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Joe the Plumber

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Joe Wurzelbacher
Born (1973-12-03) December 3, 1973 (age 51)
Other namesJoe the Plumber
CitizenshipUnited States
Occupationassistant to plumbing contractor
EmployerNewell Plumbing & Heating (A. W. Newell Inc.)

Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher (born December 3, 1973), best known as Joe the Plumber, is an American employee of Newell Plumbing & Heating, a plumbing firm, and a resident of Holland, Ohio.[1] Wurzelbacher was mentioned by Republican United States Senator John McCain and Democratic Senator Barack Obama at least 23 times[2][3] during the third and final presidential debate on October 15, 2008.[4]

Encounter with Barack Obama

On October 11, 2008, four days before the final presidential debate, Obama met residents in Wurzelbacher's Ohio neighborhood.[1] Wurzelbacher, who had been playing football with his son in his front yard at the time, asked Obama about his tax plan.[1] As a Fox News Channel camera maintained tight focus on the interaction, Wurzelbacher said he was upset about his interpretation of Obama's tax plan and suggested that such a plan would be at odds with "the American dream".[5] Wurzelbacher said, "I’m getting ready to buy a company that makes $250,000 to $280,000 a year. Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn’t it?"[6] Wurzelbacher suggested that making more money should not result in paying a higher tax rate and asked Obama whether he would support a flat tax plan.

Obama responded with an explanation of how his tax plan would affect a small business in this bracket. Obama stated, "If your revenue is above $250[K], then from $250[K] down, your taxes are going to stay the same. It is true that for $250[K] up, ..., you'd go from 36% to 39%, which is where it was under Bill Clinton."[7]

Regarding the flat tax Obama said,

I would be open to it, but here's the problem with a flat tax: ... in order for it to work and replace all the revenue that was got [replace all the revenue that is currently being received], you'd probably end up having to make it like a 40% sales tax.[8]

Obama also said,

It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance at success, too. And I think that when we spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.[9]

Steve Schmidt, McCain's chief campaign strategist, commented that this statement would be a focus of their campaign in its final weeks.[10]

Press coverage

Asked by Katie Couric of CBS Evening News on October 15, whether Obama's proposed $250,000 tax threshold would affect him, Wurzelbacher replied: "Not right now at presently, but, you know, question, so he's going to do that now for people who make $250,000 a year. When's he going to decide that $100,000 is too much, you know? I mean, you're on a slippery slope here. You vote on somebody who decides that $250,000 and you're rich? And $100,000 and you're rich? I mean, where does it end?"[11] He also said, “I asked the question but I still got a tap dance ... almost as good as Sammy Davis, Jr.”[11]

On October 16, Wurzelbacher appeared on Your World with Neil Cavuto on Fox News. Cavuto asked if Wurzelbacher was persuaded by Obama's plan. Wurzelbacher said that he was not and that he was more frightened upon hearing it. Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's plan was socialist in nature.[5]

Wurzelbacher also appeared on Good Morning America the day following the debate (October 16). Diane Sawyer asked him if he was taking home $250,000 now, Wurzelbacher said with a laugh "No, not even close."[12] Sawyer asked Wurzelbacher, "And the McCain camp, some people have said did they contact you and tell you that you were going to be a major part of this, and had they contacted you before that encounter with Senator Obama?" Wurzelbacher answered, "Oh no, no, no one's contacted me as far as if I was going to be on the debate or as far as my name being used. No. I have been contacted by them and asked to show up at a rally. But, other than that, no. I just happened to be here and Barack Obama just happened to show up."[12]

Wurzelbacher held a press conference at his home the morning following the debates, where he refused to express support for either candidate. "I'm not telling anybody anything" about which candidate he prefers, he said, adding, "It's a private booth. I want the American people to vote for who they want to vote for."[13] He reportedly had been registered in 1992 under the name "Samuel Joseph Worzelbacher".[14] He told an Associated Press reporter that in the most recent Republican primary, he backed McCain.[15]

