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God knows some journalist somewhere is checking to see if Joe the Plumber paid the vehicle tax on… whatever it is he drives. OK, so the profile: plumber, aspiring licensed plumber, aspiring licensed plumber aspiring to own his own business (I’m sure Joe’s boss was a bit nonplussed by that one). Does he need a worktruck? If so, his boss would probably provide it (and claim it as a depreciating asset). So what do we reckon Joe makes a year now? Fifty k? And let’s say his wife works too. Does he even have a vehicle of his own? And if he did, what would it be?
32 Comments on “Question of the Day: WWJTPD (What Would Joe the Plumber Drive)?...”
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Video related? He probably drives an f150 or Econoline van. The more important question would be what does his wife drive. That was the problem that led us to this point, people driving industrial size vehicles suited to plumbers and pipe-fitters as family vehicles and daily commuters.
joe_thousandaire :
Better?
I’d guess Joe drives a pickup & his wife drives a medium to large suv, or cuv.
Chevy HHR panel truck. Just kidding, but Chevy Express van would work nicely.
The hit pieces on Joe The Plumber by the media are comical. Joe’s actually his middle name, Joe owes 1500 in back taxes… next they’ll dig up a childhood friend who witnessed him kick puppies.
Joe’s personal vehicle is an early/mid 90’s f150 or Silverado with an extended cab, probably 2wd.
Joe’s wife drives a late 90’s/early 00’s Caravan, Windstar or Venture.
I could be wrong with my answers to your questions, but this I would bet my right pinky: Joe owns a dog and has been hunting at least once in his life. Hopefully he doesn’t kick that dog.
RayH: My friend’s dad fits the profile you outlined almost to the T. Extended cab dualie Chevy truck, ’88 I believe, two wire haired german pointers, goes hunting, wife drives a white Astrovan.
During the week, he drives the boss’s van. The better question is what he says he has at home and what is actually there. He claims he hopes to buy the plumbing business that now supposedly nets over 250 K/year. That would certainly be a great buy at anything under a $1,000,000, no? You picture this character getting a loan that size? This guy’s a joke, an imposter, and probably a plant. Or in the alternative, delusional. Great guy to choose, John!
Joe (Sam J Wurzelbacher) is a single dad of a 13 y.o., so there is no wife in the picture. Media estimates that he makes ~40k. My guess is he drives a Hyundai Accent or a Kia Rio. Or maybe a Ford Focus, like Dennis Kucinich.
“Joe the Plumber” drives the remainder of the McCain campaign, most likely over a cliff.
His constant media attention drives me crazy.
If Joe has any sense, he drives a Sprinter 2500. Build out the back with bins for plumbing bits galore, a couple thousand pounds of it, and still get 25mpg with the 5cyl turbo diesel. Diesel = fun from 0-20 mph.
R.F.:
LMAO better
I bet single dad Joe drives a mid-size 4×4 SUV. In Toledo, he would need a vehicle that could get him to work when pipes break in winter storms. However, he would also need to have passenger room for his son and friends.
If he were shopping for a new vehicle, Joe might be interested in a better fuel economy from a diesel engine or a smaller, lighter CUV, but he’d still need to get to work during really bad weather.
Barack Obama came to Joe’s neighborhood to use it as a backdrop for a photo op. Obama probably picked Joe as someone who would look like a blue collar guy on TV. However, Joe Wurzelbacher asked Barack Obama how Obama’s tax policy would affect Joe’s dream of owning a small business. It was Obama’s mistake to make the “spread the wealth around” comment.
As a proud “born and raised” Ohioan I’ll bet that Joe is driving a K-10 Blazer from about 1986 with about 180k on the Odo.
Joe: VW Cabrio in Lima Bean Green
Wife: 1967 Schwinn Manta Ray 5-Speed with a Flower Basket
Barack Obama came to Joe’s neighborhood to use it as a backdrop for a photo op. Obama probably picked Joe as someone who would look like a blue collar guy on TV. However, Joe Wurzelbacher asked Barack Obama how Obama’s tax policy would affect Joe’s dream of owning a small business. It was Obama’s mistake to make the “spread the wealth around” comment.
