The TV debates

A quick discussion about the presidential debates this morning revealed that students (a hat tip to Ben Winders here) thought that McCain seemed to spend more time attacking Obama rather than saying what he would do himself. Now it turns out that “Joe the plumber” doesn’t even exist

As the financial crisis appears to be deepening, Obama is maintaining his lead in the polls. Being ahead before the TV debates kicked off meant that Obama had more to lose than to gain from going head to head with his Republican opponent. This was Obama’s chance to show he could stand up to McCain’s close scrutiny of his record and neutrals appear to think that he pulled it off.

McCain attacked Obama principally on his tax plan, arguing that it would hurt hard working Americans—particularly those who had been most affected by the current situation in the markets. He frequently referred to a man who had tackled Obama during a campaign stop who told the Democrat nominee that he would lose out financially if he became president. It appears, however, that “Joe the plumber” was being a little disingenuous.

According to the BBC website:

‘Doubt has been cast over the story of “Joe the plumber”, the man who unexpectedly became the star of this week’s US presidential debate.

Joe Wurzelbacher, of Ohio, was thrown into the spotlight after he was used by John McCain as an example of who might suffer under Barack Obama’s tax plans.

But it now emerges he is not a licensed plumber and owes $1,200 in back taxes.

Joe Wurzelbacher, 34, found himself at the centre of a media frenzy on Thursday after “Joe the plumber” was mentioned 26 times during the final debate.

A week earlier, he had confronted Mr Obama at a rally, questioning the Democratic candidate on tax plans that would see him taxed more if a plumbing
business he hoped to buy earned more than $250,000 a year.

He was held by Mr McCain in the debate as an example of an every day hard-working American who would be penalised by Mr Obama’s tax policy.

However, a bit of media digging has uncovered that Mr Wurzelbacher’s first name is actually Samuel and he does not have a plumber’s licence, although the company he works for does.

According to Tony Herrera, of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 50 in Toledo, Ohio, Mr Wurzelbacher cannot practise in Toledo without a licence - although he can work for someone with a master’s licence or in outlying areas that do not require a licence.

According to local court records, Mr Wurzelbacher also owes the state of Ohio $1,182.98 in personal income tax.

Mr Wurzelbacher acknowledged he did not have a plumber’s licence and admitted in one interview he was “not even close” to earning $250,000.’