Quantcast

Why is Joe "The Plumber" quitting the GOP?

-sasman- 2009/05/08 00:46:30
He's found a job as a hairdresser.
He's not really quitting.  I can't believe it!
He hit himself between the eyes with a monkey wrench and is stunned.
You!
Add Photos & Videos
Time magazine: ‘Joe the Plumber’ quitting the GOP
By TODD A. HEYWOOD 5/7/09 1:50 PM

The GOP icon Samuel Wurzelbacher, more popularly known as Joe the Plumber, has told Time magazine he is quitting the Republican Party, a party that incidentally catapulted his image to the forefront of the national conscience during the 2008 presidential race when Republican John McCain of Arizona made mention of Joe the Plumber during a debate with Democrat Barack Obama of Illinois.

“Joe” went on to fame because of his iconic elevation by the Republican Party — the common fellow whose dreams and livelihood were being ruined by the U.S. government. He wanted to buy the plumbing company he worked for. It turned out he had a tax lien on his home and he was not even a licensed plumber in Ohio. But his everyman status stuck with him, even as McCain fell in the national election.

From Time:

Samuel Wurzelbacher, better known as Joe the Plumber, tells TIME he’s so outraged by GOP overspending, he’s quitting the party — and he’s the bull’s-eye of its target audience. But he also said he wouldn’t support any cuts in defense, Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid — which, along with debt payments, would put more than two-thirds of the budget off limits.

“Joe” is no stranger to odd proclamations.

In April, he told a Lansing tea party protest crowd that saying “In God We Trust” could “get you shot” in some parts of the country. And just this week, he told Christianity Today he would not let gay people “anywhere near” his children.
Add a comment above

Top Opinion

Sort By
  • Most Raves
  • Least Raves
  • Oldest
  • Newest
Opinions

  • BillyJoeBob24 2009/09/27 05:54:51
    None of the above
    BillyJoeBob24
    The Republican party is corrupted, and needs cleaned up...they included factions, into their party which compromised it's principles, and shouldn't have done that...I think this was only done to attract new bases of voters...'Never compromise your principles', is a common theme with me...That's why I'm tempted to do the same thing...
  • RedFlint 2009/05/10 22:10:25 (edited)
    He hit himself between the eyes with a monkey wrench and is stunned.
    RedFlint
    +1
    However, my response only applies if he actually knows which end of the wrench to hold. I was never sure he actually knew the two benchmarks of being a Plumber, in the first place. 1) Shit won't run uphill and 2) Friday's payday! hold benchmarks plumber 1 shit run uphill 2 fridays payday
  • mach 2009/05/10 17:00:32
    None of the above
    mach
    +1
    This flat tax idea he's promoting is falling on deaf ears even from the right. This could be a bid to align himself with Ron Paul, who could use someone experienced with sewage.
  • ptete in left I trust ~ POT... 2009/05/10 16:29:12
    None of the above
    ptete in left I trust ~ POTC**FUKU2**
    +2
    Rat deserting the sinking ship.
  • DJ*~ 2009/05/10 16:03:42 (edited)
    He's not really quitting. I can't believe it!
    DJ*~
    +2
    This guy is a trip. Wonder how his book is going...is it finished? is it selling? Why is this goof ball, who is only thinking of number one, still trying to capitalize on his association with the campaign. Does he not realize he has had his 15 minutes of Andy Warhol fame has been finished ofr a long time. Nobody cares! Does he not realise he was only a tool
  • Rondolce 2009/05/10 01:10:18
    None of the above
    Rondolce
    +2
    The leadership role's too much for a guy who couldn't follow Obama's explanation of his tax plan.
  • crsone 2009/05/09 20:57:39
    None of the above
    crsone
    +2
    Wasn't this fool always more of a libertarian than a Republican anyway? This was always about fame
  • Rome is burning 2009/05/09 17:03:18
    None of the above
    Rome is burning
    +3
    He's a big giant dumbass. He passively agreed that Obama was going to blow up Israel because someone in the press conference asked him about it. I'm paraphrasing but his response was basicly "I have no clue what you're talking about but I'll go ahead and agree with that". He's always been a jackass and I love him for it. His level of intelligence is indicative of what the rest of the dumbasses are thinking. They are a washed up party of washed up ideas and all they have left on their side are Darwins rejects. They can yell as loud as they want and they can tea bag eachother as often as they want but the truth is inescapable: they are irrelavent.
  • MOM - LOL@Silly.St.Sarah.of... 2009/05/09 16:33:56
    None of the above
    MOM - LOL@Silly.St.Sarah.of.Wasilly
    +3
    It's a ploy to derail the Democratic Party!
    He will join them, and every Liberal will say, they can not possibly relate to such idiot ideals as his, and switch to the GOP!
    LOL
  • susan 2009/05/09 05:55:37
    None of the above
    susan
    +2
    Now why would that concern me at all? The fact that anyone with half a brain (or no brain at all) would listen to this idiot as some insightful individual who represented Everyman and as the personification of conservative lock-step mind-think... well, I find that incredibly amazing!!! Now there is really a vacuum in the GOP and the conservative wing of the GOP. A black hole is more like it. To the GOP, I say this... keep on keeping on and doing what you've been doing!!!
  • Ruth 2009/05/09 04:33:16
    He's not really quitting. I can't believe it!
    Ruth
    +4
    Joe the "Plumber" loves attention. He supposedly got a good record deal and a book deal. If we are no longer watching, he will make no sales. Therefore, he created this "news" story.

