Audio: John Gibson and I discuss Joe the Plumber
posted at 5:35 pm on October 20, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Last Friday, I appeared on the John Gibson radio show on Fox to talk about the phenomenon of Joe the Plumber — and especially the media reaction to him. Gibson let me rant a little, and then we had the opportunity to engage one of his callers. Hilarity ensues:
We’ve heard this pushback in the comment threads here as well. Joe’s a public figure, just like Cindy Sheehan! Well, no he’s not. Sheehan deliberately put herself on the stump as a political activist. Joe was tossing a football in his front yard when Obama engaged Joe, not the other way around.
Now he’s being forced to answer for political affiliations from 20 or more years ago in ways that the media have explicitly avoided with Obama himself. The Tanning Bed Media have an odd double standard: vet people who have the temerity to ask a question of a political candidate while excusing themselves from that same effort on the candidate himself.
I always have fun with John, but this was one of the most fun segments we’ve had together.
Blowback
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Ed-
You look like someone crossed Rush Limbaugh and Yogi Berra.
-legs
mylegsareswollen on October 20, 2008 at 5:38 PM
Joe the plumber is on the Hannity radio show right now.
Mcguyver on October 20, 2008 at 5:38 PM
Legs,
I need a new headshot. I’ve lost about 60 pounds or more since that photo got taken. I may see if the same friend who took that one wouldn’t mind taking a more flattering pic now.
Ed Morrissey on October 20, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Which is one more piece of evidence that he is not a public figure. He just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. He’d like nothing more than to get back to throwing footballs, installing P-traps and maybe studying for his licensing exam, but he is forced, against his will, presumably by tax-and-spend Liberals, to appear on one TV show after another.
factoid on October 20, 2008 at 5:44 PM
Actually, if his hair was darker in that pic, he’d kinda look like Tony Soprano.
thirteen28 on October 20, 2008 at 5:46 PM
John in Rochester is a MORON!
Ed, stop apologizing about being Conservative. And you are right, B.O. is an idiot who asked a question of a guy whom he has no clue about and had to answer a question that he didn’t want to because he was put on the spot!
Sucks to be B.O., and do not question the B.O.!
upinak on October 20, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Nice interview, Ed. Love the picture, by the way. You look like a genial mobster.
Spirit of 1776 on October 20, 2008 at 5:46 PM
I know how you feel Ed. My wife told me had a disturbing resemblance to Ted Bundy, but unlike you I can’t lose my face like you did your weight.
Alas, I forge ahead.
mylegsareswollen on October 20, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Forget about it.
wise_man on October 20, 2008 at 5:48 PM
I’m with her, and I wish more people would stop it. Nothing to apologize for.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 20, 2008 at 5:49 PM
Ed – give up on those last strands. Just go full-rudy.
Accept the grim reality :)
lorien1973 on October 20, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Drudge has been brutal today…
This morning: Obama +4.8
This afternoon: Obama +5.2
Now: Obama +5.8
Criminies.
lorien1973 on October 20, 2008 at 5:51 PM
check this out if you haven’t checked out Fox in a couple of hours.
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/20/obama-praised-searing-timely-book-ayers/
upinak on October 20, 2008 at 5:56 PM
mylegsareswollen on October 20, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Screw it… she married you. She can get over it.
DaveS on October 20, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Ed- MM sure knew what she was doing when she brought you aboard. Thanks for all you do and I hope you are here to stay.
Les in NC on October 20, 2008 at 6:00 PM
He’s defending himself like anyone else should do.
Les in NC on October 20, 2008 at 6:02 PM
Buck up, you fucking ninny.
ManlyRash on October 20, 2008 at 6:03 PM
Just don’t look at the polls! They are so skewed anyway!
tru2tx on October 20, 2008 at 6:09 PM
I don’t think anything is more telling then Joe the plumber. This election is defined by him. Question Obama and you are vilified, anoint him and you are honored.
Here is a private citizen, asking a simple question.
When at the beginning Obama said he would not be “swiftboated”, that any attempt would be met with force. That the lesson of Kerry was that any attack needs to be not just defended, but the attacker needs to be destroyed, is carried out to the extreme. And it has worked, every attack has been met with a counter attack, even an honest question from a citizen.
Even rising to the point of Obama not having to answer any questions at all now form anyone.
He has taken the tact of the “Nation of Islam”, any one attacking will be destroyed, and defamed…and the MSM cannot attack Islam, cannot attack Farrakahn, cannot attack Obama.
right2bright on October 20, 2008 at 6:14 PM
When Senator Government has a problem with you, you’re supposed to lie down and take it.
