Reading The Pictures: Plumbing The Truth

I don't think I could add any better visual analysis to Jim Young's photo than the comments of Joe Wurzelbacher himself.

Joe the (unlicensed) plumber's two money quotes to the NYT include:

"You know, I've always wanted to ask one of these guys a question and really corner them and get them to answer a question...."

"I'm kind of like Britney Spears having a headache."

By the way, the extended quote on the first comment helps flesh out and inform Joe's expression in the photo -- squinty Joe in the white light and the earnest Obama literally in the dark. From The Times:

"You know, I've always wanted to ask one of these guys a question and really corner them and get them to answer a question ... for once instead of tap dancing around it. And unfortunately I asked the question, but I still got a tap dance."

He added, "Almost as good as Sammy Davis Jr."

Shades of Mark Halperin's post back in March, Wurzelbacher's intent to "corner" the celebrity tap dancer was motivated by racism. If the McCain campaign had done it's homework before tossing this guy into the national spotlight -- and whether they did or they didn't is a bit concerning either way -- you'd think the chip on Wurzelbacher's shoulder would have been pretty easy to flush out.

Joe in the Spotlight (NYT/The Caucus)

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(image: Jim Young/Reuters. Toledo, Ohio, October 2008)

Comments

[rock2casbah]

He appeared rude, ignorant, and defensive. He doesn't respect people and it shows. I was embarrassed for all the people of that neighborhood that he represented them.

[uheardme]

Joe is a typical Republican. He does not represent "everyman". The media should report THAT.

[JulieSA]

Although i vehemently disagree with Obama's policies, I was pretty excited that this election has the first AA candidate for president, and the second female VP candidate.

Unfortunately, any and all criticism of Obama is labeled as racist, and frankly, the US should not have a president who can't be criticized. This is a way of shutting down free speech, and it's very disturbing.

[goldbry]

Why was a candidate for President of the United States compared to an African American tap dancer? Was it a worthy comparison? Do you think the comparison was apt, or made simply because they shared their race?

[MadMoll]

shared race. And Sammy Davis, jr was oh, so much more than just a dancer, singer, actor. Civil Rights activist - earned him an FBI file. Hoover was also interested in the fact he had married May Britt, a Swedish actress.

His was also of mixed heritage - his mother was Puerto Rican. He was also Jewish.

[ESerafina42]

Quite apart from the fact that a sizable chunk of America probably said, "Who?"

[rock2casbah]

I asked Katie Couric, who found that statement worthy of a chuckle, rather than a quick dismissal. I asked her that I thought she was as talented in her new position and handled it as well as a Pussycat Doll.

Then I asked her how did she like that comparison? Then I finished by pointing out to her that there is something to be said for DIVERSITY in the news room. Maybe she could tell people better than anyone WHY!!

[rock2casbah]

Only racist and offensive comments are labeled that way. Racism did not just start with Obama. People know what they are seeing when they see it.

[TRYKER]

It strikes me as completely out of place for Sarah Palin and Joe the plumber-not... to be talking so cheaply of an accomplished Presidential candidate that neither has met or knows.
I know its trite, but my head keeps saying: "Wh-o-o-o-o do they think they are?" Their mommy and daddy should smack them right upside the head...they are old enough to know better.

[MurrayAbraham]

Leave the guy alone, he obviously didn't realize the kind of media scrutiny he would be subjected to for having the audacity to ask a question.

The speculation about his motivation being racism is just complete bull. I am quite sure that if an African American had said that John McCain danced around him like Fred Astaire rather than answering his question, nobody would have blinked an eye.

[Alic4]

Dude, maybe that's because our country has a history of white people dressing up in black face and dancing around acting like idiots, and then turning around and hanging black people and beating them to death in angry mobs. Not many white face acts around forty years ago, you know?

You don't compare a black presidential candidate, something that is new in our country, to a black entertainer who was marginalized by his blackness. They are two different things, and Barak Obama's integrity, stability, and strength, has nothing to do with goofy dance numbers.

That said, I am also annoyed by the attention Joe is getting in the press, and here on the Huffington Post. Discrediting him has nothing to do with showing why Barack Obama's tax policies are actually better for the entire country than John McCain's, and why there are bigger things at stake in this election than the personal interest of someone who makes just over 250k a year and might have to pay (gasp) an extra couple hundred dollars.

[mshazen]

Well said, and I am so tired of the whole tax debate, we are at war we just bailed out Wall street and rich people think they should not have to pay 30% percent of their income in taxes just like the rest of the middle class.

Please stop feeling sorry for Joe the shmoe, he is in the tank for republicans it was never his intention to listen to Obama. It has been proven he would be better off under Obama's plan and he is the one going all over the tv mugging for the camera.

If he wanted to be left alone he would be, he just has to say no comment for a few days and all would go away but nope he has not shut his mouth yet.

[pcplz]

I am standing up for 'Sammy the Dancer'!! Sammy Davis, Jr had so much talent and heart and was such a good man. He does not deserve the belittlement of his career or his dancing.

Joe the non-plumber is a PLANT. Put him back into the obscurity he came from and concentrate on the issues at hand. He was put into the limelight to take the spotlight off of McCain and his lack of................uh.............everything!