On the contrary, its the widely held belief that Joe is/was a McCain plant that went to pick with Obama. Unfortunately, it back fired and the crowd there liked what Barack had to say. How do I know this? I don’t think Obama would pick someone to talk with who would later make a covertly racist comment on television on how he, Barack, “tapped-danced” around the question.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7673170.stm
John R: On the contrary, its the widely held belief that Joe is/was a McCain plant that went to pick with Obama.
So the McCain campaign cleverly ‘planted” someone in a neighborhood that…was chosen by the Obama campaign for an meet-and-greet. Never mind that Joe the Plumber already lived there. Those McCain folks sure are deviously clever.
John R: How do I know this? I don’t think Obama would pick someone to talk with who would later make a covertly racist comment on television on how he, Barack, “tapped-danced” around the question.
Yes, because Senator Obama is clairvoyant, and knows what each person will say days and even weeks in advance.
I’m also trying to figure out how saying someone “tap danced” around a question is somehow racist. Do only African-Americans like to tap dance? Someone needs to tell this to the 60-something former executive assistant in our office, who takes weekly tap lessons, and sure looks white to me (along with the rest of her classmates).
@geeber:
If you bothered to click the link you could read that Wurzelbacher made a thinly veiled comparison to Sammy Davis Jr.
CBS News: http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/Joe_speaks.html?showall
From the tone of the phone call I doubt he’s rocking a Super-Obama t-shirt.
I must be stupid! Or colorblind.
I am Caucasian. I have tap-danced.
I have been a brand manager in a Fortune 500 company…and I have tap-danced there as well – albeit a different kind of tap dancing.
Sammy Davis tap-danced – for real.
Obama certainly tap-dances around requests for direct answers to direct questions. So does Barney Frank, so does Rick Wagoner, so does Nancy Pelosi (name anyone who comes to mind here for you – including John McCain).
So what about tap dancing is the exclusive province of/or more highly associated with any race, creed color or reproductive plumbing arrangement?
Really! You all ought to go work for the TSA – they need good profilers.
Oh! Yeah! While you’re busy profiling me, since I have admitted to tap dancing, you should know that I am straight and, when I was in my teens, enjoyed a couple of afternoons a week in a room full of girls in tights and leotards.
I am aware there are white tap-dancers and that Sammy Davis tapped danced so the question is why Sammy specifically? Why not someone else?
Quick!
Name another tap-dancer! No Googling allowed!
Now – what is so bad about being black and tap dancing? Why do all of you find it so offensive that a black man was mentioned? Is there something wrong – in all your minds – with being black? Some negative association? I don’t get it!
John R: I am aware there are white tap-dancers and that Sammy Davis tapped danced so the question is why Sammy specifically? Why not someone else?
It might have something to do with the fact that Sammy Davis, Jr., is by far the best-known tap dancer. If I was asked to immediately name a tap dancer, the first who would come to mind is Sammy Davis, Jr.
The second would be the late Gregory Hines, but – oops! – he was an African-American, too!
The third might be Shirley Temple, but unless one is a movie buff or over the age of 75, she wouldn’t come to mind immediately for most people.
As much as you might want it to be, what Joe the plumber said is not evidence of latent racism. It instead shows just how well-known Mr. Davis was for his dancing skills, which, the last time I checked, made him a lot of money and provided him with a very nice lifestyle.
@dgduris:
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being Black and tap-dancing nor there is anything wrong with being Black, period. Your assertion that I think there might be is puzzling. Also, not to be smart, but who is “all of you”?
My point is that an intelligent person could see that there is allusion being made in referencing Sammy Davis that goes beyond simply stating that Wurzelbacher believed Obama skirted around the question. I mean what could Sammy and Barrack have in common…besides tap-dancing that is? Also, what is that stereotype that Black people are known for…some kind of activity…it begins with d…
Why not simply state that Obama didn’t answer your question? If one says Obama tap-dances around anything better than Sammy Davis, intentionally or not, one puts it the mind of some listeners that Obama fulfills some kind of stereotype. What if I were to say that McCain is as exciting to listen to as Tex Williams instead of just saying he’s a bore?