/iSarc… at least until November
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 20, 2008 at 6:15 PM
No, Captain, Joe was in a rope line. He could have stayed on his lawn, but he went over and talked to Obama. Joe approached Obama — he’s said that on at least one talk show.
Joe, for better or for worse, is now in the public spotlight, and his blaming Obama and McCain for dealing with him rather than dealing with substantive issues is disingenuous — Joe’s question IS a substantive issue, as every conservative will avow, and every liberal will disavow.
If Joe were a multi-millionaire, or a guy who claimed destitution while his kids attended a swank private school, then the character assassination might make sense — but Joe is a single dad, with debt problems, trying to make ends meet, and dreaming of a brighter future, which he felt might be blighted by Obama’s new programs. That Obama confirmed Joe’s worst fears is the topic of the day.
unclesmrgol on October 20, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Redistribution of wealth
Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign the read “Vote Obama, I need the money.” I laughed.
Once in the restaurant my server had on a “Obama 08″ tie, again I laughed–just imagine the coincidence.
When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need–the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.
I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as Ive decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.
At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.
I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.
OR IS IT………REDISTRIBUTION OF SOMEONE ELSE’S WEALTH IS A GREAT IDEA…………..or just a fools political game !!
originalpechanga on October 20, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Please keep it clean. We don’t want to be looked at like the leftoid blogs.
Buford Gooch on October 20, 2008 at 6:20 PM
I choose to reload.
Les in NC on October 20, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Harsh but fair.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 20, 2008 at 6:21 PM
You have chosen… wisely!
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 20, 2008 at 6:22 PM
OriginalP, that is absolutely brilliant! Well played. Nothing like a little bit of pain to drive the lesson home … 8^)
GoHskrs on October 20, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Priceless
Les in NC on October 20, 2008 at 6:23 PM
I don’t post often but read very often. You are a very good addition with the last round open registers.
Les in NC on October 20, 2008 at 6:25 PM
Great points as usual Ed. It’s just unbelievable the logic some people have. Joe is the same as Cindy? Maybe on planet Big “O”, but not here on earth.
Hog Wild on October 20, 2008 at 6:25 PM
Good thing you waited until you were totally done and didn’t have a doggy bag.
Even though I am a conservative, I remember working my rump off back in the day for my tips. If someone would have said that to me…. they might be wearing their lunch/dinner… or accidentally taking something else home besides food.
upinak on October 20, 2008 at 6:26 PM
Aw shucks, thanks :)
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 20, 2008 at 6:26 PM
you should come in more often.
Grue is a great guy.. :)
upinak on October 20, 2008 at 6:27 PM
I read often, can’t post from work. I have read Grue’s posts often. Thus the compliment.
Les in NC on October 20, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Awesomeness. Let us hope your lesson sinks in before the election.
Anna on October 20, 2008 at 6:29 PM
I like your’s too upinak.
Les in NC on October 20, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Oh, and I did my stint as a waitress myself, back in the day. Tips were earned, never expected. Too many in the service industy expect them nowadays, no matter how crappy their service is. Dude shouldn’t be wearing a political tie to work, and not expect some sort of blowback.
Or, I could just be in a mean mood right now. : |
Anna on October 20, 2008 at 6:32 PM
Absolutely Fantastic! Nothing teaches better than a harsh example. Like Anna stated.
VikingGoneWild on October 20, 2008 at 6:35 PM
I don’t think he would have done it if the waitress hadn’t been wearing an Obama tie. Since I can’t see you wearing one I don’t think you would have had anything to fear :)
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 20, 2008 at 7:01 PM
It is funny how all these liberals in liberal states and cities wear Obama ’08 buttons and then congratulate themselves on their ‘courage’. Try wearing a McCain-Palin button in a latter place on the Upper West Side – now that would be courageous!
Hilts on October 20, 2008 at 8:27 PM
I voted today. I voted for McCain and Palin twice. I inked in the little box and when I finished the entire ballot, I inked the McCain/Palin box again. Sorry, that’s the best I could do. Tennessee would only allow me one ballot. I did have to either show a driver’s license or a voter registration card. Without a voter card, one’s drivers license is comapared to the registration list – no match no vote.
Tennessee is a state that may go to McCain 60/40. Obamma will probably carry Shelby County (Memphis) – big deal. There are some counties in upper East Tennessee where Obamma will get at least one vote, maybe.
Pelayo on October 20, 2008 at 9:21 PM
originalpechanga on October 20, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Awesome. A mother on one of the talk radio shows here gave the same example to her daughter. Her daughter came home with her paycheck and Mom told her to give $20.00 to her brother because he doesn’t have a job. She explained that what Obama would do and that why there is a McCain /Plalin sign in her front yard.
Gracelynn on October 20, 2008 at 10:51 PM