Joe Wurzelbacher: Martyr of the Middle Class, Bane of Obama
Of the full spectrum of human emotions, which one do authors and filmmakers have the most trouble portraying realistically? Outrage. Outrage is the hardest to portray because it’s one of the rarest and most extreme sensations in the human experience. On Thursday we all received the bad news about the plight of”Joe the Plumber” and how his fifteen minutes of fame ended in media crucifixion, and we were all reacquainted with real outrage, outrage at the thought that it could have been any one of us on that ropeline who asked that question. Outrage at the thought that it could be any one of us who’s being hung by the media, and outraged that a presidential campaign is what’s responsible for the public-opinion lynching of a humble, private citizen.
I was, like many of you I suspect, overcome with the unfamiliar feeling of real outrage upon fully absorbing the bad news. I felt as though the world was upside down, that right was wrong and wrong was right, and that something had transpired that truly unsettled me. I a coldness came over me and I began to grit my teeth; and then a simple sentence began to form in my mind.
“They’ve gone too damn far this time.”
One of the traditional tactics used in Democratic politics is to mitigate tough questions by discrediting the people who ask them rather than answer the questions themselves, and Joe the Plumber is no exception. However, the Obama campaign has made a big, big miscalculation in how it’s dealt with this man – he’s not a pundit, he’s not a public figure (or at least he wasn’t,) and yet he’s been defamed like one. The bad news for Obama is that the tactics of his campaign and his surrogates are not only transparent, but they make the average American feel violated and uneasy.
I arrived at a major metropolitan airport this morning to catch a flight, and as I walked through the corridors with my luggage I overhead the story of Joe the Plumber being retold over and over again.
“I heard that they shut down his business.”
“I heard that the IRS came after him for his taxes.”
“I heard that the press has three vans parked outside of his house.”
“I heard he was a Republican plant.”
I didn’t need the full context to know what they were talking about – it was obvious. When I got into line to board my plane I overheard a more extensive conversation between a couple:
Woman: I feel sorry for that poor man – he didn’t ask to be put into the media spotlight and now he’s having all of his dirty laundry aired on national television. He doesn’t deserve that.
Man: Please, don’t you think that he was obviously a Republican plant?
Woman: No, Obama picked him out of the rope line. He was just a guy from the neighborhood who asked him a question!
Man: Well look, how can the guy credibly claim that he’s worried about Obama’s tax plan when he hasn’t been able to pay his own taxes? Not much of an American if he can’t fulfill his obligation as a citizen.
It was at this point in the conversation that I decided to inject my own opinion:
Tacitus: Don’t you think that the fact that this man is having trouble paying his taxes actually lends credibility and authenticity to his concerns about the implications of Obama’s tax plan? Don’t you think that this man, out of all men, would have the most concern about his tax status under an Obama administration?
Man: (mulls it over,) actually, yeah, I could see that.
This is why Joe is so dangerous – he is one of the very people who is supposed to be helped by Obama’s tax plan; he should be begging for an Obama administration. But he’s not demanding the rise of The One; instead, he’s expressing skepticism and doubt as to the substance behind the superficial “middle class tax cut.” Moreover, he had the opportunity and the gumption to actually challenge The One on national television. And how does The One respond to such a challenge? By calling for redistribution of wealth, an indisputable core tenet of socialism and a social engineering concept that is both discredited and reviled.
The fallout of Joe’s challenge is what I witnessed at the airport today – people are starting to pay attention to the details of Obama’s ever-important economic plan. Even Obama supporters, like the man I challenged, are on the defensive. Not only do they have to defend outright socialism, but they have to defend the – destruction of a plumber from Toledo who can’t afford to pay his taxes; a difficult task if there ever was one.
Every attack on this plumber and every time his name is mentioned is another risk for Obama as each mention of Joe Wurzelbacher brings with it an opportunity for scrutiny and a grim reminder that public dissent against Obama bears with it a real-world cost. In effect, the destruction of Joe the Plumber didn’t end the interest in his encounter with Obama nor did it terminate his status as an icon of the American Middle Class. Rather, it elevated his status from icon to martyr. He’s no longer a plumber who challenged a potential president; he’s a plumber who was crucified by the media on a national stage for asking the wrong question.
Now more people than ever are asking “what’s going to happen to Joe the Plumber?” The answers to those questions don’t bode well for Obama; even Democrats have to say it like it is: “this man was destroyed for doing what has been encouraged throughout the history of our young country, for exercising his right to free speech, for exercising his right to dissent.”
