correspondent” Wurzelbacher.
7. Simonizer | 01.12.09
Joe (aka Samuel W) cannot spell common words, much less understand International Law, Constitutional Law, Cultural diversity, nor the sciences that are used to determine the operation of everything from complex systems to white collar crime. I don’t know if I’d trust him to plumb my John! Wait, I know, he could sponsor a bill to outsource the entire US government to a Blackwater subsidiary located in the Emirates!
8. ThePhotogsBlog | 01.12.09
Please run Joe. Your candidature will guarantee another seat to the Democrats.
9. Platypus | 01.12.09
My advice to anyone evaluating candidates for any political office–federal, state, or local–is to ask the simple question: Is this the most qualified and capable candidate for the position?
That’s all that needs to be considered. The rest, be it clothing, hairstyle, gender, skin color, etc., is superficial and unimportant.
Smarter decisions made by every individual result in better outcomes for all of us.
10. Mark | 01.12.09
“I’m really concerned because it’s important we have some balance here because if we don’t, one side can do whatever it wants to do, and that’s not good for the country…” Interesting quote from Senator Hatch. I wonder what that would be like?
11. Andrew | 01.12.09
Joe the…. oh please. Joe the GO HOME. The guy knows nothing about anything, he’s not even a real plumber. Didn’t he once say that he loved plumbing and didn’t want to leave that, wanted to start his own business? Look how quickly he dropped all that when he got his 15 minutes of fame.
Please, PLEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASE lets not give this ********* a 16th minute.
12. J. Powl | 01.12.09
All the better for us. Palin and the Plumber. Keep it up Republicans. Reagan must be rolling over in his grave. The Party of Lincoln has been hijacked by the religious right. I know who would be a PERFECT Secretary of State…Ann Coulter !
15. a | 01.12.09
Simon, please tell me you are joking!! Joe most likely has a H.S. Diploma. Dumber than Palin, that’s for sure. Oh that’s right Steve, I could only imagine what a background check would reveal.
16. Al Gore | 01.12.09
If Palin/”Joe da Plumber” is the best duo the Republicons can put together it’s a sad day for America.
18. Talked to death | 01.12.09
“Mark i really like your comment” at least there are those who haven’t forgot what got us into this mess in the first place. Joe running for office is nothing new, look back in history and find out why we opted to have our
dully elected offical’s have some form of law degree or business management in the first place. (Just because I’m an average citizen doesn’t make good for me being a senator or elected official).
19. Joe | 01.12.09
Well in a year when we had relative newcomers Sarah Palin and Barrack Obamma running for President / Vice President, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this guy as a Senator. LOL
But if you voted for either Barrack or Sarah, i don’t think you can really complain about Joe the Plumber.
20. Jimmy | 01.12.09
Sorry, Joe. It’s over. Ignorance and stupidity have had their run, and you are their poster child!It’s time to let the grown-ups run things.
21. Amused | 01.12.09
Walt- if you are truly dumb enough to equate Caroline Kennedy
with this phony moron then you deserve him for a senator. The proble is that when idiots like you vote - you can afflict us all
22. Amused | 01.12.09
Walt- if you are truly dumb enough to equate Caroline Kennedy
with this phony moron then you deserve him for a senator. The problem is that when idiots like you vote - you can afflict us all
23. BamaTexan | 01.12.09
All I see here are a bunch of “genius” comments by a bunch of wingnuts who voted for Obama. What happens when he won’t pay your utilities and mortgage for you gullible bufoons.
24. Jon Weis | 01.12.09
Anyone who seriously thinks that our current administration has lowered taxes obviously is not able to contemplate the future, or our current national debt. Our ridiculous war is costing us Billions EVERY WEEK, and extreme hawkish solutions are clearly disasters. The republicans have obviously far surpassed ’socialist radicals’ in wasteful spending, and democrats are now portraying, by contrast, a much more responsible agenda (although I have many disagreements with it). It’s a good time for republicans to retire -> just ahead of the actual consequences of their actions. These people who want to ‘pray away’ our problems are clearly demented… This last administration has bled the most money of any in history… at first it ’stimulated’ the economy by way of offering contracts to war-machine contractors. However, because those items were expendable, and we did not invest the billions into trains, effective public transport, and other efficiencies such as LED lights for our cities, we have simply wasted our past windows of opportunities.
