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Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher from Holland, Ohio, a city in the Toledo area, is an employee of A. W. Newell Corp, a plumbing firm. Wurzelbacher was brought up by Sen. John McCain and referred to 23 times (usually as "Joe the Plumber") during the third and final 2008 U.S. Presidential Debate with Sen. Barack Obama.

Encounter with Barack Obama

A few days before the October 15, 2008 presidential debate, while Obama was campaigning in Ohio, Wurzelbacher approached him with a question concerning the Senator's tax plan. Wurzelbacher was upset about his interpretation of Obama's tax plan and suggested that such a plan would be at odds with "the American dream". Wurzelbacher claimed he was "getting ready to buy a company that makes 250 to 280 thousand dollars a year” which would move him into the higher tax bracket, and felt that he should not have to pay higher taxes as a result. 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. He stated,

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.

In an interview with Katie Couric immediately after the debate Wurzelbacher told Couric: “I asked the question but I still got a tap dance... almost as good as Sammy Davis, Jr.”

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?"

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. Cavuto encouraged him by suggesting that he was impressive for stepping up to Obama and pressing his concerns without becoming 'star struck'. Cavuto also said, "You're my kind of plumber."

Wurzelbacher also appeared on Good Morning America the day following the debate on Oct.16, 2008. Diane Sawyer asked him if he was taking home $250,000 now, Wurzelbacher said with a laugh "No, not even close." Sawyer asked Wurzelbacher if he had been contacted by the McCain Campaign before his encounter with Obama. Wurzelbacher said "I have been contacted by them and asked to show up at a rally"

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."

Career

An Associated Press article revealed that Wurzelbacher does not have a plumber's license or apprenticeship. He claimed he does not need a license because he works for someone else. Wurzelbacher said he is the sole employee of a small plumbing firm: Newell Plumbing and Heating Co. of Toledo, described to Obama as making more than $250,000 per year. He reported that the idea of buying the company was discussed during his job interview six years prior. According to MSNBC, "While Wurzelbacher told Obama that he would be taxed at a higher rate because the company grossed more than $250,000 a year, Ohio business records show the company’s estimated total annual revenue as only $100,000. Actual taxable income would be even less than that."

One of the locals said:

If there's a plumber or pipefitter making more than $250,000, we want to know where he's working.

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. Both are commercial enterprises. The county Wurzelbacher and his employer live in, Lucas County, does require plumbers who perform work including sanitary drainage, water supply, storm drainage, and natural gas piping, to have licenses. 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.

Political affiliation

Although Wurzelbacher initially claimed to be "undecided" in his political affiliation, he is, in fact, a registered Republican and McCain supporter.

Prior tax history

There is a judgement lien against Wurzelbacher for non-payment of income taxes. Barb Losie, deputy clerk of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, said, "There is a 99 percent chance he doesn't even know about the lien" (with respect to the county).

In an 16 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."

References

1. ^ 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. ^ ""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)
4. ^ Rohter, Larry (October 15, 2008). "Plumber From Ohio Is Thrust Into Spotlight". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
5. Fouhy, Beth (15 October 2008). "McCain, Obama get tough, personal in final debate". The Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
6. ^ ""Joe The Plumber's Chat With Couric"". CBS News. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
7. ^ ""Meet Joe the Plumber"". ABC News. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
8. ^ 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)
9. ^ Seewer, John (16 October 2008). "'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license". The Associated press. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
10. ""'Joe the plumber' and Obama's tax plan"". MSNBC. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
11. ""Election star "Joe the Plumber" lacks license"". stv.tv. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
12. "Ohio Plumbing License". National Contractors Pre-Licensing Services, Inc. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
13. 'Who is "Joe the Plumber"?', KARE11, October 16, 2008

• Current events
• United States presidential election, 2008
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• People from Lucas County, Ohio
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