    supposedly record deal book deal watching sales created news story


    People really lined up for this book signing.

    deal watching sales created news story people lined book signing

    deal watching sales created news story people lined book signing
  • ptete i... Ruth 2009/05/10 16:32:18
    ptete in left I trust ~ POTC**FUKU2**
    +3
    We need more republican "idols" like him. No wonder the party is falling apart.
  • Irons 2009/05/09 02:09:56
    None of the above
    Irons
    +4
    He is a boob, and so is everyone that thought he was something great.
  • -sasman- Irons 2009/05/09 02:54:01
    -sasman-
    +4
    The crop of heros for the GOP are well...

    crop heros gop
  • Irons -sasman- 2009/05/10 03:40:01
    Irons
    +2
    Great Movie
  • Ali ~ In My Heart I Trust ~ 2009/05/09 00:12:47
    He's not really quitting. I can't believe it!
    Ali ~ In My Heart I Trust ~
    +6
    Ploy for attention.

    Poor man - he thought he'd found his groove as a media darling and discovered no one cared about Samuel Wurzelbacher. Joe the Plumber? A little. Swan song for Joe.
  • Sumo- Living for the new year! 2009/05/08 21:19:24
    He hit himself between the eyes with a monkey wrench and is stunned.
    Sumo- Living for the new year!
    +5
    His book deal went on the skids, so what is new? The repugs have many more joes to choose from. Bye bye.
  • painted desert 2009/05/08 15:49:10
    He hit himself between the eyes with a monkey wrench and is stunned.
    painted desert
    +7
    I don't really give a damn what that man does. The GOP is losin em like rats from a sinking ship! I don't think the dems are just jumpin to get him on their side. And did you hear his comment about not letting his children around gays. "They are called Queer for a reason". Huh? Then he better keep them locked in the house hear comment letting children gays queer reason huh locked house and never let them out! The post man might be gay or the teacher at their school might be gay. Oh I would put money on one of their friend will grow up and be coming out of the closet someday! OH NO!!! That man is a total waste of time. His 15 minutes of fame are gone just like his plumbing license.
  • -sasman- painted... 2009/05/08 20:24:10
    -sasman-
    +3
    LOL! Funny pix too... It might be better if he never came out in public again.
  • DJ*~ painted... 2009/05/10 16:10:13
    DJ*~
    +1
    lol...Says it all. Would not be surprised if he tried running for office...it might be the only way to demonstrate nobody cares
  • Kris 2009/05/08 15:13:13
    He hit himself between the eyes with a monkey wrench and is stunned.
    Kris
    +4
    Say it ain't so JOE ! bye bye now!
  • Chocolat-In the universe I ... 2009/05/08 12:31:31
    He hit himself between the eyes with a monkey wrench and is stunned.
    Chocolat-In the universe I trust.
    +8
    Proof he is unstable.
  • thakatchaser 2009/05/08 05:52:47
    He hit himself between the eyes with a monkey wrench and is stunned.
    thakatchaser
    +7
    He didnt wanna be a GOP, good ol pussy no more..lol
  • 477777 thakatc... 2009/05/09 15:11:07
    477777
    +2
    Oh god that not something i want to hear, no more pussy!
  • Warren - Novus Ordo Seclorum 2009/05/08 05:13:34
    He hit himself between the eyes with a monkey wrench and is stunned.
    Warren - Novus Ordo Seclorum
    +10
    He's absolutely right. All us leftwing atheist marxist extremists here in northern CA. will blow your brains out with a bazooka if you say "In God We Trust".