I don’t care which ‘party’ is in charge - I simply would advocate for sane, if not brilliant, leadership.
25. J.Powl | 01.12.09
You are so right. Caroline Kennedy - Harvard University and Columbia Law School. A practicing lawyer, running for a Senate body who’s main purpose is to create law and legislate.
Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher: Fake plumber and tax cheat
My gosh ! What were we thinking? How crazy to think that an attorney, author, and crusader for human rights would possibly be qualified for public office.
27. SteveMD2 | 01.12.09
Haven’t we had enough of the party who worships the God of Greed.
The party who wanted old people to put their social security into the stock market so that when the inevitable collapse came about the old folks would starve. But wall street would have made billions, and the old folks social security money would have propped up their ponzi racket a little longer.
The party of big business (yes the dems aren’t innocent here but you make your best choice). Which has shipped so many good jobs overseas, while destroying our economy for our children.
The party of the ‘religious wrong’ who would turn our nation into a christian theocracy of the extreme right, and bring Osama Bin Ladens dream true - a worldwide conflict between people believing in different versions of God. And the end of the Earth, by our people including the Bush monstrosity, in a new Crusade of death, not unlike what christians did to the Muslims from 900 to 1500 AD - 50 million murdered in the name of God. Except today with nuclear weapons it could be done in a couple days.
But think of all the profits of the military industrial complex.
28. Arte Feb | 01.12.09
If Obama can be president, anybody can do anything. Remember, it’s not okay to put down Obama, but it IS okay to put down anybody else.
30. Ron Sampson | 01.12.09
that would be excellent if the GOP was foolish enough to run that knucklehead for something! Yet another easy win for the democrats!
31. vivifiant | 01.12.09
While Joe the Plumber might be good choice for the GOP I still hope that in 2012 we will see a Sarah Palin/Paris Hilton or Sarah Palin/Jessica Simpson ticket for president + VP … That would guarantee a win of the democrats. 
34. Chris76543 | 01.12.09
Joe the Plumber would be a good Republican senator - he’s likely more qualified than Palin - which is saying that neither is. It doesn’t really matter though since Republicans (more than senators in general) don’t do much of anything. I hope Republicans keep JP and SP out front - this may satify the Rovepublican base but will alienate normal voters and help ensure someone else wins the election.
35. VJ | 01.12.09
Oh man, is this an April Fool’s joke come early? Joe the Dumber has no business doing anything other than helping a real plumber clean his tools. There is no reason whatsoever he should be in the media or run for office other than the obvious pandering and buffoonery of the Republicans who will throw anything at a wall to see if it sticks. When will the Republicans get it through their thick heads that Joe the Dumber exemplifies the problem with their party, not the solution.
36. Drex | 01.12.09
Christian SCIENCE for one thing is an oxy moron. The second thing I have to say is in regards to the ignorant statement about the Cardinals.
If you look at the stats of the team and the structural changes over the last 3-4 years, this is no suprise what was coming. Lots of money and talent have been pumped into this team, and with the addition of their OWN home stadium they are now a ‘true’ contender in the NFL.
As for “Joe the Plumber” hes a push over, an attention hound and it would be terrible for our country to have someone like that put in a position of power.
I say no thanks. And trust me, so does the majority.
Cheers!
38. RadianChalant | 01.12.09
Why won’t Sarah Palin and Joe the Plumbbob just go away? Does Sarah Palin really think she has chance of becoming President in this reality? She has been giving interviews recently and she still sounds as ditsy as ever. She blames the media for part of her downfall. Wasn’t it she that said that she was willing to take on the media when she first started running for Vice-President? The New York Times was the first paper to rip her. Sarah and Joe, just go away….Please go away!
39. Neville1. | 01.12.09
I think there are more idiots in America,than anywhere else on this Plant,fist of all, I am beginning to understand the making up of the RNC party. They have that Nutcase from the North Pole,and they also have what is name there again Oh, Joe the Plummer that don’t even have a GED along with that unwed group of Polo-bears,now can you imagin these people being in charge of the budget,and the defence of this country. But then again these things can only happen in America,and not forgeting if you take money from the poor you get House Arrest,and you can also lie and buy a Senate seat.Only in America,this is why this country is greatest country in the World in which everyone is dying to get the America Dream.Neville1.