But don’t worry about Joe just yet - if the Republicans have any semblance of a clue, they will hoist this man onto their shoulders and say “I am Joe. We are all Joe, and the media and the Obama campaign is out for your wealth and if you speak out, they will be out for your life.” I am confident that Joe will not go quietly into the night and I am confident that the Republicans will make every effort to make sure that every undecided voter within reach heads to the polls on November 4th thinking ” I AM JOE WURZELBACHER, AND OBAMA WANTS TO RAISE MY TAXES.”
your condescending use of “The One” is disgusting. The truth is, “Joe the Plumber” wouldn’t be affected by Obama’s taxes at all; he makes 40,000 a year, and unless he plans on becoming an incredibly successful plumber in a very short time, he won’t be affected. If anyone is using this fool, its the Republican party; i cant remember who brought him up in the debate..who was it? Oh yah, McCain. That’s right.
lifeispolitics
October 17, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Good gut level analysis of how “joe” has resonated with the public. It’s funny, because that is how I felt about this whole incident; that “enough was enough.” In fact, I sent an email to a local radio host today who was being sarcastic about “joe” saying that he was out of sync with the public feeling — Joe represents America far more than any of today’s politicians!
Jen
October 17, 2008 at 9:28 pm
@Lifeispolitics
I’m sorry that my sarcasm towards your messianic candidate offends you so. Perhaps you should consider sicking one of your campaigns’ truth squads against me so you can put a stop to this clearly dangerous discourse.
“unless he plans on becoming an incredibly successful plumber in a very short time, he won’t be affected.”
The entire point of his comment was that he does indeed plan on being more successful – moreoever he plans on acquiring the business that he works for. I guess you weren’t listening. Also, if I am not mistaken, Obama plans on not renewing the Bush tax cuts, which do affect Joe’s current tax bracket. Eliminating a tax cut is the equivalent of raising taxes; what you cal it is a matter of semantics.
“If anyone is using this fool, its the Republican party; i cant remember who brought him up in the debate..who was it? Oh yah, McCain. That’s right.”
As I recall, it wasn’t a McCain-endorsing media that crucified Joe the Plumber; it was Obama’s surrogates.
Tacitus
October 18, 2008 at 12:01 am
It seems like a big part of the problem is that Joe the Plumber doesn’t represent a 250,000 paycheck, he represents running a 250,000 dollar business. And any business worth 250,000 dollars is not that big of deal. It’s five people earning a 50,000 paycheck. Which is a great deal for, oh, say, a decent sized plumber company. I hate that “Samuel” (which I’m as pissed as you Tacitus that I now know so much about, leave the damn guy alone), has been thrust into such a limelight for what I think most companies outside the Washington “idea” would suffer greatly for.
Will
October 18, 2008 at 1:43 am
To Lifeispolitics: as usual with you lefties, you miss the point completely.
The point isn’t Joe, it’s “The One.” His very revealing comment about “spread[ing] the wealth around” revealed the heart of Obama’s tax policy: income redistribution. Tax the rich and give to the poor, aka “welfare.” Obama’s plan relies heavily on refundable tax “credits,” giving government checks to people who pay no income taxes. That, my friend, is very unpopular with most Americans. That may be an inconvenient truth for Libs, but you’ll just have to deal with it.
Joe-the-Plumber may or may not benefit from Obama’s tax policies, but he didn’t make Obama say those fateful words. Obama did that all by himself.
Nick
October 18, 2008 at 6:08 am
“The truth is, “Joe the Plumber” wouldn’t be affected by Obama’s taxes at all”
Oh, then it’s cool. If it won’t affect him at all. Go ahead, then, tax to spread it around. Since it won’t affect him. Probably won’t affect anyone else, either. Just like the marginal tax rates under Carter didn’t affect ANYONE AT ALL. Just like the Reagan tax cuts didn’t affect anyone at all. Move along. Nothing to see here.
brobin
October 18, 2008 at 8:25 am
In reality, go back and watch the debates. See who mentions Joe’s first and last name first. If McCain had never mentioned him there, none of us would know who he was. As far as “making 250,000″, in an interview, Joe actually said that he doubts the man who owns the plumbing company now makes anything close to that, and therefore the odds of himself making that much is low, since it is an out of the basement job. Joe the Plumber doesn’t represent me anymore than Joe Sixpack does, and the truth is, most Americans affiliate with these people about as little as they do Sarah Palin; and I assume all of you Repubs are the few who actually think she and him speak for you, and you probably thought Bush would have been “the type of guy you wanted to have a beer with.” I don’t want my leader to be someone I relate to or want to hang out with; not even talking in terms to the last 8 years. Guess what; Joe’s not even a licensed plumber. Awesome, good luck with the business!
lifeispolitics
October 18, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Life, I’m amazed at your ability to not only ignore, but distort facts. Because McCain mentioned the man first he must be destroyed? Because he might have trouble earning 250k he shouldn’t worry about it? And because he doesn’t have a license for commercial plumbing he isn’t allowed to perform residential plumbing, which he doesn’t need a license for? You’re a fool and a liar.