Point is, Wurzelbacher should have kept that to himself.
@geeber:
How well Sammy made out in his career is immaterial. Are you implying that it was some sort of compliment?
Ultimately, my point is that the reference shouldn’t have been made at all. Reason being if you make that sort of allusion, why did you do it?
What is being missed here, and unfortunately not enough people are of, is the history of the minstrel show. Vaudevillian stage shows that featured White people in black face performing, guess what? Tap. I admire Hines and Davis very much, but there are mix feelings when it comes to Tap, so when Wurzelbacher made those comments, in a derisive manner, eyebrows in my household were raised.
Whether it was intentional or not we may never know. Wurzelbacher may have made the reference totally unaware of the history. However, for those who do know, the allusion is made.
He drives a last generation Dodge Durango. In black. It’s been all over the news.
John R: How well Sammy made out in his career is immaterial.
It’s very material, because if the subject is tap dancing, who is the first tap dancer who comes to mind? For most people…Sammy Davis, Jr., the man who made a fortune from it and brought it into the mainstream of entertainment.
Although, from now on, I guess we should reply with Shirley Temple to avoid offending any sensibilities…
John R: Ultimately, my point is that the reference shouldn’t have been made at all. Reason being if you make that sort of allusion, why did you do it?
Because tap dancing provides a very good metaphor for what Senator Obama (and Senator McCain, to be sure – but he wasn’t talking about him) do when attempting to NOT answer the question asked.
John R: What is being missed here, and unfortunately not enough people are of, is the history of the minstrel show. Vaudevillian stage shows that featured White people in black face performing, guess what? Tap.
And most modern films employ techniques first used in the racist Birth of a Nation.
And NASCAR started with a bunch of men who honed their driving skills as bootleggers.
And many of our Christmas traditions have pagan origins.
If we use your standards, I guess we’ll limit our activities to sitting in a dark room discussing the latest copy of The Nation, as virtually everything else will have some politically incorrect origin that forever bar our enjoyment of it (let alone use it as an example for anything).
John R: I admire Hines and Davis very much, but there are mix feelings when it comes to Tap, so when Wurzelbacher made those comments in a derisive manner eyebrows in my household were raised.
Those are your feelings and you are entitled to have them, but I’d suggest not projecting them on to everyone else.
@John R
Listen, if someone said to me that I tap danced around that question better than Sammy Davis, I’d take the compliment because Sammy Davis, JR. Was a hell of a tap dancer.
So why is it not a compliment to Barak on his ability to deftly avoid answering the question? Because their both black? I don’t get that. Unless you think there is something wrong with being black. Unless you think there is something wrong with the American history of dance. That’s it! You hate dance! You probably hate dancers because – you know – about dancers. And – yikes – what about black dancers?
John – dude – don’t interpret for others. Don’t make value judgements for others and then use them against third parties. Keep your prejudices to yourself and please don’t project them on others. That action is, in and of itself, prejudicial.
Sorry, RF!
@:dgduris
So why is it not a compliment to [Barack] on his ability to deftly avoid answering the question?
I’ve always wanted to ask one of these guys a question and really corner them. Unfortunately, I asked the question but I still got a tap dance… Almost as good as Sammy Davis Jr
This is supposedly a compliment? Are you serious? There is nothing complimentary about this.
…Because their both black? I don’t get that. Unless you think there is something wrong with being black. Unless you think there is something wrong with the American history of dance. That’s it! You hate dance! You probably hate dancers because – you know – about dancers. And – yikes – what about black dancers?
Again you’re assuming that I believe there is something wrong with being Black. I am really mystified by this. What I find wrong is using a Black person’s legacy (any person’s legacy really) to make derisive and tacitly racist comments about someone else.
Don’t make value [judgments] for others and then use them against third parties. Keep your prejudices to yourself and please don’t project them on others.
