What does ‘Joe' say about politics?
Thursday, October 23, 2008 12:08 PM EDT

So, this is what the level of political discourse in America has come to:

"Joe the Plumber" doesn't have a plumber's license.

Never mind that his name isn't really Joe. Nor the fact that, as of last Thursday, the man cited by presidential contender Sen. John McCain as a citizen whom Sen. Barack Obama's tax proposal would hurt, wouldn't declare which candidate he will pick.

And never mind the unfathomable mystery that, the day after his pseudonym was mentioned by McCain in this election's last presidential debate, this "typical" taxpayer was somehow a national celebrity.

The really important fact here is that "Joe" doesn't have a plumber's license. And he owes the state of Ohio almost $1,200 in back taxes.

This is, as far as I recall, the first "political" column I have written as publisher of the Smoky Mountain Times. I tend to keep my political opinions to myself - at least in print.

But after I read the Associated Press story that revealed the above facts last Thursday, I couldn't hold my tongue (pen/ computer/ keyboard) any longer.

The story said that "Joe," a Holland, Ohio man whose real name is Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, faced two dozen reporters outside his home Thursday morning after McCain mentioned him repeatedly in last Wednesday night's final presidential debate.

Dubbing Wurzelbacher "Joe the Plumber," McCain held him up as an example of an American who would be negatively affected by Obama's plan to raise taxes on revenues of more than $250,000 a year. According to the story, Wurzelbacher had questioned Obama at a rally near Wurzelbacher's home the Sunday before. Apparently, the McCain campaign latched onto the question and its asker, and "Joe the Plumber" was born.

Of course, what the gaggle of reporters - who had apparently made a deal with Wurzelbacher that his life was now an open book - discovered that "Joe" doesn't have a plumber's license. Wurzelbacher contended that, since he works for a company (which does have a license), he doesn't need one.

But the reporters - in their dogged quest for the facts vital to American voters - learned that according to an official with the Toledo Division of Building Inspection, Wurzelbacher still would need to be a licensed apprentice or journeyman to work in Toledo.

The same official said there are no records showing that inspectors have cited Wurzelbacher for unlicensed work in Toledo.

There are records, though, showing that "Joe" owes Ohio $1,182.98 in personal income tax. Some hard-hitting investigative journalist apparently searched records at the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas to learn this.

The guardians of the public's right to know also learned that the Ohio Department of Taxation has filed a lien against Wurzelbacher's property until he pays the taxes.

I certainly admire the thorough research someone obviously put into discovering the truth about McCain's example of a typical taxpayer. But what really amazes me is this: With the nation's economy in shambles, with wars halfway across the world still draining American lives, with an educational system turning out students who are behind much of the world in some areas and an entitlement system headed toward bankruptcy, the status of Samuel J. Wurzelbacher's plumber's license and tax history grabbed such attention.

Forget what the candidates might have said - or not said - during the debate. Forget which of them might have the soundest proposals for dealing with the issues. Forget what the issues are in the first place: We've got an interview set up tomorrow with Joe the Plumber.

It's not an exclusive interview, but at least we won't get scooped.

I shouldn't have been surprised, though. This just continues the dominance of sensationalism over substance that characterizes much of American "journalism."

In fairness to the media, I will say that the reporters might have chosen to focus on Wurzelbacher over what the candidates said in the debate is that, in my opinion, the candidates didn't say much beyond a he-said, he-said back-and-forth.

But that's a column for another day.

For now, I just hope Mr. Wurzelbacher - whom I suppose henceforth will be known as Joe - gets his plumber's license and taxes straightened out.

After all, the media is watching.

- Clay Wilson, Publisher

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