Joe the Plumber plunges into journalism

Most are going to find John McCain's campaign trail pal all wet when it comes to reporting.
James Rainey
LA Times

February 11, 2009

Muscling the "hot" and "cold" handles didn't work. So I removed them altogether and cranked down on the valves with a set of pliers. Still, water flowed out the spigot, into the bath and down the drain.

The plumber arrived not long after and, in no time, ended the deluge. I was $180 poorer, but it was worth it to have a professional make sure I didn't create Pasadena's newest wetlands.

That domestic scene came back to me as I watched videos of "Joe the Plumber" working the halls of Congress last week, promising to ferret out hard truths about the economic stimulus package.

There went Joe, interviewing his cabdriver and some senators, scowling about stimulus money going to Hollywood hotshots, insisting that real Americans don't back President Obama's plan.

It turns out Samuel J. Wurzelbacher looks about as capable with a microphone and a tough news story as I do with a wrench and a bathroom mess.

(More here.)