Joe “The Plumber” Wurzelbacher doesn’t have much love for John McCain. 

Wurzelbacher – who McCain turned into a working-class hero during the campaign – told conservative radio host Glenn Beck yesterday that he felt “dirty” during his time on the trail with McCain. “I honestly felt even more dirty after I had been on the campaign trail and seen some things that take place,” said Wurzelbacher, “It was scary, man.” The experience may have frightened him, but not as much as an Obama presidency, he said, which is why he kept up appearances with McCain. And it wasn’t always easy.

Wurzelbacher also told Beck that he had asked McCain questions about the government bailout and definitely didn’t like what he heard, “[His answers] appalled me, absolutely. You know, I was angry. In fact, I wanted to get off the bus after I talked to him.” There was one bright light on the road, however: Sarah Palin, whom Wurzelbacher showered with praise: 

I only got to spend a short amount of time with her but, you know, it has been asked if I felt any presence when I was with John McCain or Barack Obama. You know, with Sarah Palin, I don’t want to say I felt a presence but she definitely had energy and she definitely went to work for American people, and it disgusts me on how often they try to bash her just for her sincerity. It’s just, you know, she really wants to work for America and I mean, I wish people would listen to her and let them, and let her work for us. You know, she wants to serve us. She’s not looking for power.  

In case you’re wondering why Wurzelbacher’s rehashing bad memories, the answer’s simple: he has a book coming out later this month. It’s called Joe the Plumber: Fighting for the American Dream. Oh,yes — Wurzelbacher’s a perfect example of a true American hero: Pretend to like a man you despise and then trash talk him in the press. Truly, truly commendable. Our troops have nothing on you, Joe!

Here’s the audio in video form. Give it a listen …