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A Friend Stopped By | 10/25/2008 8:20 am

Who Gives a ____ What 'Joe the Plumber' Thinks?!

Editor’s Note: A longtime journalist, Margo Howard went into the family business (her mother was the fabled Ann Landers) in the 1990s as Dear Prudence. Her broad experience and understanding of human nature provide answers for the troubled — and entertainment for everyone else. Click here to read her column on Yahoo!

A BIG Drudge headline blared the following: JOE THE PLUMBERSCARED FOR AMERICAIF OBAMA PRESIDENT.

Well, who gives a rat’s ass about what this man thinks? And what’s wrong with Drudge that he gives credence to this schmo? Is he our new expert on the body politic?

I, frankly, don’t give a damn about his opinion – for a lot of reasons. First of all, his name isn’t even "Joe;" he’s not a licensed plumber; he lied about belonging to a union; and he had no intention of buying a business that would earn him $250,000 a year. And assuming his name were Joe, that he had a plumber’s license, that he did belong to the union, and was actually considering buying a business that would earn him a quarter of a mil a year, I still wouldn’t place him in the category of people whose opinion merited ink. (And don’t you think that a guy who had been discredited in everything he said would be consigned to the rubbish bin of media-worthy bloviaters? Guess not.)

And secondly, that kind of "man on the street" crap is demeaning. It reminds me of how we used to refer to our Lab as "Alice the dog." It is, furthermore, condescending to refer to people with only a first name followed by their job description — especially so when done by a senator, or anyone in a superior position. Have you heard of anyone referring to President Bush as "George, the government guy?"

As for this clown making headlines on Drudge, it is ludicrous. I doubt that he even speaks for the odiously named Joe Six-pack. This is just one more example of the intellectual cleansing we have somehow been subjected to. Shape up, Matt Drudge, and find some more authoritative sources. And "Joe," go back to fixing toilets.

