Joe the Plumber Hits Media Coverage, Tells 'E&P' He Hopes Palin Does Not Run in 2012

Published: November 21, 2009 10:20 AM ET

LOGAN, UTAH Forever a part of American electoral history, Joe Wurzelbacher--better known as "Joe the Plumber"--is hitting back at the media for its coverage of him over the past year, telling Editor & Publisher the reporting has been "poorly done."

In a wide-ranging interview with E&P, Wurzelbacher also shared his thoughts on Sarah Palin (he hopes she doesn't run for president in 2012), Palin's references to him in her new book, and the charge that he has capitalized off the publicity that has come with being Joe the Plumber.

Regarding Palin, the former Republican vice presidential candidate now making her rounds across the country on a book tour, Wurzelbacher told E&P he hopes she is not a candidate for president in 2012.

Wurzelbacher said he's been disappointed with the press coverage overall. "Mainstream media really painted me as a fool," he said. "They did their best to discredit me as a tax cheat, a wife beater, a racist.
He was especially critical of the media's reporting on his tax lien of about $1,200. Wurzelbacher also addressed the media's reporting of his lack of an Ohio plumbing license, telling the crowd the coverage was absolutely true.

Wurzelbacher also gave his take on President Obama and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Thursday's event in Utah. While he felt Obama treated him with "respect" during their encounter in October 2008, and John MC Cain was the one who made him (Joe) famous throughout the world.

"Other than that, my whole ire is at Congress," he said. "That's where we need to really focus our attention. Barack Obama's one man.
But, surprisingly, the registered Republican--he never left the party--also had issues with McCain's candidacy. "Do I think McCain was the answer?" he asked. "Absolutely not, especially with the bill he tried to pass with legalizing all the illegal immigrants. He was just pandering to the Hispanic vote, period."