40. Vicki in AZ | 01.12.09
Joe Wurzelbacher is equally qualified for the govt. position when compared to the Democrat princess Caroline Kennedy being considered for Hillary’s vacated seat in NY. Actually, when compared to her, he is far more qualified because he can actually speak coherently and express a complete thought more often than once an interview. Caroline is a ridiculous, vapid mush-mouth without any depth. And, Wurzelbacher would RUN for any office (letting the people decide) rather than Princess Caroline’s being GIVEN the office because a few power-hungry Dems think she is awesome solely because of her last name and not for a twit for what she has done in her 50-plus years of a cushy life. *Snort* And Al Franken’s quals for Minnesota? An embittered comedian is qualified? I’d take the plumber over the clown and the princess any day.
41. Etaan | 01.12.09
No mention of Jerry Springer? The man is the most dynamic political speaker I’ve ever seen.
42. Jim Caruso | 01.12.09
Joe The Plumber has credentials that would make any politician envious:
-He has the highest polularity rating among Democrats and Republicans.
-He has a keen business acumen and would bring fiscal responsibility to the state.
-He has a high moral standing.
-He is respected by the business community.
He would be the most respected Republican Senator, if elected.
In short, he has my Vote!
43. gimleteye | 01.12.09
Too bad to see George V. go; he was relatively reasonable in an age of Republican madness. But Joe the Plumber? He should move to Illinois and mud wrestle Blegojavich. Sarah Palin can walk around the ring carrying the round card.
44. celeste | 01.12.09
Look-this guy is ignorant. He can’t spell simple words-I’m sure he falls short of the requirements for this high office. I’m sure the republicans can come up with a better candidate for an office of this importance. This guy has ideas, but has no evidence to support these ideas. Joe, you’re not a plumber-go home! Maybe take some classes-a little education might be good for you.
45. Bill G | 01.12.09
Anyone who thinks “Joe the Plummer” would make a good congressperson must really hate America and want it dumbed down even more than it is today. We need competent people in Washington, “Joe” (his first name is really Samual) would be a huge liability to the state of Ohio and the country.
46. Bob | 01.12.09
Can it get any worse in this country, that loud mouthed moron as a potential political anything?? Where have you gone Barry Goldwater????
47. benvictor | 01.12.09
Karma, Joe and Sarah are here to stay. Expect Joe to become Senator from the Great State of Ohio. Sarah, of course, will be an easy choice for President when this present lot is engulfed in in-fighting and inertia and the multitude of campaign promises become the fodder of the forthcoming presidential election. Joe and Sarah represent the best of America.
48. Tim B | 01.12.09
Obama was elected by wingnuts and he will destroy America, and Joe the Plumber would make a good Senator. Got it. Can there be any wonder why the GOP has had its *** handed to it for two straight elections by a party that can’t get out of its own way?
50. Frank | 01.12.09
Poor Joe-the-Fake-Plumber. He’s no friend of free speech, journalism or even common sense. Joe, go back to what you do best — asking ludicrous questions about how your non-existent income will be taxed. Instead of claiming that you watched movies DURING World War 2, try asking taking a basic journalism course.
Message to Joe-the-Fake-Journalist, enjoy those 15 minutes. But, if you plan to extend them please call Sarah Palin. I hear she needs a running mate for 2012.
51. Attila The Plumber | 01.12.09
Me thinks Joe the Plumber iz good guy an will bee a grate politition.
I no that he haz a grate educashun and knows rite from rong.
He will be my hero.
Me loves Joe the Plumber.
Ohio is lukky to have him.
What are you people thinking?!?!
OMG!
52. ScooterTrash | 01.12.09
Joe the Plumber seems to be doing a great deal of tasks that have nothing to do with getting water to your sink. He and Sarah Palin (another public mouth that doesn’t know when to shut up) should team-up and make a joint run for the 2012 Presidential run. It would be a wonderfully-degrading experience for these two *******, and would add another nail in the NeoCon coffin. They would be the best thing to happen to politics as an example of where we could end up if we don’t stop ****** around with cult-of-personality politicking. Of course, in the world of international politics - who the **** would ever take us seriously as a population again?
53. Frank | 01.12.09
For the record, I FULLY support Joe-The-Fake-Plumber in his run for the US Senate nomination for the Repuglican Party in Ohio! I want EVERYONE in Ohio to watch him fall flat on his face, just as Sarah Palin did.
