(CNN) - Joe Wurzelbacher, aka Joe the Plumber, has become an integral part of John McCain's presidential bid, but it appears the Arizona senator's campaign and the now-famous Toledo plumber need to work on their communication skills.
McCain aides told CNN's Dana Bash Wurzelbacher would appear with the Republican presidential candidate at his first campaign event in Defiance, Ohio. But in what was a slightly awkward moment for McCain, Wurzelbacher was nowhere to be seen when the Arizona senator called out for him.
Read Dana Bash's first person account of the mix up on AC360 blog
A campaign aide later said Wurzelbacher had "decided not to come" and may join McCain later in the day.
But reached at his home by CNN's Mary Snow, Wurzelbacher said it was "news to him" that he was supposed to be at the McCain rally. Wurzelbacher said nobody from the McCain campaign confirmed he was attending the event and called the incident a "miscommunication."
Wurzelbacher also said he is headed to Philadelphia for a charity event unrelated to the campaign and has no plans to meet up with McCain today.
UPDATE: Contacted by CNN a second time, Wurzelbacher said the campaign only called him to confirm after the event in question already took place. He will now try to meet up with McCain later in the day.
Watch: 'Joe': McCain 'a real American'
Wurzelbacher also said he had gotten an initial call about coming to the morning rally, "but no one called back to confirm," and was "not happy" that McCain had called out his name and he wasn't there.
From CNN Politics
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That is tooooooo funny!
This senior white working female has already voted Obama/Biden.
VOTE EARLY IF YOU CAN, BUT VOTE, WHEN YOU CAN.
I think he was busy doing a $250k toilet snake. Who can blame him?
Joe the Ditcher
Oh Magoo, you've done it again.
That's ok, McCain has a new lineup of Joe's:
Joe The Grand Wizard
Joe The Skinhead
Joe The Racist
Joe The Klansman
Joe The Inbred Cracker Republican
"Joe the plumber" is really wearing thin. Especially when one considers that the guy, an idiot, would do much better under Obama's tax plan then under McSame's. Pitiful bunch of crap.
I am laughing too loud; that is why CNN keeps deleting my posts.
HA! HA! HA!
UNBELIEVABLE. The entire world knew Joe the non-plumber was to campaign with McCain today, and now he is a no-show. Say it ain't so Joe!
HA! HA! HA!
Having an unreliable and unstable guy like Joe the "Plumber" as a mascot for the McCain-Palin campaign is a perfect metaphor for their utter incompetence as would-be leaders. Thanks, Joe, for being – well – you.
palin and joe can run together in 4 years.....
OBAMA/BIDEN 08!!!!!
All this focus on Joe the Plumber's tax breaks but if I made as much as Joe I wouldn't be worried about money....
There are places in America where the problems of drugs, homelessness, and violence are taking people's lives... but sure Joe... your business tax cuts are more impotrant....
Please go vote Obama!!!! Every vote counts!!!!
TYPICAL MC CAIN CAMPAIGN.
FIRST HE PICKS AIRHEAD PALIN, LATCHES ON TO THE FICTICTIOUS PLUMBER ( WHO IS NOT A PLUMBER)
THE MAVERICKS ARE RIDING INTO THE SUNSET- BUT DO NOT LET PALIN GET TOO CLOSE TO ANY HORSES- SHE MAY SHOOT THEM....
Im glad this story is on the Ticker!
now im gonna watch Wolf later to see if he is paying any attention to detail.
But im certainly sure MSNBC talking heads will be talking about it.
I'm not sure who I'm more sick of–"Joe" the fraud or McCain the liar.
It was quite amusing and in concert with how the McCain has been run to see McCain introduce this fraud and he not be there. It was quite funny, actually.
Vote Obama.
Mary Steins, you are right, he is also in the process of writing a book and producing a country album. BTW, how is he getting away from not paying his taxes and he is all over the internet and news...where is the IRS???
Maybe the reason Joe the plummer didn't show up he has to work. the campaign aide said Wurzelbacher had "decided not to come" he mite show up later. Get out and vote America.Go Obama/Biden
what a joke!!
In this economic climate, even a Republican operative is considering the benefits of the Obama economic plan. Now go away, Joe!
i actually feel sorry for john mccain. his party, his supporters, & his vp nominee have all screwed him. that being said...
GOBAMA!
Ah yes, now the real 'Joe the Plumber' is being seen - that would be the same Joe that skipped out on the fines he has in Mesa, AZ and the $1200 in back taxes he owes the IRS.
Does he skip out on plumbing jobs the same way he has skipped out on McCain; and if he does, how does he EVER hope to earn that $250k he asked Obama about?
Joe the Maverick Diva!! hahahaha
The way McCain runs his campaign is an indication as to how he will run the country should he win. Recklessly.
This was for the tax calculator post–closed comments...
Helping my taxes is just icing on the cake for me. I would have voted for Obama anyway. He is an inspiration when many need to be inspired. He is hope for those who have otherwise lost hope. He is what this Country needs–a uniter who cares about all people regardless of their race, religion, net worth, or social standing.
McCain and Palin are the antithesis of this. They would set our Country back further with their attitudes (esp. Palin) of hate and division.
Please go VOTE!!! This Country needs a mandate! It needs to show ITSELF and the rest of the world that we do not accept hate, division, racism, religious intolerance, and general intolerance of anyone with a different lifestyle or belief than ourselves.
Joe actually was going to show, but he gave a window of time between 10am and 4pm.
Joe the Plumber saw the Obama 30 minute program and saw how is on the wrong side and has a change of heart. JTP (joe the plumber) knows that working people move the economy, not making corporations wealthier. JTP must be a chess player and understands what happens to the pawns. Come on over JTP. There is room for you on the winning ticket.