‘Joe the Plumber’ Puts Down the Plunger, Heads to Israel
“Joe the Plumber” won’t be unclogging any toilets, at least not while war is raging in Gaza. Samuel J. Wurzelbacher — the Ohio plumber and would-be country music star who became a fixture of John McCain’s presidential campaign — is heading to Israel for 10 days as a war reporter for the conservative Web site Pajamas TV. There will be no pretense of objectivity. CNN reports:
“The famous plumber will be focusing on the Israeli perspective on the situation. ‘It’s tragic, I mean it really is,’ Wurzelbacher told CNN affiliate WNWO ‘I don’t say that in any little way. It’s very tragic, but at the same time what are the Israeli people supposed to do.’
Wurzelbacher told WNWO he’s not worried about the potential dangers of his new gig. ‘Being a Christian I’m pretty well protected by God I believe. That’s not saying he’s going to stop a mortar for me, but you gotta take the chance,’ he told the CNN affiliate.”
One of the last times Wurzelbacher spoke publicly about the Jewish State — specifically in regard to Barack Obama’s positions on it — he was taken to task by Fox News’s Shepard Smith.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
