Joe The Plumber Campaigning On Specter's EFCA Vote

Even though Sen. Arlen Specter has let it be known that he will opposed the Employee Free Choice Act if that legislation comes to a vote, the battle to persuade him rages on.

On Wednesday the AFL-CIO issued not-so-subtle political threats to the Pennsylvania Republican. The labor federation announced plans to flood Specter's office with letters, calls and visits and potentially run advertisements pushing the Senator to change his mind.

On Thursday, the opposing side followed suit, bringing out Joe the Plumber (among others) to urge Specter to vote against the union-backed legislation.

In an advisory to the press, the pro-business Americans for Prosperity announced that, as part of its nationwide tour, they would be making stops in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia, during which the crew would be joined by the world's most famous non-licensed plumber and current conservative poster boy.

From the official press release:

Americans for Prosperity's National Save My Ballot Tour Travels to Pennsylvania, Mar. 30-31 Wednesday, March 25th 2009

Americans for Prosperity's National Save My Ballot Tour Travels to Pennsylvania, Mar. 30-31

Events in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia will feature special guest speaker Joe the Plumber

AFP urges Senator Sen. Arlen Specter to vote against Employee Free Choice Act

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HARRISBURG─ Americans for Prosperity (AFP) will defend workers' rights to cast secret ballots in Pennsylvania as part of its nationwide Save My Ballot tour in opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as "card check," which would strip workers of their rights in union organizing elections.

"Some lawmakers want to abolish private ballot elections through the misnamed Employee Free Choice Act, and allow unions to organize just by collecting signatures on union cards. This would give them the ability to pressure and intimidate workers in public," said AFP President Tim Phillips. "We support the secret ballot so every worker has the right to vote on such an important matter without coercion or retaliation."

AFP will be joined by Joe the Plumber in taking its Save My Ballot Tour across Pennsylvania-- Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia-- to urge U.S. Senator Arlen Specter to vote against card check legislation.

"Senator Specter may be the deciding vote on this key piece of legislation," said Phillips. "We need to send him a strong message that the so-called Employee Free Choice Act is an enormous assault on our democratic values and on our rights here in Pennsylvania and across the nation."

Beginning in North Carolina, the nationwide tour kicked off in Greensboro and Raleigh last month where over 500 citizens urged Senator Kay Hagan to vote 'no' on card check legislation. After Pennsylvania, the tour will travel to Virginia and Arkansas.

Speakers will include business, community, and political leaders concerned about what "card check" legislation could do to hurt economic prosperity in Pennsylvania.

All events are free and open to the public. Food will be served.

Comments

[kappa08]

That guy is still around?...Just another example of a culturally washed out society elevating dumb.

[Amanda Armstrong]

I am still absolutely befuddled as to why this man still warrants press attention. REALLY? Ugh. Disgusting.

[mgray34]

Until the GOP decides to get rid of the Clown Club (Mr. Plumber, Alaska Queen, the Man of Steele etc....(sounds like a bad DC comic book cast)), they are not going to be taken seriously anymore. People are hurting and suffering, and they are not going to entrust their vote to these novices. As an independant, I am a little sad to see them go down in flames like this because we really do need a strong two-party system to keep both sides honest.

[Wiseronenow]

Why? Why? Why? Are we subjected to Joe the Dumber! I don't know if I can take this, first Palin this and then Joey, and all in one week. But, do keep it up GOP.....hehehehehe

[karinct5]

Can someone please hit JTP over the head with a big wrench? Maybe it'll knock some sense into him.

[Luminal]

Don't even think about coming to Philadelphia, Joe.

[omobob]

Good thing the republicans have a plumber to make house calls.

[rcrussell]

Joe, Rush, Palin, Steel......WHAT MORE CAN WE ASK FOR....

[petphotos]

Weren't there "plumbers" envolved in Watergate? Or is my old age getting to me.

[Eris23Skidoo]

Hey, free food! Everyone should go to their event, eat the free food and then start protesting and heckling!

[sasidechick]

How about the name of this group? Americans for Prosperity? I would love to know who organized this group. I want to know one thing: Americans for WHOSE Prosperity??

[indy girl]

Americans For Pretend Plumbers Prosperity.

[Millie Lencioni]

Why do they think that anyone cares what"Joe the plumber" thinks? Hasn't this joke gone on long enough? They aren't even spending that much time asking Sarah Palin these questions, and she is supposed to be one of their front runners for President in the next election.

[HeevenSteven]

How bankrupt are Republican ideas if they need Joe-the-bumbler to sell them??... How bankrupt intellectually are people who can be persuaded by Joe-the-bumbler.??

[IowaKid]

I just bet Senator Specter would lose a lot of sleep if he didn't have Joe the plumber's support.

[JeffE]

Why does the media continue to call this guy a plumber? He's an uneducated boob. And if he's the best the right wing can come up with, it's a very sad commentary on their movement.

[JustLucky]

I hadn't thought of that - I was thinking how bizarre it is that anyone's keeping track of what this guy thinks about anything, but it's true that they can't seem to come up with better representatives to follow. I honestly feel sorry for what used to be the Republican Party, even though I've always been in opposition to them - at least they weren't buffoons.

[petphotos]

Joe hasn't been thrown under the bus yet?

[CatladyLinda]

Is the Republican party really so blind that they cannot see that Joe the Plumber has become a joke, a bad joke! No one takes him seriously, so why do they keep trotting him out at these events?

[primeelite]

I find it funny that a guy who was on welfare and worked in a job that has a large union that they live by to survive would be against the EFCA. I guess it was because he wasn't even registered as a plumber and was more of a half-ass handy man that he wouldn't even be allowed to join the union. I really don't get why anyone except executives and the very wealthy would be against the EFCA. I don't know why this guy is still even relevant, it is pretty obvious he has a simple mind, ideological view of the world.

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