Run, Joey, Run!
(P.S. I live in North Carolina.)
54. Seneca | 01.12.09
I think Joe ought to be declared a National Treasure.
And I think he should run for office of some kind every year that he can. Voting for him - or not - could be considered a simple intelligence test, just as voting for Sarah Palin as potential president of the United States was.
(Fortunately the country as a whole passed that one.)
55. Jim | 01.12.09
I think it would be wonderful if Ohio elected Joe. Ohio deserves Joe. Just think of the massive change he’d initiate.
Actually, I’m joking somewhat, at least about initiating change. Ohio has lost a HUGE amount of blue collar and manufacturing jobs over the past 8 years and it would be a huge eye opener to Joe and his constituents to think any one particular political party is to blame 
Joe is no better than Franken and Caroline and it would be a blast to watch him flail and gyrate just as you know Franken will flail and gyrate.
56. James the Democrat | 01.12.09
And the Republicans wonder why their party is in flames…You have people actually taking this idiot seriously…People are actually excited at the concept of Sarah Palin running for President in 2012…These must be the same 10 to 12 % of the public, that when polled STILL say Bush is doing a heck of a job.
57. Ryan | 01.12.09
I’m all for the “common man” rising to a position of authority, but Joe the Plumber? Give me a break. Aren’t his 15 minutes up yet?
58. Craziness | 01.12.09
Why do many of my fellow Republicans not care about the caliber of candidates we have to choose from during an election? I liked McCain, he has a lot of integrity, but people like Palin, Bush…and now possibly Joe the Plumber???? It’s important to check and make sure they have successful backgrounds. So many republicans are suckers for propaganda, especially the older voters. More and more I find my fellow Republicans to have little ability to determine who would make a good leader.
Hopefully we will have intelligent and proven leaders to vote for next time around.
Thanks
59. No Go Joe | 01.12.09
I am desperately hoping that the people who think Joe is a go for the Senate are being sarcastic; if not, what a scary statement on the intelligence of U.S. citizens. Joe was McCain’s last desperate attempt at populism, with no regard for credibility–the last nail in McCain’s un-credible coffin. Joe is a result of there being too many cameras too close to dumb people who speak too much.
60. Josh | 01.12.09
I wish Joe “good luck” in trying to beat Marcy Kaptur. She’s been in office since ‘83 and is VERY popular. Only two times has she not gotten at least 70% of the vote (and last time she still got 68%). Aside from her doing a good job, Lucas county/Toledo has voted Democrat for years (even when Ohio went to Bush in ‘04, Lucas county has voted for Kerry). Finally, most people around here (Toledo) that I talk to are more embarrassed by Joe than anything else.
61. Anti-Simon | 01.12.09
Yeah, Those darn Democrats. Their President got us into this huge deficit. Oh, wait a minute.
63. I’m Joe Too | 01.12.09
The continuing downfall of the Republican party.
Could it get any stupider?… Oh yeah
Palin - Wurzelbacher 2012!
64. Politicus | 01.12.09
Oh please please please let it be true. As a life long Democrat, I haven’t had this much fun since Dan Quayle. Palin and Plumber 2012?
65. PJSBoca | 01.12.09
Where did all of you knuckleheads veer off the track? Isn’t this article about the exodus of party line rank-and-file GOP Senate lifers giving up on a sinking ship? Who cares about JTP? That moron hasn’t yet figured out what his thumbs are for, let alone have the mental bandwidth to run for anything. Dog-catcher? Not qualified. Burger-flipper? Nope. Tax cheat? Liar? Fraud? Bingo! New name: Joe the Fibber.
The story here, cowboys, is about the emptiness of the GOP, and how little stomach most of them have the “change” that got them voted out of office in record numbers back in November. McCain, et al, had no policy positions that American voters favored, so it’s time to start over - without at least the 4 senators who refuse to seek re-election.
I would suggest an ancronym change for the Grand Old Party (GOP) to the Grand Old Re-hashers (GOR). Seems like the only recycling that interests Republicans is recycling old ideas, old fears, old bigotry, and old wars.
When someone in the GOP comes to bat with a new idea - ANYTHING - raise your hand, please.
66. Rob in SD | 01.12.09
I don’t blame the Republican party if they put the hoax up for election, because a party’s job is to win elections first, raise money second, pass partisan legislation third, and govern well last.