    Seriously.. How stupid is this moron? Has the village idiot ever left his inbred little village?

    brains bazooka god trust stupid moron village idiot inbred village
  • 477777 2009/05/08 04:29:13
    None of the above
    477777
    +6
    Say it isn't so JOE, another Whack Job in the Libertarian party? Maybe Palin will follow suit?
  • Not Einstein 2009/05/08 04:01:17
    None of the above
    Not Einstein
  • Diverbelo 2009/05/08 03:26:20
    None of the above
    Diverbelo
    +2
    Welcome to the Libertarian movement Joe>
  • Kino 2009/05/08 03:13:20 (edited)
    He hit himself between the eyes with a monkey wrench and is stunned.
    Kino
    +4
    Another round of "Political Expediency". Yes, the D.C. board game that even Joe the Plumber knows how to play.

    At least with his personal beliefs he won't fit in the Democratic party. I'm thinking he's about to become a LIbertarian headache.
  • murf 2009/05/08 02:38:13
    None of the above
    murf
    because there is no difference in dems and repubs
  • WORLDPEACE 2009/05/08 02:23:13
    None of the above
    WORLDPEACE
    +3
    Maybe he is on to the fact that his friends lost. he still needs face time on the TV so he's got to re-invent something!
  • -sasman- WORLDPEACE 2009/05/08 02:28:33
    -sasman-
    +6
    No doubt! He is still an opportunist... no matter who's shirt he wears...

    doubt opportunist shirt wears
  • WORLDPEACE -sasman- 2009/05/08 02:34:33
    WORLDPEACE
    +2
    Totally agree with you. And so is Senator What's his name, oh, yeah, Spector! Just trying out a little low key humor on this question.
  • Torchy 2009/05/08 01:38:22
    None of the above
    Torchy
    +8
    Well, he has/had a book deal, I betcha he needs another 15 minutes...
  • flaca BN-0 2009/05/08 01:29:27
    None of the above
    flaca BN-0
    +5
    Isn't it likely that he has been doing some overspending of his own (or living beyond his means) if he has a lien on his house?
  • Wintermute ~ Tape Operator 2009/05/08 01:21:36
  • -sasman- Winterm... 2009/05/08 01:24:01
    -sasman-
    +8
    Seems the Libertarians are going to have to protect their borders. HA!
  • Winterm... -sasman- 2009/05/08 01:35:27
  • Its Ms.MiMi,b!tch 2009/05/08 01:15:19
    He's found a job as a hairdresser.
    Its Ms.MiMi,b!tch
    +7
    looks like the 15 min have run out..
  • RanceCo R.I.P. MJ 2009/05/08 01:07:52
    He hit himself between the eyes with a monkey wrench and is stunned.
    RanceCo R.I.P. MJ
    +12
    Evidently showing his crack while pretending to be a plumber wasn't enough. He had to go and start smoking crack too. He should have stayed with the "ones who brung him". His being a staged plant for the GOP gave him more than the normal 15 minutes of fame. He got a whole 30 minutes out of the deal!
    staged plant gop normal 15 minutes fame 30 minutes deal

See Votes by State

The map above displays the winning answer by region.

News & Politics

2013/05/25 23:04:54

Hot Questions on SodaHead
More Hot Questions

More Community More Originals