Plumbing career and licensing issues

Wurzelbacher is one of two employees of a small plumbing firm, Newell Plumbing and Heating Co. of Toledo.[6] This is the company he described to Obama as making more than $250,000 per year;[15] however, according to Bloomberg News, even if Wurzelbacher bought the company making the earnings he believed, by the time he took proper business deductions he'd be left with between $150,000 and $200,000 in taxable income and wouldn't be affected by Obama's proposed increase in the top rates.[16] MSNBC reported that "Ohio business records show the company’s estimated total annual revenue as only $100,000. Actual taxable income would be even less than that."[17] Wurzelbacher reported that the idea of buying the company was discussed during his job interview six years prior.[1]

An Associated Press article revealed that Wurzelbacher does not have a plumber's license or apprenticeship.[18] Wurzelbacher told reporters he did not need a license because he worked under Al Newell’s license, the owner of the firm. His employer does hold licenses with the State of Ohio and City of Toledo, but not with Lucas County. Wurzelbacher's employer would not be allowed to work in Lucas County outside of Toledo without a county license.[1][15] Ohio building code requires plumbers who perform work including sanitary drainage, water supply, storm drainage, and natural gas piping, to have licenses.[19] Local 50 of the United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics, whose membership endorsed Obama, indicated that Wurzelbacher applied for an apprentice program in 2003 but never completed the work.[20]

In his interview on ABC's Good Morning America on October 16, Wurzelbacher stated that his two current plumbing jobs were for a gas station and for a shopping center, Levis Commons.[12]

Tax Issues

There are two judgement liens against Wurzelbacher for non-payment of income taxes. Barb Loisie, deputy clerk of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, explains that "there is a 99 percent chance he doesn't know about the lien."[21]

In an October interview, Wurzelbacher said, "You know a lot of the stuff that our government is doing right now is all about taxation without representation and you know the last time that happened a couple guys got together and threw the Brits out."[22]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Vellequette, Larry (October 16, 2008). "'Joe the plumber' isn't licensed". Toledo Blade. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Saine, Cindy (16 October 2008). "'Joe the Plumber' - Unexpected Star of US Presidential Debate". Voice of America: VoA News.
  3. ^ ""Mentioned 26 times, 'Joe the Plumber' becomes a national fixture"". Indiana Express.com. 2008-10-17. Retrieved 2008-10-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ ""America's Overnight Sensation Joe the Plumber Owes $1,200 in Taxes"". ABC News. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b Rohter, Larry (October 15, 2008). "Plumber From Ohio Is Thrust Into Spotlight". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  6. ^ a b Rohter, Larry. (2008-10-16). "Real Deal on 'Joe the Plumber' Reveals New Slant". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  7. ^ "YouTube video 'Joe the Plumber'". 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  8. ^ "LiveLeak video 'Complete Joe the Plumber video'". 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  9. ^ Fouhy, Beth (15 October 2008). "McCain, Obama get tough, personal in final debate". The Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  10. ^ Nagourney, Adam (2008-10-16). "Polls Cause Campaigns to Change Their Itineraries". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-17. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ a b ""Joe The Plumber's Chat With Couric"". CBS News. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ a b c ""Meet Joe the Plumber"". ABC News. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ Mehta, Seema (16 October 2008). "'Joe the Plumber' still a topic for McCain, Obama". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-10-16. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ Bridget Tharp and Mark Zaborney (2008-10-16). ""'Joe the Plumber' is focus of presidential debate's first few minutes"". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  15. ^ a b c Seewer, John (16 October 2008). "'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license". The Associated press. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  16. ^ Donmoyer, Ryan J. (2008-10-16). "'Joe the Plumber,' Obama Tax-Plan Critic, Owes Taxes". Bloomberg.com. New York, New York: Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  17. ^ "'Joe the plumber' and Obama's tax plan". msnbc.com. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  18. ^ ""Is 'Joe the Plumber' a plumber? That's debatable"". Yahoo. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "Ohio Plumbing License". National Contractors Pre-Licensing Services, Inc. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  20. ^ Barnes, Robert. "After Debate, Glare Of Media Hits Joe". Washington Post. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
  21. ^ "Joe the Plumber Takes Center Stage at Final Presidential Debate", ABC News, October 16, 2008
  22. ^ 'Who is "Joe the Plumber"?', KARE11, October 16, 2008


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