The people I blame are those who would vote for a Joe or Sarah. What would conservatives say if Democrats ran an unlicensed plumber with no public service experience for senate? I know what I would say: the exact same thing I say about Republicans running an unlicensed plumber with no public service experience for senate –it’s insanely irresponsible, and makes our country look foolish.
For god’s sake, stop acting so foolish. Is this really the best the Republican party can offer America?
67. Dave | 01.12.09
“Joe the plumber”? It’s more like “Sam the plumbers helper”. he has no license to do plumbing work. He is a fraud. **** fit in perfect with the G.O.P. L-O-S-E-R ’s
68. jonathan | 01.12.09
Yes, he should run along side Palin. They can be the dumb and dumber candidates!
LOL
69. Right on spot | 01.12.09
You got it right on the spot! Palin needs a skinhead to side her on her run to fuhrer in 2012.
Well, I don’t think the fascists got any hope. Obama is starting a dynasty.
It is time to extinct the GOP. We can always remind people of your hero Dubbya and they will remember the 12 Trillion bucks he wasted in Iraq, and the economic depression the GOP threw our country into…
70. jonathan | 01.12.09
Yes, he should run along side Palin. They can be the dumb and dumber candidates!
LOL
71. stephanie h. | 01.12.09
I can’t think of anything more absurd than Joe the Plumber running for senate. He’s a not so bright demogogue who should stay close to home and plumb or whatever the **** he does for a living. I’m sure the great state of Ohio deserves a lot better!
72. Dave | 01.12.09
How about a Republican ticket with Joe the apprentice plumber for President, and Bristol Palin for VP?
73. marcos Fausnaugh | 01.12.09
Yes, Joe the “phony”, nice t-shirt, no dress code? I quess his credit score and business plan did not “muster” up to buying any buisness? Just monkey business! You gotta be a plumber before you can make $250- $270 thousand taxable net income.
74. Cara | 01.12.09
You know, I’ve been waiting to hear more about this “Joe” the “Plumber” since his name came up the first time. And after reading this I’ve made a decision: In every election between now and when he dies, I’m voting for Martin Sheen. If all it takes in politics is to be memorable on tv, then why not? At least Martin Sheen can probably spell and doesn’t lie about ridiculous things like being a plumber. So I say Martin Sheen to run the world!
75. hobsry7350 | 01.12.09
Someone asked what were the qualifications to be a Senator; Amendment 17 to the US Constitution passed and ratified in 1917 states that a person:
1) Must 30 years of age;
2) A citizen of the US for 7 years;
3) A resident of the state he/she wants to represent.
Now, the founding fathers, I believe, wanted citizen participation in Congres. You could be a farmer, a baker, a silversmith and still do the contry’s business. However, with the business of the country so immense, it is right and proper to wish your repesentative to be at least somewhat knowledgeable in the runnings of the governement. In this I feel Joe the Plumber is lacking, not qualifications. Palin too.
Incidentally, I’ve got my Obama 2012 bumper sticker, right under the Kerry 2004 and Obama 2008 bumper stickers.
76. JoeAllTheWay | 01.12.09
Change is near.
Joe would be a great senatoral candidate. I would be the first one in line to vote for him in the GOP Primary.
77. “You Know” | 01.12.09
I am just shooked at how ridiculously stupid and desperate the rank and file of the GOP are to actually think JOe or Sarah Palin can help their cause. Its not that they are bad people but they are just grossly unqualified and yes, they kind of come off as stupid. Republican’s need to stop acting so desperate.
78. For the love of pete… | 01.12.09
What a horrible idea - I’m just hoping that by the time Sen. Voinovich finishes his term, the 15+ minutes of fame that Joe Wurzelbacher is bleeding out of us is over too. As a resident of Ohio, I think sending Dennis Kucinich to congress is humiliating enough.
79. Simon | 01.12.09
First of all to that first person named Simon, stop making the rest of us look stupid.
And someone wrote that he hast high approval ratings among Democrats and Republicans? What is the source of that lie?
He has high moral standing, business accumen and is respected by the business community. This is a guy who’s name is not Joe, he is not a plumber, and he doesn’t pay taxes.
Interestingly, the GOP seems to be a mix of total idiots and a few smart people. McCain was a good guy when his campaign started, and by the end you could tell he really wanted to shot Palin. Why do you people refuse to listen to the few intelligent people who share your ****** up lets-force-our-ignorant-religious-beliefs-on-everybody-else values.
