(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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And he wants to run our country??? Can't even run his campain. Sarah and joe are walking all over him.
Obama/Biden 08!
My personal advice to Joe: 1, pay your Ohio state tax first, 2. get a license to do whatever job you claim, 3. don't lie to people together with McCain's campaign. Then, you might have a shot in Palin's position since she said that you were very welcome in Alaska.
Joe the "plumber" is looking out for his own interest now.....
This is great. You can't make this stuff up.
Joe The Fake plumber probably told him he would be there between 8AM and 4PM.
If i didn't see it with my own eyes I couldn't believe it!
Joe the Not a Plumber Scam!
I think it's time for America to flush Joe the Plumber along with the McCain Plalin ticket!
If Joe is smart enough, he should never show up.
Unfortunately he is "used" big time. Unfair to Joe. Joe please wake up and say No to them
Well, add Joe the Plumber to the list of nobodies now using McCain for personal gain, after being thrused into the spotlight in an effort to win the presidency.
And he says he can lead the country. He can't even control his campaign.
This is one sick joke. Joe the Plumber is just like McSame, trying to cash in on notoriety under false pretenses. This guy is not even a licensed plumber and owes back taxes and he is talking about running for Congress now. Give me BREAK! Well, then call him by his real name, "JOE THE JACKLEG".
Just like a true plumber....always showing up late for an appointment or not at all.
And this is news...how?
So what will it be next, Joe the Rapper?
Just like FAILin, he is using Big Daddy mcKANE as a stepping stone to other things. What a moron!
~Lawrence in Denver
Wow! If McCain can't even coordinate affairs concerning one American, how is he going to run the affairs of all of America? Scary.
Sarah and Joe look more like Nancy and Sluggo!!
When does Joe the Plumber actually do any plumbing?
Who cares?!? "Joe the Plumber" is going to be a character of the past as of November 5th. Your 15 minutes of fame are about to end!
I don't suppose you watched Daily Show last night where JS was joking about McCain relying on J the P .. the joke was McCain keeps relying on all these unvetted people like Palin and JtheP and they GO ROGUE!!
Hilarious.
So is the incorrect spelling of "miscommunication" in the article your error, or are you quoting the word as spelled by Joe?
What a Diva..
Will you, CNN, stop providing "news" about this moron. I have a fat stupid neighbor who is also not a licensed plumber, owes back taxes, and is not named Joe – and he doesn't merit coverage either.
Don't you folks have jobs.......oh yeah this is the Democrats news center... sorry my mistake.
After that crap that he said about Obama and Isreal on Fox I guess McCain is reeling him in...
The no-show unlicensed plumber had to go to school today for his plumbing license,,,,,or possibly pay his back taxes. Possibly he was searching for his real name. More than likely Sarah told him to change his wardrobe. Everyone has to look nice.
You guys need to quit with the funny posts! I'm at work and it is KILLING me not to laugh out loud!