[rock2casbah]

He would never have walked up on McCain or even Bush with such an arrogant and aggressive stance. Furthermore they would not even deem him worthy of being bothered with going out to meet and talk to anyway. He would have suddenly found himself bum rushedout of their presence before he could get within ear shot anyway.

[Ms Esq]

We can debate whether or not Samuel "Joe" is a racist until the cows come home. It is not as though racists readily admit their biases--so we will never have an answer.

However, anyone who watched the debate and did not immediately realize that "Joe" was being used by McCain as another "average Joe' "Joe Sixpack" gimmick, is just...slow. Arguing with slow people is an incredible drain on energy.

The press AND McCain, should leave this man alone. If he is just a regular (uninformed) citizen, he did not deserve to be dragged across the front page news for asking a question.

Republicans are barking up the wrong tree by accusing Obama of bashing Joe. McCain is the one who won't let the name or man live in peace.

[annevery]

Does anyone really believe that "Joe" just happened to walk up to Senator Obama and ask him questions about taxes? This has "Karl Rove tactic" written all over it - peel off Joe's layers and you'll find a link to the McCain campaign!

[abigail1]

The interesting thing about this whole thing is that Obama talked to him. Obama surely saw the chip on his shoulder and could tell that Joe was never going to vote for him, but he talked to him anyway. He was respectful, he listened and he responded to what Joe said. He took time away from talking to swing voters to talk to an obvious McCain supporter.
Wouldn't it be nice to have a president like that?

[Yarrr]

I do think Obama's "spread the wealth" statement was really foolish, given this country's hysteria over communism. You can bet the repubs are going to be all over this from now till election day.

[greguva]

It may have been foolish, but it's easily defensible. 'Spreading the wealth' is inherently what all governments do - collect money from a segment of the population, and then use that money to provide goods, services and infrastructure for the population as a whole. It would be a nice trick for McCain to try to run a government without spreading the wealth.

[Gdebs]

As Warren Buffit has been saying," Yes there is a class war and we (The Rich) have won it. We have been sharing the wealth---from the poor upward to the rich.

[pcplz]

Ahhhh....Robin Hood! What a man! Errol Flynn in tights, sigh. What woman didn't have a 'thing' for him? Spread the wealth........take from the rich and give to the poor.

The times in which Robin Hood lived was much the same as we are living now. The uberwealthy hoarding the money and not allowing the poor to advance. Corporate greed versus worker wages.

Robin was 'the man' today we have Obama.

[nellie]

What constantly surprises me is that these racially obsessed people think the rest of the country is as freaked out as they are by people of different ethnicities. They seem to think they're going to score points by being intolerant.

Let's move on.

[1differentdrummer]

Sadly, they think they are the norm.

[honestpolitician]

15 min. of fame - may sound all good and dandy - until the media exposes your personal life including your latest tax statements...now that sux!

http://politicaladattacks.blogspot.com/

[johnlee]

I hear he's selling white tee shirts with "Joe the Plumber" written on them I wonder if the tee shirts come with a white hood.

[TheAlchemist]

"Can I call you Joe?"

I hear you're not licensed. You're a dea dbeat tax payer. You're related to someone involved in the Keating five.

" Say it isn't so, Joe."

[FatherWolf]

And is in no position to buy that business.

[newworldman777]

Since the guy made the choice to publicly condemn Obama's tax plan, let's examine a few facts about "Joe." He is a relative of one of the jailed "Keating 5" clan (alarm bells ringing). He claims that he wants to purchase the plumbing business that currently employs him, but he is concerned that Obama's proposed above-$250k tax-raising plan will take an inordinate amount of tax money from him. The company that he works for employs all of 2 people, and, according to wikipedia, grosses only 100k annually. Considering Joe's actions toward civic responsibility (owes back taxes) and his initiative (40-something, yet hasn't acquired plumber's license [which is not that difficult to acquire]), then it's a safe bet that he won't be purchasing any business that will be earning him a net profit of $250k annually -- at least not during Obama's tenure, anyway. Add to that his comment about Sammy Davis Jr. tap dancing, and we can pretty much see what is going on here. Joe's a loser who is prejudiced against Obama, and his 15 minutes of fame should have been over yesterday.

[CAPlatt]

He is not a relative of the Keating 5 clan. The Keating 5 is the term applied to McCain and the four other politicians who improperly lobbied S&L regulators to stop investigating Keating. If the news is correct, Joe is a distant relative of Keating, ie, the son of of Keating's in-laws. The real question is when Obama is going to pull his head out and do what Letterman did - which is to focus some attention on the real plumber we should all be worried about in the guilt-by-association derby - GORDON THE PLUMBER. Remember that guy, the one who spent five years in prison for running the covert political ops (stealing, lying, burglaries, etc.) from the basement of the Nixon White House? The name of his group became the Plumbers. As late as 2007 McCain appeared on Liddy's radio show and praised him and everything he stands for. One of Liddy's great pieces of advice is to always aim for the head when dealing with ATF agents. McCain is a twisted little gnome. Where is Hunter Thompson when we need him?

[hapiguy]

Joe the "FRAUD",,,just proves,,be selective who you talk to,,,can get your pocket picked,,,hey Joe,,,pay your taxes,,,so you can buy that business,,,but first get your Plumbers license,,your day of fame will haunt you forever...