659 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

OMGIAMGOING NUTS
Joe the plumber” ‘only’ asked a question. “That one” answered. Doesn’t sound like too many AGREE with “that one’s” answer. (so they intend to try to shut up the person who asked the question) You can try and discredit Joe as much as you want. The fact remains is this, “spread the wealth” is ‘one’ the biggest screw ups of this entire campaign. LOVEEEEEEEEE it! GO JOE!
By OMGIAMGOING NUTS on 10/25/2008 9:13 am
DeBúrca obj
McCain exploited “Joe” the “Plumber” by using his name 20 times during the debate. The fact that the McCain camp failed, yet again, to do proper vetting before use, blew up in both the faces of McCain AND Joe the P… when it was discovered that 1) He is not a licensed plumber, 2) He did pay his taxes, and 3) Joe the P would actually SAVE money under the Obama tax plan. Don’t you worry about anyone spreading the wealth… they’ve already spent our money in Iraq and on the Big Wall Street Bailout… meanwhile the only “wealth” being spread is the millions STILL going to the CEOs of those Lending Institutions which were bailed out.
By DeBúrca obj on 10/25/2008 11:47 am
DeBúrca obj
TYPO correction: 2) He DIDN’T pay his taxes,
By DeBúrca obj on 10/25/2008 11:48 am
Dona Howlett
DeBurca, I just read that “Joe the Plumber” is going to run for Congress in 2010………….. The Trickle down theory does work…………..It’s called Dumber and dumber and dumber. What we don’t need is another President or Administration run by someone WHO is DUMB. WE JUST HAD EIGHT (8) years of administration by the DUMBEST (George Bush) President this Country has ever had. I want someone who is Highly Intelligent…….Elite…………Sophisticated………….Knowledgeable Personable………warm………..caring………..interested……………. Actually I want the very best a person can be……….. to be the qualifictions for the President of the USA
By Dona Howlett on 10/25/2008 5:49 pm
DeBúrca obj
As much as I hope and pray Obama is our next president because I believe he, by far, will do the best to lead this country at this very difficult and pivotal time, there is another, even more important reason he must win for the good of this country. John McCain’s use of Rovian, mudslinging, smear tactics and rhetoric meant to divide the American people and speak to our most base qualities and fear… simply cannot succeed, yet again, after the eight years of it we’ve had with Bush. I truly believe these tactics must not succeed if this country is to survive in one piece.
By DeBúrca obj on 10/25/2008 6:02 pm
Frannie Em
DeBurca What is a multimillion dollar campaign doing attacking an average citizen that has the civil right to ask a politician a question. The problem is it got caught on tape and now the campaign is using all it’s might to destroy an average citizen. The practice of using the stories of citizens goes way back. Pres Clinton was great at it, so was Reagan. But how much media has gone into destroying a guy that has the right to ask questions? This is ludicrous. What is happening to our civil rights. Do you really think Obama would want him attacked in that way? His campaign seem predatory and that is becoming a turn off for some. 1. Joe the plumber’s middle name is Joseph. He goes by Joe. My middle name is Frances, I go by Frances or Frannie 2. Joe, along with many other citizens, owes back taxes. It is not unusual - just ask the IRS 3. If you are employed by someone else you don’t need to have a business license, our cabinet makers work under our license 4. If Joe has a dream to buy his boss’ business and make $250,000 per year, what is wrong with that? We have thought about selling our business to an employee when we retire. 5. For a campaign to invest in going after a private citizen is predatory an frightening.
By Frannie Em on 10/27/2008 9:17 pm
Kryssi K
I actually see what you are saying (and even agree) and I THANK YOU for being able to articulate your opinion constructively without INSULTING AND PERSONALLY ATTACKING EVERYONE WHO IS VOTING FOR OBAMA. Please post MORE, Frannie, so some of the “ladies” here can see how it’s done! =)
By Kryssi K on 10/27/2008 10:24 pm
Frannie Em
Hi Kryssi Thanks Kryssi, you are kind. I appreciate that. Someone is going to win and someone is going to lose, but whoever wins will be my president. I can live with either of them. We will be all right.
By Frannie Em on 10/29/2008 12:07 am
Ro H
Am I the only one who seems to have caught on, here. ??? “Joe the Plumber” was not a real person, until McCain decided to use the terminology, tactic, maneuver, etc.
By Ro H on 10/31/2008 8:17 am
Frannie Em
Ro? Where have you been? Joe is a real person. Do you think it is a conspiracy or something? You have got to be kidding. Yes, McCain grabbed hold of the fact that in his answer to Joe, Obama said “I just want to spread the wealth, man.” Along with a handshake and a pat on Joe’s shoulder. It is on tape. McCain used it as proof that Obama wants to take from some, that are already paying a hefty income tax, and give it to others. It has never worked very well before. There has been welfare and social programs for over 40 years and everyone believes we need to spend more money on them, why haven’t these programs worked? Something is wrong with a bureaucracy that spends more money on itself than it does on the people it is supposed to help. Don’t get me wrong, I believe affirmative action was and is necessary, but they have become so mired in bureaucracy that they are costing us a fortune. I believe we have to really take a look and clean it up. How many millions, or billions have been spent across this nation to change the end of the story for lower income families, yet they say there continues to be a huge gap between the rich and the poor. The machine has gotten too big with outdated thinking and programs. Now we want to make them bigger? The bigger the programs get, the worse the people do. WE need jobs and safer schools, and safer neighborhoods where families can strive and live without strife. Just throw more money at something that isn’t working? I don’t see the change in that. This is a presidential campaign, this is what goes on. You know it and so do I.
By Frannie Em on 10/31/2008 7:52 pm
Ro H
Frannie, You are so right - after I posted, I thought back and said to myself, “Self. It was the guy in the audience..” However, I stand by the concept that it is just another ploy, play on ideologies, and of no consequence to Mr. McCain. My impression of JM is that he has caught the gold ring, and doesn’t care where or, how he gets the ‘gold key’ henceforth. I used to really admire him. After watching and hearing him during this election, I have no respect for the man. The ‘machine’ which you refer to is, in my opinion, the tactics of Rove and Cheney. Not too sure about Cheney anymore… I have never experienced so much hatred being used as a weapon against another party as when the Repbs were in the majority in the Congress… Agree or no, the slant was so extreme, I was appalled at just how manipulative they were, and with a majority, or control of all branches, they could have been a bit more tolerable. And, a bit more conscientious… It is still America in which they ALL serve! Regardless of the political slant - some things are simply more important than who gets the biggest piece of pie, and how much is served at one time. Frannie, we have agreed in the past - not on everything - but, we have been in agreement before.
By Ro H on 10/31/2008 11:06 pm
Frannie Em
Ro I think you are completely right about Rove and Cheney. It is evident that McCain has hired some of the people that smeared him in 2000, and he really wants to win. I believe both machines are doing what they do, and it is never very kind. It gets too ugly for my taste. I remember when the repubs thought that Clinton (who I voted for) was the akin to the devil. Always negative. Joe could be a plant, but that is why I think the dems should have left it alone. I am self employed, so I have had to take a real long look at all of this stuff. I don’t like one party having control of both the executive and legislative branches, I think there is more balance when they are divided in power. If Obama wins then I would like to see congress more balanced with republicans (but I don’t think that will happen) or with more conservative dems would work for me. That is just the way I am. Who knows what will happen. I can’t wait until it is over. When the repubs had control of both branches, they overspent and were rife with corruption. That is why I like the balance between the executive and legislative. you are so right “some things are simply more important that who gets the biggest piece of pie.” The need to start serving we the people who pay the bills.
By Frannie Em on 11/02/2008 1:49 am
Maizie James
Hello Frannie: As usual, your comments are well thought out. I would, however, point out that it is John McCain who has continued to use ‘Joe the Plumber’ continuously in almost every speech he gives - a euphemism for the average American who might suffer under Obama’s proposed economic (tax) reforms. Thus, in my opinion, it is the McCain campaign which “… seems predatory and that is becoming a turn off for some.” As for Samuel Joseph ___________, I wish him all the best. Incidentally, I also use my middle name with family and friends. My middle name is Lucille.
By Maizie James on 10/27/2008 11:53 pm
Frannie Em
Maizie I love both your names. Yep, ol’ McCain is using Joe the Plumber, wouldn’t you? He has used him on every occasion he can. He keeps dropping he name and the news organizations pick it up but not to be kind. I would have never wanted to be caught up in all of this. I think McCain grabbed a chance when he saw it, and I agree it is overused, but the Obama campaign has made a concerted effort to “discount” Joe’s issue. They got info on the guy and came back immediately putting the McCampaign down for not vetting the guy, and then exposed all of Joe’s weaknesses. I would have just left it alone, or addressed it differently. Why would they come down on Joe so hard?
By Frannie Em on 10/29/2008 12:04 am
DeBúrca obj
You are missing the entire point. “Joe the Plumber” was used by McCain 20 times in the debate to make a point. Turns out McCain yet again, blew it and didn’t do his homework. Fact is, “Joe” would do better under Obama’s tax plan.
By DeBúrca obj on 10/28/2008 10:23 am