Jae C. Hong/Associated Press
If Joe the Plumber seemed too good to be true, a perfect Republican emblem for the hard-working, small business owner who’d get shafted under Barack Obama’s tax plan, that’s because he is too good to be true.
A New York Times report reveals that Joe the Plumber—the Ohio plumber who made national news and was mentioned two dozen times during last night’s debate—is actually Samuel the Plumber. His real name isn’t Joe Wurzelbacher, as it was originally reported by Fox News. It’s spelled a bit differently, with an “o”— Samuel Joseph Worzelbacher.
Perhaps he gave a slightly different spelling to throw reporters off the fact that he:
1. Isn’t a licensed plumber.
2. Doesn’t belong to the local plumber’s union.
3. Feigned that he’s really on-the-fence in the election when he voted Republican in March.
4. Actually owes back taxes and has at least one outstanding tax lien of over $1000.
Whoops.
He also told Katie Couric that he cornered Obama hoping to get a straight answer, and got a tap dance, instead. He added: “Almost as good as Sammy Davis Jr.” He might as well said, “that negro sure can sing!”
So, let’s review: the classic Everyman that everyone was looking to as a measure of the average guy’s thinking, who seemed to have an honest question for his honest dilemma, is actually a Republican who isn’t honest at all.
Say it ain’t, so, Joe.