John Galt
October 18, 2008 at 3:26 pm
This isn’t just about Joe the plumber. Any one who dismisses his question because of his credentials is ignoring the point entirely. It’s about every single man who was hoping to be able to move up in the future and is now being told if they do so, if they succeed in fulfilling their American dream, they will be taxed. They will have their rewards stripped from them under penalty of imprisonment.
TennesseePaul
October 18, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I agree, it’s not about Joe The Plumber, it’s about the “fear” Joe’s question raised in the Obama crowd. Obama didn’t believe the ties to his previous late 1990’s support and continued support to terrorist “William Ayers” would be exposed and it has been.
I believe OBama should be in prison. Doesn’t the President have a “War on Terrorism”? If so, shouldn’t Obama and all his alies be in jail, removed from Congress and Senate?
Let’s continue the war and remove all of them from our US Senate.
Gail B
October 18, 2008 at 7:09 pm
…And as for the Tax raising issue. Yes it will affect people who make $40K a year because we are paid by the people making $250K and up. If it affects them it affects us and that will h u r t all of us if any taxes are raised in a bad-economic time.
Gail B
October 18, 2008 at 7:11 pm
…AND it’s not required to have a License to be a plumber.
That’s a good ploy of the media reaching the majority of people who are uneducated minds to twist his credibility. Smearing a person’s integrity by stating a fact that’s not relevent.
…That’s like saying, Joe the Plumber isn’t licensed to be a parent. That too is a fact but most people already know it doesn’t require a license to produce children and will already know that.
….also kind of like blaming the Republicans for the ecomony this year when the Democrats took over the House in 2006….That didn’t slip the minds of the educated, but those who tend to forget who’s in charge don’t stay up with the facts.
…signed an Independent.
Gail B
October 18, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Lifepolitics….GUESS WHAT? It’s not required to have a license to be a plumber….you have bought into the smear people campaign by stating facts that make no sense…..THATS LIKE SAYING…Guess what? He doesnt have a license to wear pants….Well Guess what? I don’t have a license to wear pants either but I do.
Gail B
October 19, 2008 at 8:36 am
“your condescending use of ‘The One’ is disgusting.”
The One, The One, The One, The One, The One. See also the Obamessiah, the Arugulator, Capt. Smirk, President Urkel, and Stinky (that last one is Michelle’s).
“Guess what; Joe’s not even a licensed plumber.”
Papers! Vere are your papers! In an Obama administration, taxpayers will have to annually renew their license to ask questions.
So Joe has nothing to worry about, lifeispolitics, as long as he doesn’t become too successful. Please spread that message everywhere you can, kthx.
Great post, Tacitus, but one correction: Joe was not on a rope line. Obama came right to his house. He literally walked right into it. Little did Joe know his question would reveal a glass jaw.
Suddenly they’re not saying “it’s the economy, stupid” anymore, are they? I barely understand all the Freddie & Fannie stuff, but I understand having to pay taxes.
Jim Treacher
October 20, 2008 at 1:07 am
Jim, as an avid fan of your blog, I love seeing your sense of humor grace the pages of this little site. I was unclear on the details regarding how Obama/Joe met but apparently he did indeed come to Joe, rather than the other way around. I guess that throws another wrench into the idea that Joe was a Republican plant / super secret agent (Nutroots: THEY PLANTED HIS HOUSE RIGHT THERE YEARS AGO KNOWING THAT OBAMA WOULD COME VISIT THE NEIGHBORHOOD!!!11!)
John Galt
October 20, 2008 at 11:19 am
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October 28, 2008 at 12:31 am
HAHA still defending your stance that the DEMS are exploiting Joe The Plumber? You are such an idiot.
lifeispolitics
October 29, 2008 at 5:56 pm
You, sir, are laughable. I claimed that Dems are trying to lynch Joe the Plumber because of the threat that he poses to Obama, not exploit him. How you could take away the notion that I think the Democrats are “exploiting” JTP from either of my two articles about him indicates that you don’t know what the word “exploit” means or that you haven’t read either of them.
Tacitus
October 29, 2008 at 6:57 pm