Joe the Plumber is rapidly becoming the Kevin Federline of politics, the guy you watch embarrass himself and then can't wait for his 15 minutes of fame to be over so he can slide into a well deserved obscurity. Even Shep Smith of Fox News can't believe how stupid the guy is in the video below.
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Ed Brayton is a journalist, commentator and speaker. He is the co-founder and president of Michigan Citizens for Science and co-founder of The Panda's Thumb. He has written for such publications as The Bard, Skeptic and Reports of the National Center for Science Education, spoken in front of many organizations and conferences, and appeared on nationally syndicated radio shows and on C-SPAN. Ed is also a Fellow with the Center for Independent Media and the host of Declaring Independence, a one hour weekly political talk show on WPRR in Grand Rapids, Michigan.(static)
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Joe the Plumber is a Moron. Film at 11. On Fox News.
Posted on: October 30, 2008 9:30 AM, by Ed Brayton
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Comments
When I saw the clip yesterday I had to check the logo at the bottom of the screen to make sure it said Fox News. Worth watching for that last five seconds.
Meanwhile Joe's the Plumber's recent antics are letting the Democrats off the hook. His "plight" wasn't very convincing for the moderate voters to begin with, but I suspect the piling on some Democrats did afterwards may have generated some sympathy for him. Now... the man is toxic to McCain amongst anyone but the base who will be voting for him anyway.
Posted by: tacitus | October 30, 2008 10:07 AM
The best is his expression at the end there: "Man, it gets frightening at times"
Posted by: frank | October 30, 2008 10:11 AM
Is it just me, or is Joe's story arc exactly the same as Palin's? He shows up to much fanfare and generates much excitement among Republicans and the media, and slowly reveals himself to be absurd bobblehead concerned with self-aggrandizement and nothing else.
It's almost like McCain doesn't fact-check anything before glomming on.
Posted by: schism | October 30, 2008 10:12 AM
Shepard Smith has continued to be a island of sanity on fox news.
("Joe" the plumber was imploding long before this but this puts the final nail in his 15 minutes)
Posted by: yoshi | October 30, 2008 10:14 AM
Posted by: Herod the Freemason | October 30, 2008 10:21 AM
Best. Description. of him Ever.
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp, KoT, OM | October 30, 2008 10:28 AM
I'm glad Joe the Plumber asked Obama about his tax plan, but now, Joe-The-Plumber should keep his mouth shut and go away. It seems Joe the Plumber missed Obama's appearance at the AIPAC conference back in June, in which both Democrats and Republicans pledge support for Israel, a support that is really the only true bipartisan issue anyone can find in Washington.
Posted by: Goldbrick4 | October 30, 2008 10:34 AM
Wow there sure are a lot of really bad things that will happen if Obama gets elected! Wow.
"A vote for Obama, is a vote for no puppies."
Posted by: 386sx | October 30, 2008 10:38 AM
Joe the Plumber might be a cannibalistic pedophile, puppy killer and drug dealer in addition to being an unlicensed plumber, and tax evader.
I'm just sayin...I want everyone else to go investigate and come up with their own facts.
Posted by: David C. Brayton | October 30, 2008 10:54 AM
Joe the plumber is exactly the kind of man that conservatives need today. Opportunistic, entitled to power and attention, malleable, and exploitable. Look for him in 2012 on the Palin-Wurtzelbacher ticket.
Posted by: howard | October 30, 2008 11:05 AM
"A vote for Obama, is a vote for no puppies."
A a counter-point, does a vote for Palin spell doom for kittens?
Joe seems to be in in the position of thinking that his national exposure would lead to
fame and fortune without anyone actually asking him questions he'd have to answer. Whether the behavior on this video is the result of being unaccustomed talking to those who want answers rather than simple agreement, or tells us something deeper about his character and ability I can't answer; but I do agree it's time for everyone to stop dwelling on him and his opinions.
Posted by: dean | October 30, 2008 11:07 AM
Joe the Plumber is the equivalent of William Hung, trying to wring every last drop of fame and money he can out of his 15 minutes before he disappears. The only question is which reality show he'll end up on, the Surreal Life or Celebrity Rehab. Or heck, maybe he'll be one of the "gold tooth diggers" looking to hook up with Flava Flav.
