# Joe the Plumber running for Congress **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 10, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222 "2011-10-10T21:16:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/1 "2011-10-10T21:16:15Z")
[He](http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/culture/2011/10/3685288/joe-plumber-files-congressional-run) has apparently filed to challenge for a seat in Ohio’s 9th. I don’t know Ohio politics, but I can’t imagine he has a chance in hell. Has there been a bigger joke candidate since the Rent is Too Damn High guy? ---
**Author:** ![CJJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/2 "2011-10-10T22:28:04Z")
Marcy Kaptur has held that seat for decades; I don’t believe any Republican has [come within 15 points of her](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio%27s_9th_congressional_district#Election_results) since she won it. In my experience the Republicans in Toledo usually pick a caretaker candidate for the sake of keeping up appearances–often in exchange for a party job afterwards, but sometimes to shunt an embarassing nutball into a race he/she can’t win. That seems to have been the case with Kaptur’s last opponent Rich Iott, an outsider best known for [playing an SS officer in a WWII re-enactment group](http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/why-is-this-gop-house-candidate-dressed-as-a-nazi/64319/). ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/3 "2011-10-10T22:53:32Z")
Didn’t it come to light that he was never a licensed plumber, that he owed tens of thousands of dollars in back child support and that he had a couple of DUI’s? Values Voters, we have someone that you can really relate to here in Joe the Plumber!!! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/4 "2011-10-10T23:04:04Z")
Didn’t he already pull this stunt back in 2010, or some special election? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2011, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/5 "2011-10-11T01:20:26Z")
> [@Invisible\_Chimp](#): > > [He](http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/culture/2011/10/3685288/joe-plumber-files-congressional-run) has apparently filed to challenge for a seat in Ohio’s 9th. I don’t know Ohio politics, but I can’t imagine he has a chance in hell. Has there been a bigger joke candidate since the Rent is Too Damn High guy? Don’t be scoffing at" the Rent is too Damn High" guy. He provided lots of humorous relief . ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2011, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/6 "2011-10-11T02:24:43Z")
> [@Invisible\_Chimp](#): > > Has there been a bigger joke candidate since the Rent is Too Damn High guy? Well, there was Malcolm Peter Brian Telescope Adrian Umbrella Stand Jasper Wednesday (pops mouth twice) Stoatgobbler John Raw Vegetable (whinnying) Arthur Norman Michael (blows squeaker) Featherstone Smith (whistle) Northgot Edwards Harris (fires pistol, then ‘whoop’) Mason (chuff-chuff-chuff-chuff) Frampton Jones Fruitbat (laughs) (squeaker) Gilbert (sings) ‘We’ll keep a welcome in the’ (three shots) Williams If I Could Walk That Way Jenkin (squeaker) Tiger-drawers Pratt Thompson (sings) ‘Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head’ Darcy Carter (horn) Pussycat (sings) ‘Don’t Sleep In The Subway’ Barton Mainwaring (hoot, ‘whoop’) Smith. Abolish impact fees indeed! :rolleyes: What a clown! ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/7 "2011-10-12T11:02:23Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Well, there was Malcolm Peter Brian Telescope Adrian Umbrella Stand Jasper Wednesday (pops mouth twice) Stoatgobbler John Raw Vegetable (whinnying) Arthur Norman Michael (blows squeaker) Featherstone Smith (whistle) Northgot Edwards Harris (fires pistol, then ‘whoop’) Mason (chuff-chuff-chuff-chuff) Frampton Jones Fruitbat (laughs) (squeaker) Gilbert (sings) ‘We’ll keep a welcome in the’ (three shots) Williams If I Could Walk That Way Jenkin (squeaker) Tiger-drawers Pratt Thompson (sings) ‘Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head’ Darcy Carter (horn) Pussycat (sings) ‘Don’t Sleep In The Subway’ Barton Mainwaring (hoot, ‘whoop’) Smith. (Very Silly) ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/8 "2011-10-13T20:55:26Z")
