(CNN) - Samuel Wurzelbacher, also known as "Joe the Plumber," kicked off his congressional campaign Tuesday night, hoping to win over an Ohio House seat for the GOP.
"Our current system is all about control. It needs to be fixed," Wurzelbacher said. "They keep on putting duct tape on it. I'm not the kind of plumber that uses duct tape."
Wurzelbacher gained GOP rock-star status in 2008 after challenging then-presidential candidate and Sen. Barack Obama on his small-business tax plan.
His confrontation quickly became a popular anecdote in the presidential election, frequently used as a campaign message by the Republican Sen. John McCain and running-mate Sarah Palin.
The plumber-turned-celebrity has since capitalized on his fame by writing a book and making multiple media and campaign appearances.
While he turned down a chance to run for office in 2010, he's now challenging Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving Democratic woman in the House, to represent Ohio's 9th congressional district.
Making his announcement at Tony Packo's, a Hungarian restaurant in Toledo, the candidate said he's confident of a win, as said he knows how to "keep it simple."
"I don't have to remember what I said five years ago because I believe it. That's what it comes down to," he said. "They're not going to catch me in a lie. I'm not concerned about that at all. You've got to keep it simple and that's what it comes down to running for Congress."
– CNN's Gabriella Schwarz contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
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So he claims he's not part of the wealthy elite, he's a "simple man". What he won't cop to is that his campaign will be funded by the right-wing wealthy elite. You can't win anything without a lot of money behind you.
Lord help us all.
I'm sure that, being a simpleton, he'll keep it simple.
"I'm not the kind of plumber that uses duct tape.."
Well Joe, America doesn't need a plumber in Congress. We don't want pipe dreams.
This is good news for Democrats. Joe the fake plumber would help Democrats in 2012, just like Christine O'Donnell the former witch helped Democrats in 2010.
Sam, your 15 minutes of fame were over long ago. Now you're just annoying. Also, America needs EFFECTIVE and SMART leadership, not plumbers that have demonstrated their ignorance repeatedly.
"I'm not the kind of plumber that uses duct tape." You are not a plumber at all ya schmuck...
oh well, let him try out his luck and see how far he makes it......i guess once you get all the camera pointed towards you its hard when they are gone....reminds me of balloon boy saga.
"I'm not the kind of plumber that uses duct tape." Yeah, you've got that right, in that you're not a plumber at all.
"They're not going to catch me in a lie", he proclaims. Really Samuel (not really Joe) the non-plumber (not a licensed plumber)? His whole meager existence is based upon a lie. I guess that's why he's in the "not intended to be factual" party.
He was never a real plumber just an opportunist. More of John McCain's roadkill that all of us have to suffer.
The Sarah Palin effect: You receive a glancing blow from the spotlight and suddenly you actually start believing you are destined for greatness. NEXT!
Samuel would fix in very well as a politician, considering he lied about owning a business where he was only a worker. Yes, the GOP is waiting for you.
The guy became famous because he LIED! He is NOT a licensec plumber, he never had the $ to buy his boss's biz and he NEVER paid the taxes he complained about. Only the GOP would make a hero out of such a Loser Liar!! Just like Palin he is capitalizing on his his false persona to get those dollars from idiiotic GOPers who fall for anything.
So does Joe believe he is a plumber? Because back in 2007-08, he stated he was, but alas, there was no license. Of course, he backpedeled and stated he was no longer employed at his plumbing firm. But again, no plumbing license.
And what of his tax lien for back Ohio state taxes. Did Joe take care of that?
you've got to be kidding me.
Hey, look, the a55wipe whose name isn't Joe and who isn't a plumber wants to be a congresscritter.
He is the perfect GOP candidate: He misrepresented his professional qualifications 3 years ago when he wasn't fully licensed to do his own job. The GOP is largely devoid of ideas–they have fallen to a propoganda based party that seeks to win elections but would need someone to write their bills for them due to ignorance–much like they do in Michigan's legislature.
The GOP/TP don't set the bar too high for members of Congress, so I have no doubt Wurzelbacher could probably be elected. In the last election the GOP/TP elected a reported "dead beat dad" from Illinois (Joe Walsh).
I'm all for "average" working people running for Congress, however I do believe they should at least have an IQ greater than room temperature to qualify, and be current in their child support payments.
I feel sure Wurzelbacher will receive "quality" political advice from the ex-Governor of Alaska. It's very likely Palin's first advice to Wurzelbacher would be to decline an interview with Katie Couric since she might ask some intelligent questions.
Someone is looking for an extension of his 15 minutes. If this joker gets elected, along with the rest of the crazy crop of teapartiers, I gues we can look forward to another ineffective congress.
Republicans only care bout the fame and money how can you vote for them
Say it ain't so, Joe!
That's the problem "Sam" – our country's problems (and the world's for that matter) are not simple; there are no simple, catch-phrase ways of fixing things. What ideas could you possibly have to bring to the table?
Didn't they already catch Joe the Plumber in any number of lies back in 2008, or am I just remembering?
This slug really helped McCain/Palin,didn't he? Wingnuts never learn.