Posted by: Ed Brayton | October 30, 2008 11:22 AM
I've been saying Joe is Kato Kaelin, but I'm just looking at the "15 minutes of fame" thing -- there probably are better analogs out there to be found. Do your own research...
Posted by: xebecs | October 30, 2008 11:28 AM
Joe the Plumber has hired a publicist, and may also have a record deal.
The Earth is doomed.
Posted by: Technogeek | October 30, 2008 11:34 AM
Hate to be nit-picky and parochial here, Ed but you seem to have spelt William Hague incorrectly.
Posted by: eddie | October 30, 2008 11:43 AM
i still say this was a calculated maneuver by foxnews. this is not smith being "fair and balanced". this is foxnews playing their same old shtick:
1. joe the plumber says something outrageous.
2. smith questions what he says, but follows up with the mccain campaign stating that joe is a good guy! they even put mccain's words *on the screen* to underline how great a guy joe is and how obama's judgment must be questioned.
3. smith then tells us "obama says...", knowing that they have portrayed obama as a liar repeatedly, so nothing obama *says* is to be believed (note that obama's words are not displayed on the screen).
4. also, it does "get frightening" sometimes... something the right has said over and over about an obama presidency.
this is foxnews saying the same old thing, but trying to appear aboveboard. the base comes away knowing that obama wants to destroy israel, foxnews has plausible deniability.
Posted by: arin | October 30, 2008 11:54 AM
Techogeek - RE: Joe the Plumber's record.
Hmm I think I'd put that on my X-mas list, right underneath "William Shatner, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and Bjork sing your favorite Falsetto Disco Christmas Hits (Ukrainian re-mix)". I'm sure there is some relative out there I hate that much.
Posted by: DingoJack | October 30, 2008 12:18 PM
his is not smith being "fair and balanced". this is foxnews playing their same old shtick:
I haven't watched Fox News or cable TV in a long time. I only see clips on the net. Perhaps you're right about Smith, but I wouldn't find it difficult to believe that he is, privately, an Obama supporter. Actually, I'd be very surprised if he could support a ticket that includes a fundie-zealot.
I know, I know. Roy Cohn. But, I don't believe that's the situation.
Posted by: Dr X | October 30, 2008 12:55 PM
What needs to be pointed out is this:
Joe says that he believes voting for Obama is voting for the death of Israel.
Joe says this is because he found his reason for believing this.
When pointed out that Obama has stated unequivocally and clearly that Israel is the US's friend and the US will have Israel's back... Joe says that he doesn't believe what politicians say.
So why does Joe disbelieve what Obama says, and what action does he give to Shep when pushed for one?
Obama says he'll meet with leaders of other countries unfriendly to Israel.
Yeah... So he doesn't believe what politicians say, but he believes what politicians say.
Anyone else dizzy yet?
Posted by: Christopher | October 30, 2008 1:05 PM
dean:
You asked:
"A a counter-point, does a vote for Palin spell doom for kittens?"
In an ironic way, that is probably about how it will work out. As the ImPalinator is passionately for non-passion amongst teenagers she will almost undoubtedly want to push for an amendment outlawing Onanism (the practice of "self abuse--why on earth do they call it that?--not the use of power lawn and garden implements by that name). Unfortunately, as Miss Poppy Dixon @ http://www.misspoppy.com/ knows, masturbation kills kittens. Oh, it's horrible; oh, the felinity!
http://www.misspoppy.com/
Posted by: democommie | October 30, 2008 1:09 PM
Eddie,
I believe Ed was referring to William Hung of American Idol fame, not William Hague of Tory political infamy.
Posted by: Chuck | October 30, 2008 1:11 PM
"but I suspect the piling on some Democrats did afterwards "
piling on? what? just like with Palin, McBlinky opened the door and all this crap came tumbling out. McBlinky repeated his name 20 times and the media said "Oh boy fresh donuts" and went running. and they found.. lies, schemes, wacko ideas and odd personal habits....just like Palin!
Joe the "Slow motion train wreck" has manufactured sympathy and manufactured outrage. nothing real there.
Posted by: Kevin | October 30, 2008 2:05 PM
I think Joe is at 14:59.
Posted by: Nemo | October 30, 2008 2:29 PM
Posted by: Herod the Freemason | October 30, 2008 2:34 PM
I wanna see hands: how many think that Joe the Exaggerator and his crowd actually care about Jews?
