A freshman at Tufts University talked to Joe The Plumber about the election and his future political prospects.
On his role in the election:
Q: How did you feel when you became such an important factor in the final presidential debate and the campaign as a whole?
A: Initially, I thought it was completely absurd. I was glad that I could be used as a focal point to possibly bandy around some ideas, and maybe people would open their eyes to Obama's socialist ideology. However, there were so many important issues to be discussed other than the "Joe the Plumber, Joe the Plumber." [The debate] was absolutely ridiculous. After a while, I actually got tired of it. Not so much the "Joe the Plumber" I am tired of, but there are other issues that need to be discussed.
On John McCain And Sarah Palin:
Q: You had the opportunity to campaign with Sen. John McCain in different areas of Ohio. What is your opinion with regards to Mr. McCain?
A: This is a tough question. [The McCain campaign] is trying to throw Sarah Palin under the bus. They are trying to allude to the fact that she is the reason that John McCain might have lost this election. That does not sit well with me. John McCain has not come out and said that Sarah Palin is an honorable woman and has not protected her. In terms of my opinion, he has my respect for being a war hero, and I told him that personally, but you got to get along to go along or go along to get along. Washington has been ingrained with that mentality.
Q: As a Republican, do you feel that Gov. Sarah Palin was the right vice-presidential selection?
A: Honestly, I think she shines too much. I think vice president no, president definitely. She has moral values. She has a record of change that ... John McCain had supposedly ... Sarah was actually too big of a personality, too big of a person to be vice president.
On his own political future:
Q: There has been a tremendous amount of speculation about your political future. Web sites such as joewurzelbacher2010.com and others envision you challenging Rep. Marcy Kaptur [D-Ohio] for her seat in the House. Is there any truth to these rumors?
A: No. Marcy Kaptur is so entrenched in this area, I do not believe [anyone] could actually win against her. People around here for whatever reason love her to death. No one actually has ever come close in how many years to take her seat. Also, if I were to run for Congress, it [would be] a very big sacrifice. I would not take it lightly or as a sense of entitlement as some congressmen do. I would actually represent the people. I would be out there day to day, talking to people and finding out what is going on. I would really work hard.
The problem with that is I would not go along to get along in Congress. I would be loud, but I would be one voice among 435 people. I can do far more with this watchdog group that I am creating ... the watchdog group is going to be essentially for the American people, Democrats or Republicans; I do not care. The Web site will remind the people in Washington that they are there to serve us ...