Posted on 10/16/2008 3:48:21 PM PDT by Chet 99
HOLLAND, Ohio (CBS) ― Republican John McCain said Thursday that 'Joe the Plumber,' whose questions about Democrat Barack Obama's tax policy became a centerpiece of the final presidential debate, was the real winner of the televised forum.
But it turns out that 'Joe The Plummer' doesn't have a plumbing license, owes back taxes, makes less than $250,000 a year and is a registered Republican, according to television, newspaper and wire service reports Thursday.
Joe Wurzelbacher, 34, of Holland, Ohio was cited by McCain in Wednesday evening's debate as an example of someone who wants to buy a plumbing business but would be hurt by Barack Obama's tax plans.
But the county Wurzelbacher and his currently employer live in, Lucas County, requires plumbers to have licenses. And neither Wurzelbacher nor his employer are licensed there, said Cheryl Schimming of Lucas County Building Regulations, which handles plumber licenses in parts of the county outside Toledo.
Wurzelbacher also owes the state of Ohio almost $1,200 in back income taxes, according to Bloomberg News.
Records on file with the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas show that the state filed a tax lien against Samuel Joesph Wurzelbacher (Joe's full legal name) for $1,182.98 on Jan. 26, 2007, and it remains in effect.
Despite portraying himself in some media accounts as an independent or undecided voter, it appears that 'Joe the Plumber' is a longtime, registered Republican.
Wurzelbacher's hometown newspaper, The Toledo Blade, said that Lucas County Board of Elections records show he's been on the voter rolls since 1992 and is a registered Republican. He most recently voted in Ohio's March 2008 GOP primary.
Ironically, Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden began his day Thursday on the morning network news programs questioning whether 'Joe the Plumber' was "real."
"John [McCain] continues to cling to the notion of this guy Joe the plumber," Biden said according to Politico. "I don't have any Joe the plumbers in my neighborhood that make $250,000 a year."
It seems Biden was right. CNN reported Thursday that Wurzelbacher acknowledged he makes a lot less than $250,000 and knows that he wouldn't be impacted by Obama's tax plan.
The smears start now...
The Lamestream Media is coming down hard on Joe the Plumber, just like they did with Palin.
How dare anyone question their Messiah?
panic!!!!!
i LOVE it
And how about this Ayres character, what you got on him seeBS?
It was Obama’s Marxist spread the wealth around answer that is the focus not Joe.
Welcome to the world of the working man, CBS. LOTS of people have trouble paying their taxes, and if Obama wins, there’ll be a lot more of them.
The Jezebels and Ahabs of the media continue to attack and show themselves for what they are. Will they stop before the dogs eat their flesh?
I’ll bet Joe could produce his birth certificate if asked.
Let that be a lesson to anybody who might stand up and question “The One”. They will come after you, and you will be destroyed.
Joe needs to call another presser and blast the vermin digging into his life, and blast Obamaramadingdong as a brownshirt.
Of course he’s a Republican. Democrats all work for the government
Seeing the MSM (aka Obama) attacking Joe the Plumber is going to backfire on them. Too many middle class voters identify with him.
I believe the business he wants to buy brings in 250k a year. I hope this guy sues them for libel or slander. He is a private citizen.
Hey, all those investigators back from Alaska needed something to do.
I cannot believe the level these people stoop to!
LEAVE OUR JOE ALONE!
This is the media's way of telling Americans that they should not attempt the political game at home. IOW, it's only for the "professionals" (read: elite, Ivy Leaguer, wealthy beltway types).
cbs probably got the info from national guard diaries..
How does any of this have anything to do with the question he asked O’Stalin and the communist answer O’Stalin gave?
Also, how in the heck do the Stalinists think that it will help them with the blue collar vote by bashing Joe? Maybe they don’t care and just want to send a message that you don’t dare embarass the chosen one.
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