Posted by: jws | October 30, 2008 3:24 PM
jws,
My hand is not up.
Jim
Posted by: Jim51 | October 30, 2008 4:38 PM
Democommie:
"Onanism" is named for Onan, who you likely never heard about in Sunday School. He was smitten dead by the God of Israel for "spilling his seed upon the ground." But he wasn't actually whackin' it - he was supposed to be impregnating his brother's widow, on orders from that same G of I.
I don't explain 'em, just report 'em.
Posted by: Coragyps | October 30, 2008 5:27 PM
Just wondering, does a vote for McCain mean death to Palestinians? Spose that would be alright then.
Posted by: wobert | October 30, 2008 5:29 PM
Joe the Plumber says:
Obama wants to destroy Israel but I refuse to tell you why I believe that.
Tincture says:
That's fucking pathetic, Joe.
Posted by: tincture | October 30, 2008 6:12 PM
@ Coragyps:
The real question is how Onan the company got away with that name when they started. (Mimic the motion of the piston in a small stationary one-cylinder engine with one hand and think about it!)
Posted by: Lurkbot | October 30, 2008 6:48 PM
Coragyps:
I didn't go to Sunday School--raised Cath-O-Lick--we got it monday through friday at the parochial school.
I did know about Onan, though, and the story about GOD whacking him. Two out of three online dictionaries I checked listed masturbation as a secondary definition to coitus interruptus. But if somebody did get whacked for whacking, let me know who it was!
Lurkbot:
That was my thought the first time I drove past one of their dealers showrooms.
Posted by: democommie | October 30, 2008 8:16 PM
schism: "Is it just me, or is Joe's story arc exactly the same as Palin's?"
That was the premise of The Daily Show's coverage Wednesday. And then they tied Shepard Smith to the "Palin Gone Rogue" theme.
Speaking of McCain mouthpieces who won't back up their mealy words with actual facts, this has been a popular link today:
http://www.eschatonblog.com/2008_10_26_archive.html#1410485982950890429
Posted by: Grumpy | October 30, 2008 8:16 PM
"Joe the Plumber might be a cannibalistic pedophile, puppy killer and drug dealer in addition to being an unlicensed plumber, and tax evader. I'm just sayin...I want everyone else to go investigate and come up with their own facts."
That... THAT is the perfect response. Thanks!
Posted by: Delaware Dave | October 30, 2008 8:41 PM
"Joe the Plummer is a MUSLIM! Film at 11, on FOX" -DJ
Posted by: DingoJack | October 30, 2008 10:54 PM
Joe is a handy man that calls himself a plumber, A right wing counter saleman calls himself an "engineer", another right wing counter salesman calls himself "Customer Representative", note appeal to authority, this is common among right wingers and fundies. SAD!
Posted by: richCares | October 30, 2008 11:24 PM
I don't get Christians who believe in an All-Powerful Super Being - One who has chosen Israel as his special project - quaking in fear that Obama will bring about her downfall.
(I know. I had you at, "I don't get Christians,")
Posted by: Ick of the East | October 31, 2008 1:22 AM
richCares:
Back about 20 years ago when I was pumping gas for a living while "exploring other opportunities" I told people I was a "Petroleum distribution specialist--retail markets".
Posted by: democommie | October 31, 2008 8:11 AM
"Shepard Smith has continued to be a island of sanity on fox news."
True - even if he does think administering repeated electric shocks to protesters is fucking hilarious.
Posted by: Ian Gould | October 31, 2008 8:44 AM
Joe the Plumber endorses real American John McCain. As opposed to someone else, who might not be a real American. About two weeks ago numerous Replublicans got caught with the "real Virginia" "real American" "pro-American" BS and it blew up on them. You would think they would learn. I guess Joe the Plumber didn't get the memo that resulted from that disastrous weekend.
Posted by: Herod the Freemason | October 31, 2008 9:06 AM
I have 3 cats and each one has a higher IQ than Joe whatever, he is non entity,let him die
Posted by: ex patriot | October 31, 2008 10:20 AM
It's a shame that some Republicans look up to Joe the Plumber as some kind of pundit on the economy and foreign policy. In fact, all the publicity surrounding him and the McCain campaign's charade of populism are a joke.
Posted by: NP | November 1, 2008 9:45 PM