What prejudices? How is pointing out a statement is tacitly racist prejudice? Are you assuming that I’m racist against Blacks? That’s interesting as I am Black.
@geeber:
If your argument is that using Davis Jr is material because he is visible is one thing. However, this questionable:
It instead shows just how well-known Mr. Davis was for his dancing skills, which, the last time I checked, made him a lot of money and provided him with a very nice lifestyle.
So instead of the comment being an insult to Barack its actually a compliment to Sammy Davis?
Okay…
And most modern films employ techniques first used in the racist Birth of a Nation.</em
The debate here isn’t about how modern film techniques were developed. Its about how Tap and Sammy Davis are being used to create tacitly racist allusions.
And NASCAR started with a bunch of men who honed their driving skills as bootleggers.
And many of our Christmas traditions have pagan origins.
What do these things have to do with anything being discussed here? Aside from the fact that Tap, NASCAR, modern film and the Christmas Holiday all contain improbable trivia in their histories?
Tap, black face and the minstrel show are relevant because I allege that Tap and a Black entertainer was used to craft a racist remark.
I love the Republican base
-Do you make $250,000?
-No, but I might one day!
Wow, all this hey being made over a tap-dance comment! Go figure.
I just finished reading another post were someone commented that the Nigerians should stick to “spears” before they try their hand at restoring automobiles……….
Why dont you guys debate the merits of that comment, you will probably have a bit more fun with it!
@John R,
How is:
“I’ve always wanted to ask one of these guys a question and really corner them. Unfortunately, I asked the question but I still got a tap dance… Almost as good as Sammy Davis Jr” tacitly racist?
John R: What prejudices? How is pointing out a statement is tacitly racist prejudice? Are you assuming that I’m racist against Blacks? That’s interesting as I am Black.
You are ASSUMING that Joe the Plumber had a racist intent when he made the remark.
Which means that either you are skilled in mind-reading, or can automatically assume that referring to tap dancing and Sammy Davis, Jr., make any remark such as this racist in nature, both of which are quite a stretch.
John R: So instead of the comment being an insult to Barack its actually a compliment to Sammy Davis?
Okay…
Let’s go back to the beginning.
This was your original question: I am aware there are white tap-dancers and that Sammy Davis tapped danced so the question is why Sammy specifically? Why not someone else?
Sammy Davis, Jr., is by far our nation’s best-known tap dancer, even though he has been dead for years. Anyone making an off-the-cuff association with tap dancing would more than likely have his name pop into their head, not because they are closet members of the KKK. Please note that during the interview, the press didn’t say to Joe the Plumber, “Here are our questions in written form, you can go inside and research the internet to craft politically correct answers while we wait.”
Tap dancing is an appropriate metaphor for the song-and-dance routine that many politicians – not just Senator Obama – engage in rather than simply answer the question. This may come as a shock, but newspapers and editorial writers use that example ALL the time when describing answers provided (or, more accurately, not provided) by politicians, celebrities, athletes, etc.
There…is it really that hard to understand?
Senator Obama certainly danced around the question, but to assuage any easily offended sensibilities, I will say that he maneuvered around the question like a tuned Honda S2000 – lest the thought police come after me, too.
John R: The debate here isn’t about how modern film techniques were developed. Its about how Tap and Sammy Davis are being used to create tacitly racist allusions.
You alleged that because tap dance had its roots in vaudeville and black-faced routines, it is therefore inherently racist, and anyone who uses this as an example must have a racist intent. I therefore brought up these other examples to show you that many sports and forms of popular entertainment had unsavory roots, and it should not disqualify us from enjoying them, or using them as examples in a discussion.
John R: What do these things have to do with anything being discussed here? Aside from the fact that Tap, NASCAR, modern film and the Christmas Holiday all contain improbable trivia in their histories?
See above.
John R: Tap, black face and the minstrel show are relevant because I allege that Tap and a Black entertainer was used to craft a racist remark.
Again, see above.
Joe should be driving a Sprinter. If I was a plumber or in a trade of some sort, it’s what I’d have. They’re even using Sprinters as ambulances where I live.