# Joe the Plumber Jumps Shark **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 16, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271 "2008-10-16T21:18:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/81 "2008-10-18T16:03:36Z")
I keep waiting for one of these pundits to state the obvious and relevant fact that the biggest challenge to Joe the Plumber owning his own his business right now is the credit crunch. I’m baffled that nobody has brought that up. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/82 "2008-10-18T19:40:55Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > Have we really seen “the Democrats”–that is, the actual candidates and their surrogates–attack this guy? I’ve seen a lot of poking from the traditional media, and some ragging in the blogosphere, but out there where most voters get their info I don’t think he’s being actively demonized. (I could be wrong.) I’m curious about this too. I just saw a snippet from a McCain rally today where he accuses Obama’s campaign of attacking the guy. I haven’t seen that and I don’t think I will. Oh, and McCain also said (paraphrasing) that “We’ve learned more about Obama’s tax plan from Joe than we’ve learned from Obama himself after months of speeches.” I really need to stop watching the news channels. I’m back to hating McCain again. ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/83 "2008-10-18T20:21:03Z")
[Then you’ll hate this](http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/18/campaign.wrap/index.html) . Palin is using JTP as some kind of embarrassment for Obama. But Obama already explained how JTP, who by the way is not going to be buying that business anytime soon, wouldn’t suffer under his plan. I don’t recall anything from the Obama campaign bringing him up either. If he’s investigated its because McPalin keeps bringing him up. Its a distraction, and I think its kind of slimy. Talk about how you’re going to help people, don’t use this idiot of a maybe plumber to smear your opponent. the only thing that tells me is that you got nuthin’, McCain/Palin. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2008, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/84 "2008-10-20T05:24:05Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Oh, and Democrats - way to rally support among those blue-collar workers you’re trying to attract. I’m sure demonizing this guy will make all the rest of the plumbers and laborers and electricians want to just come running to vote for you. For what it’s worth, my father-in-law, who has been a plumber all his life, thinks JtP is a total tool. He’s angry that the guy is working without a license, and contemptuous that he thinks he can run a business when he obviously doesn’t understand much about business, however much he might or might not know about plumbing. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2008, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/85 "2008-10-20T05:30:54Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > He has his own [Wikipedia page](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Wurzelbacher). [And T-shirt with his campaign slogan for his 2012 Presidential run.](http://www.zazzle.com/wurzelbacher_for_president_2012_shirt-235883960021538932)😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gotterfunken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/58956e/32.png) [@Gotterfunken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gotterfunken)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2008, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/86 "2008-10-20T06:23:21Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > The question could have been asked by a talking rabbit, and it wouldn’t have mattered. True, but if McCain then tried to adopt the talking rabbit as the representative of “the American small business owner” in his campaign, then I don’t see a problem with people questioning whether or not that rabbit really is, in fact, a small business owner who would be affected adversely by Obama’s tax policies. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2008, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/87 "2008-10-20T15:09:33Z")
Joe the Plumber will go down in history as an essential American of the times, right thee with Joey Butt-a-fucko and Mr. Bobbit. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2008, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/88 "2008-10-20T15:15:16Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > I’m curious about this too. I just saw a snippet from a McCain rally today where he accuses Obama’s campaign of attacking the guy. I haven’t seen that and I don’t think I will. Oh, and McCain also said (paraphrasing) that “We’ve learned more about Obama’s tax plan from Joe than we’ve learned from Obama himself after months of speeches.” > > I really need to stop watching the news channels. I’m back to hating McCain again. I’m listening to the Wrinkly Old Guy blathering on about the attacks right now. Can someone come up with ONE example of an attack on Joe “Plumber’s Butt” the Plumber? ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2008, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/89 "2008-10-20T15:16:31Z")
By “attacked” they mean “caught.” ---
**Author:** ![Peanut\_Gallery](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/838e76/32.png) [@Peanut\_Gallery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanut_Gallery)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2008, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/90 "2008-10-25T13:31:00Z")
[http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/25/joe-plumber-considers-run-congress/](http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/25/joe-plumber-considers-run-congress/) Maybe he can be Palin’s VP one day! I think he should go ahead and legally change his name to Joe Plumber. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/91 "2008-10-29T22:20:49Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > Joe the Plumber will go down in history as an essential American of the times, right thee with Joey Butt-a-fucko and Mr. Bobbit. Do you mean, perhaps, like some sort of [American…Idol?](http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/15072.html) :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/92 "2008-10-30T01:09:01Z")
This fucking douchenozzle has hired a publicity snake to promote…are you ready…a recording artist contract! And he’s decided that he is qualified to answer questions from people in the audience, apparently. The guy is a fucking scam artist. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/93 "2008-10-30T02:02:05Z")
> [@Tenebras](#): > > Wait, I thought it was Alabama where you have sex with your relatives. > > So confused. No, Ohio just sucks. - **Guinastasia** , lifelong PA resident. (Go Steelers!) **Sam** , after this campaign is over, all that Joe is going to be fit for is low-budget porn. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/94 "2008-10-30T03:00:23Z")
If you want to see the the reason why Toledo is such a crazy political clusterfuck, and radical hotbed, as well as a great gaping black hole of sucking republicanism outside of Joe the Plumber, You need only Google [Tom Noe](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Tom+Noe) and [Jon Stainbrook](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Jon+Stainbrook). I sense a disturbance in the Force and I think it’s Stainbrook. I got a sneaking suspicion this maniac is controlling Joe’s Puppet strings, especially with this new news of a recording contract. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/95 "2008-10-30T05:11:45Z")
Don’t remember where I read this, but the Pit is a cite-free zone, so what the hey… Idea being that he was a d-minus local celebrity as a caller to the local tighty righty radio talk. Which brings the question of motivation: was it his idea to try to be a dick to Obama, or was he egged on? Still, its funny watching the stupid mo-fo trying to figure some way to turn his gossamer celebrity into a solid investment. Checks with zeros. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/96 "2008-10-30T05:27:07Z")
I got no problem with Joe cashing in, should be the least for his troubles. But I think Joe has a jock ego, never sated. Now, when he starts spouting the lies… he can’t stop. The guy is a typical Republican tool and opportunist, he sold hismself out. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/97 "2008-10-30T05:29:02Z")
Integrity. Joe the Plumber never had it, never will have. ---
**Author:** ![Carl\_Corey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Carl\_Corey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carl_Corey)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/98 "2008-10-30T18:35:17Z")
Oh, this is good. Apparently Joe the Plumber was supposed to show at a McCain rally. He didn’t. McCain even called out to him, expecting Joe to be there. [http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/joes-a-no-show-at-mccain-rally/](http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/joes-a-no-show-at-mccain-rally/) I guess Joe is too busy going for a recording contract. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/99 "2008-10-30T19:05:25Z")
What does it mean to Joe the Plumber’s value when even a Fox News Guy rips him and emphatically calls him wrong about Obama being Israel’s death knell? Here is the YouTube link of [Shep Smith grills Joe the Plumber on Israel](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eSJuWgZGYo) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/100 "2008-10-30T19:22:24Z")
> [@Carl\_Corey](#): > > I guess Joe is too busy going for a recording contract. And don’t forget his quest for a book deal. Working title: My five minutes of fame as a douchebag Republican shill. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271.md?page=6)