Joe would make a great VP to run with Cain. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/9 "2011-10-13T21:03:54Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Joe would make a great VP to run with Cain. “The Pizza Guy and the Plumber,” coming this fall to TBS! Very Funny[sup]TM[/sup]. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/10 "2011-10-13T21:24:19Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Joe would make a great VP to run with Cain. Cain isn’t able do anything. Didn’t you hear [what Bachmann said](http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/12/bachmann-implies-cain-plan-could-be-devils-work/)? If you take ‘9-9-9’, turn it upside-down, and look at it in the mirror, you’ll see plain as day a black man proposed it, so the GOP can’t have anything to do with the idea. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/11 "2011-10-13T21:55:36Z")
Turn the 9-9-9 upside down and it is still stupid. It would slash revenue even more. it would be a terrific tax cut for the rich, who surely need more money from the rest of us. It would put the poor in deep shit because they would have a 9 percent tax on everyday expenses. if they live in N.Y. , they would pay about 18 percent on every purchase. It is a much heavier burden for the poor . The whole idea is too stupid to even address in congress. ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/12 "2011-10-14T00:34:53Z")
Because of Ohio’s population loss and redistricting with the Republicans in charge of the state government, Kaptur’s district now runs from eastern Lucas County (Toledo) to western Cuyahoga County (Cleveland). Kaptur will face a primary fight with Dennis Kucinich. Joe the Plumber will be handicapped by the fact that no one will recognize his name on the ballot. It is Wurlizter or something like that. “Joe the Plumber” will not be listed. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/13 "2011-10-14T12:55:02Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Turn the 9-9-9 upside down and it is still stupid. But cooler! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/14 "2011-10-14T14:02:51Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Turn the 9-9-9 upside down and it is still stupid. > It would slash revenue even more. Has anyone actually demonstrated this to be the case? A 9% VAT would raise one hell of a lot of money. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/15 "2011-10-14T17:20:10Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Has anyone actually demonstrated this to be the case? > > A 9% VAT would raise one hell of a lot of money. > **[Rich Man's Revolutionary](https://www.thedailybeast.com/michael-tomasky-herman-cains-9-9-9-plan-revolutionary-for-the-rich/)** > > Cain’s proposals would help the wealthy and harm the rest of us, says Michael Tomasky. It would be a boon to the wealthy and a horror for the poor. Since Social Security is paid for by taxes, it would end. Safety nets would evaporate. It is cruel . ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/16 "2011-10-14T19:38:18Z")
> [@zamboniracer](#): > > Joe the Plumber will be handicapped by the fact that no one will recognize his name on the ballot. It is Wurlizter or something like that. “Joe the Plumber” will not be listed. Can he legally change his name to “Joe T. Plumber” ? ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/17 "2011-10-14T20:33:30Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > [Michael Tomasky: Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 Plan Revolutionary for the Rich](http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/12/michael-tomasky-herman-cain-s-9-9-9-plan-revolutionary-for-the-rich.html) > It would be a boon to the wealthy and a horror for the poor. Since Social Security is paid for by taxes, it would end. Safety nets would evaporate. It is cruel . No offense, and I agree with you a lot of the time, but I don’t think this crowd would consider as partisan a site as The Daily Beast legitimate. ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/18 "2011-10-14T21:18:12Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Can he legally change his name to “Joe T. Plumber” ? AFAIK he is allowed to change his name. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/19 "2011-10-14T21:33:02Z")
> [@zamboniracer](#): > > Joe the Plumber will be handicapped by the fact that no one will recognize his name on the ballot. It is Wurlizter or something like that. “Joe the Plumber” will not be listed. He should move to Louisiana where nicknames are listed on the ballot, and in Cajun country at least it seemed to be a problem not to have one. We had the choice of Sonny and T-Boy in at least one election. ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222/20 "2011-10-14T21:48:10Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > He should move to Louisiana where nicknames are listed on the ballot, and in Cajun country at least it seemed to be a problem not to have one. We had the choice of Sonny and T-Boy in at least one election. Who’d you vote for, Sonny or T-Boy? Which was the D, and which one the R? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-running-for-congress/599222.md?page=2)