I don’t know where I’m going with this. Can’t we just let the South go?
80. Matt | 01.12.09
Joe the Plumber would probably operate like GW Bush. He would make these sweeping statements that emotionally register as “truth” with a lot of Americans, but make absolutely bone-headed choices on serious matters.
Its up to the republicans themselves if they really care about running this country correctly or not.
People keep saying that Bush did an awful job as president. But it really depends who you are. If you are a drug company,defense contractor or multi-millionaire, Bush did a tremendous job. Regulations were lifted and the government sloughed off BILLIONS of tax dollars into your pockets.
If you’re an everyday Joe who does a bit of plumbing on the side, then your experience was slightly different.
81. César | 01.12.09
Please, Jimmy Orr. You are being mean to poor Joe by casting this line into his confused little brain. He might believe you!
82. Ernie | 01.12.09
For the good of the country there should be a conservative party to ensure reasoned debate on the issues. It’s time to kill off the Republican party which no longer serves that function and start a new one. I think a Palin/Joe ticket might just accomplish the first half of that good work.
83. Brian | 01.12.09
Joe, buddy, pal, I’m sure you’re a perfectly nice person. However, for the love of god, just go back to doing what you were before the McCain campaign catapulted you into superstardom. You’re not a reporter, and you’re not a politician (Believe it or not, there ARE, in fact, special talents and skills that go along with those professions.)
84. Johnny | 01.12.09
Joe the Plumber for Senator? Sarah Palin for Vice-President? Barack Obama for President? Caroline Kennedy for Senator?
Do you ever feel like you stepped into a bad episode of The Twilight Zone. In 2012 we will probably elect Bobcat Goldthwait as our next president.
85. Roger | 01.12.09
Those of usin Ohio Are like a Great Many of our counterparts in ALASKA. We would be grateful if THE NEW MEDIA COULD GROW A BRAIN & LET JOE WHOM EVER & SARAH YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME slink back in to normal life, while you find something meaningful & intellengent to report on.
86. sparrow | 01.12.09
Joe the Plumber running for the Senate? Thanks for tickling my funny bone. I was never quite sure of its exact location. Now I know. As long as we’re reading tea leaves, do I see Joe advancing to be the position of White House Press Secretary for President Palin? Not sure here. The bottom of the cup is a little cloudy, so let me turn to the Magic Eight Ball for a more definitive look into the future…
87. Leani | 01.12.09
Apparently, you find yourself quite humorous, Jimmy Orr. So I won’t bother to laugh.
88. César | 01.12.09
The Republicans have destroyed their brand by clinging to popularity over substance, smart-alleky one-liners over mature analysis, and spurious demonizing of the opposition over contribution of well thought-off problem solving strategies.
Do they really believe Sarah Palin and the popular plumber have anything to offer to America? What in **** are Republicans thinking? I have been a registered Republican since becoming a US citizen in 1999, but Obama won my vote last November.
89. César | 01.12.09
The Republicans have destroyed their brand by clinging to popularity over substance, smart-alleky one-liners over mature analysis, and spurious demonizing of the opposition over contribution of well thought-off problem solving strategies.
Do they really believe Sarah Palin and the popular plumber have anything to offer to America? What in **** are Republicans thinking? I have been a registered Republican since becoming a US citizen in 1999, but Obama won my vote last November.
90. tdub | 01.12.09
Joe the Plumber running for Senate? It’s official, the lunatic fringe of the Republican Party does have a death wish.
91. Jeremiah of Austin | 01.12.09
Wow.
In the September 2008 edition of Texas Monthly, John McCain’s former strategist, John Weaver (a realist and opponent of Karl Rove) said, “(Republican) policies are all about politics. The government is out of step with the hopes and dreams of Americans. The party is at its nadir. The president has had Nixon numbers for three years. We can’t go on being the all-male, gated-community party. We now know who our twenty-seven percent is.”
I submit it’s idiots like Joe The Plumber.
source: http://www.texasmonthly.com/2008-09-01/letterfromwashingtondc.php
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. Simon | 01.12.09
It is time for change. Joe would be a good congressman and senator. He will protect all of us from more taxing and spending by the crazy and out of control Democratic congress and BHO.