Joe Biden's Political Aphasia Finally Presents Itself
A Palestinian Unwrapped a US Aid Package. It Didn't Go Well.
Netanyahu to Biden: I'm Taking Rafah, Destroying Hamas, And You Can’t Do Anything...
Nation’s Largest Corporate Mega-Stores Lobbying for Billions, Small Businesses & Consumers...
A Truth and Reality ‘Bloodbath’
CAIR Says Biden Will Lose, 'Allah Willing'
Israel As 'A Pariah' Among the Nations
Trump Romps Among Battleground Catholics
Biden's Speech Was Not the Win the Political Class Thought It Was
The Smell of Mendacity
'Bloodbath' and Pure Evil
Pathway to Victory
The Cautionary Legal Tale of Roundup
FDNY Won't Investigate Those Who Booed Letitia James, But Don't Expect Love for...
Joe Biden Is Back to Pretending His Granddaughter Doesn't Exist
OPINION

De Pasquale’s Dozen with Joe the Plumber

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

During the 2008 election, then-Senator Barack Obama made a campaign stop in Ohio. While shaking hands and talking to residents, one man stepped forward and asked him about his tax policy for small businesses. Sen. Obama’s response included the telling phrase "when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody."

Advertisement

Not only did the question remind Americans of the Left’s philosophy and goals, but it shed light on what Democrats and the media would do to private citizens who disagree with their mission to elect Obama. Joe “the Plumber” Wurzelbacher was among the first to feel the wrath of the campaign and Obama-friendly media. They dug into his background, work history and personal life. The director of Ohio's Department of Job and Family Services ordered one of her employees to use state computers to research Wurzelbacher. Additionally, a former contractor for the Association of the Ohio Chiefs of Police was also found to be looking up confidential information on Wurzelbacher. A law barring this invasion of privacy using state resources was later passed and signed by the Ohio governor.

As the 2012 election heats up, the Obama campaign is using the same playbook against supporters of Mitt Romney. The Obama campaign posted the names of eight Romney donors, including business owners Frank VanderSloot and Thomas O’Malley, and said they had "less-than-reputable records.” As with Wurzelbacher, the Obama campaign’s intent is not just to win an election, but punish conservatives and their livelihood. In an interview on the “The O’Reilly Factor,” VanderSloot said that he’s lost hundreds of customers because of false accusations perpetuated by the Obama campaign.

Advertisement

Thankfully, similar tactics used against Wurzelbacher have not silenced him. The Left regularly underestimates how their strong-arm tactics only increase the commitment of conservative activists. In October 2011, Wurzelbacher announced his campaign for Ohio’s 9th congressional seat. He won the Republican primary in March and now faces Rep. Marcy Kaptur in the general election. Kaptur has been in Congress for nearly 30 years and was once named “Most Valuable Member” by the left-wing magazine, The Nation. Anyone this entrenched in D.C. will be hard to remove, but if anyone is up to the job it’s Joe the Plumber.

Each week the De Pasquale's Dozen asks political figures and free market-minded writers and entertainers to take a break from politics and talk about their pop culture obsessions.

1. If there were a television channel that only showed one movie over and over, what movie should it be?

Remember the Titans or Old Yeller

2. What’s one of your favorite movie quotes?

“Frankly Scarlett, I don't give a Damn!”

3. In A Clockwork Orange, Malcolm McDowell is strapped in with his eyes propped open and forced to watch images until he was "cured." If you could give President Obama, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Leader Harry Reid the "Clockwork Orange treatment," what movie would you make them watch?

Advertisement
I’ve heard that movie is repulsive....

4. Who would be on the perfect "Red Eye" panel?

I've never watched it.

5. What's your current “guilty pleasure” television show?

"NCIS"

6. What pop culture souvenir do you own that people would be surprised to learn that you cherish?

I have never been "in to” pop culture. My music collection would come closest to answering the question. I enjoy a wide variety of music.

7. What was the first rock concert you ever attended and where did you sit and who went with you?

The Great White, I went with a couple friends from the Air Force when I was stationed in Alaska. After the show we were invited to hang out with the band at one of the bars in Fairbanks.

8. What books are on your summer reading list?

Beside the Bible, I love most anything written by Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, Ted Bell, Harlan Coben, Michael Connelly, John Eldredge, and some Sci-Fi.

9. What was the best gift you ever got as a child?
My dad coming into my life.

10. What important advice do you remember your mother or father giving you? Did you take it?

That life is not fair and if you want anything in life you have to work hard. I try to follow this advice every day.
Advertisement

11. If Democrats and Republicans had theme songs for 2012 what would they be?

“Call Me Irresponsible” by Frank Sinatra.

12. Tell me about the moment you decided to enter the political arena.

Making the decision to run for Congress took my breath away. To say it out loud and share it with other people really makes the reality set in. The moment I made the decision I felt a great weight of responsibility settle squarely on my shoulders. I will be representing my fellow Americans, I better damn well do a good job!

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos