Monday, November 9, 2009

Opinion

Joe the Plumber: Social Security Is a 'Joke' and Liberal Conspiracy Theories

October 16, 2008 05:24 PM ET | Bonnie Erbe | Permanent Link | Print

Joe Wurzelbacher, the plumber so often referred to by Sen. John McCain in the third and final debate had better learn to shut his mouth. The more he speaks publicly, the more he looks like the GOP plant liberal blogs are starting to claim that he is. Watch him calling Social Security a "joke" on YouTube:

I'm no fan of tax hikes, but even I recognize Social Security is no "joke." It has single-handedly lifted millions of elderly and disabled Americans out of poverty and turned America's elderly from the most impoverished age demographic to one with an income more in line with that of working families.

Joe the Plumber so loves media attention, he's drawing pro-Obama bloggers to question his authenticity as an undecided voter:

Joe has been on so many right wing talk shows it appears pretty obvious that this is a coordinated attempt to pull a last second 'tax and spend' haymaker. Family Security Matters, a wingnut security policy thinktank, has the first interview with Joe after this Obama encounter. Hmmm. What's the chance that a group like this gets the first interview with this alleged 'undecided voter'?

Other blogs say Wurzelbacher may be related to Charles Keating of the Keating Five and that his father is a major Republican donor:

Joe the Plumber, the star of tonight's debate, may have a very interesting connection to John McCain. In fact, Joe the Plumber (Joe Wurzelbacher) of Cincinnati, Ohio may be related to one Robert Wurzelbacher of Cincinnati, Ohio, who happens to be Charles Keating's son-in-law. Robert Wurzelbacher was implicated in the Keating 5 scandal, and sentenced to 40 months in prison in 1993. Wurzelbacher is also a huge Republican donor.

Keep watching this story because if it proves true that "Joe the Plumber" is the wealthy, Republican regular the liberal blogs are claiming he is, the McCain campaign could go down as the most corrupt and inept in history.

Tags: debates | presidential election 2008 | social security | John McCain

Tools: Share | | Comments (57) | Print

Reader Comments

Joe

I'm willing to bet that since he's divorced, he will have some choice words for child support as well. This does not strike me as a guy who is shy about speaking his mind.

Joe

Conservatives erroneously believe that Social Security is a hand out. You don't get Social Security if you don't log in working hours. Joe the Plumber was never independent--at least in the sense that he was wavering between Republican and Democrat. It seems to me that he was trying to do a little "gotcha" journalism on Obama. Don't tell me he didn't notice the cameras before he asked his questions.

He probably didn't think he would end up on national television, but we are in the internet age--and it doesn't seem to me that he is "suffering" that much. He is traveling the right wing circuit. I don't feel sorry for him. He's a big boy.

Molly Your an Idiot

At a time when unemployment is growing by leaps and bounds people don't choose to not work, the Republican greed is the reason they dont have jobs. I hope that you know you are a paycheck away from being on the streets yourself, and then you will see how it feels. I make good money, and I would be taxed higher under Obamas plan but guess what, it will be better for my business because people will be able to afford my services. Stop being somstupid, only 5% of Americans fall into the higher tax bracket, trickle down economics does not work, as proven by the horrible Bush years.

Add your thoughts

Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

advertisement

U.S. News Weekly

Subscribe Now

Order the new U.S. News Weekly digital magazine at a special low introductory price!

About Bonnie Erbe

Bonnie Erbe is a contributing editor at U.S. News & World Report and hosts PBS's weekly news analysis program, To the Contrary with Bonnie Erbe. She also writes a weekly syndicated newspaper column for Scripps Howard News Service.

advertisement

NEWSLETTER

Sign up today for the latest headlines from U.S. News & World Report delivered to you free.

RSS FEEDS

Personalize your U.S. News with our feeds of blogs and breaking news headlines.

U.S. NEWS MOBILE

U.S. News daily briefings are also available on your mobile device.

FAVORITES

People who read this also read ...

Thomas Jefferson St.

Voters' Top Priority: The Economy

Obama Democrats should stop rushing healthcare reform and address more important issues.

H1N1 Vaccine for Wall Street?

Another example of what's wrong with government run healthcare.

Healthcare Vote Delays a Bad Sign for Dems

Expect more waiting, and arm twisting, as vulnerable reps take the hint from voters.

Americans Want Jobs, Not Healthcare Reform

As the unemployment rate reaches double digits, the public makes its preference known.

California Candidates' Poor Voting Record

Couldn't Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman have put a note in their BlackBerrys about voting?

Pelosi Cracks the Whip on Moderates

She's using fear of payback to push middle-of-the-road Democrats to vote for the House bill.

A Dollar a Day to Keep the Babies Away

North Carolina program aiding at-risk kids needs to go nationwide.

The New V Takes Swipes at Both Sides

Are they sniping at Obama? Sure? Bush too.

Cartoon Gallery

Editorial Cartoon

Political Cartoons

Check out our most recent cartoons.

Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.
Make USNews.com your home page.