[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/10/art.mccainjoe.gi.jpg caption="Joe 'The Plumber' Wurzelbacher said he was 'appalled' with some of what McCain said."](CNN) - With the dust still settling from the 2008 presidential race, one of its biggest celebrities lashed out Tuesday at the man who made him famous.
Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher, the Ohio voter who challenged President-elect Barack Obama on his tax plan and later became a hero of John McCain's presidential bid, said Tuesday he felt "appalled" at some of his interactions with the Arizona senator, and soon felt the need to ditch his campaign.
Speaking with conservative talk-radio host Glenn Beck, Wurzelbacher said he was specifically at odds with McCain's support over the massive $700 billion bailout, a measure many conservatives opposed despite McCain's attempts to shepherd the bill on Capitol Hill.
“When I was on the bus with him, I asked him a lot of questions about the bailout because most Americans did not want that to happen,” Wurzelbacher told Beck. “I asked him some pretty direct questions,” he continued. “Some of the answers…they appalled me, absolutely. I was angry.
"In fact, I wanted to get off the bus after I talked to him."
Wurzelbacher rocketed to stardom during the third and final presidential debate, when McCain referenced the Ohio plumber's direct challenge of Obama's tax proposals. On an Obama campaign swing shortly before that debate, Wurzelbacher approached the Democratic presidential nominee while cameras rolled and challenged the candidate over his plan to raise taxes on those making over $250,000. Wurzelbacher said that could mean his taxes would go up if he ever achieved his goal of owning a plumbing business.
McCain jumped at the opportunity to use Wurzelbacher as a symbol of all small business owners who could potentially be penalized under Obama's plan, and his name was repeatedly invoked by both the Republican presidential nominee and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
But Wurzelbacher never appeared completely comfortable being used as a tool of the McCain campaign, and notably failed to show up at one campaign rally - prompting the Arizona senator to embarrassingly call out to him to no avail.
Despite his disappointment with McCain though, Wurzelbacher praised Palin as "absolutely the real deal."
This from the guy who loved being in the spotlight with McCain. Anything to get attention again. A lot can be said about someone who doesn't agree with the decisions of the person he supposedly supports. I didn't vote for McCain, but I don't think his "supporters" should be throwing him under the bus...especially when Joe gained so much. Makes me really wonder–what were Joe's ulterior motives?
Who cares? Why hasn't this guy faded away into obscurity yet?
please....for the love of God.....go away!
Sorry, I checked my watch and 15 minutes were up Joe and Sarah!
Will it ever end? seriously
Didn't someone in the RNC pay his back taxes? Maybe he should give the money back. If he was appaulled, he should have been honest and said so.
Joe the Plumber thinks Sarah Palin is "the real deal."
Dumb and dumber.
Maybe we will see a Palin / Wurzelbacher ticket in 2012. The sad part is that they would probably get a lot of votes.
LMAO!!! This the kind of person that will be voting for the soccer-mom that never seems to be home for the kids if she comes back in 2012. The unlicensed plumber, that owes back taxes, & claims to want to buy a business that is barely making it. What a mess!!!!!
Even though this story is HILARIOUS!!!.....Why is he even still being interviewed and/or relevant? Why can't these figments of McCain's over active imagination (Palin & Plumber boy) just disappear? I had enough of their ridiculous 15 minutes of fame 2 minutes after it started.
How much longer do we have to put up with Joe the Plumber?
Seems to me he should have told Mccain he was dissapointed in MCcain before he got the book deal
Palin the real deal?
Joe please stick with plumbing.
Why won't he just GO AWAY already!!!!?
GO JOE!!!!
Joe not participate in the US tax system
Joe had his 5 mins of fame
Perfect for Republican Vice Presidential Candidate with Sarah Palin
SARAH/JOE 2012
NOT!!!!!
It is a circus why are you reporting anything about this bum!!!
your fifteen minutes are up, "Joe". Get a job.
Joe, Please be advised that your fifteen minutes of fame has ended.
Nobody told this guy that it is wrong throw mud at people (evn whn others are)? That you are likely to miss your target but you'll certainly stink!
I am ignoring this ticker!
Why are we even caring about this man? He's had his more than 15 minutes of fame. Time to be a "real American" and get back to plumbing.
You get what you seek!!!
I can't believe anyone would seek out "Joe the plumber" as a legitimate, valid or even interesting person to interview. He is nothing but a joke. But then again, it's Glenn Beck. Would we expect anymore from him? I don't consider him to be a believable journalist (and I use this term lightly).
*News Flash*...We Don't Care Joe!
Where was his disgust during the campaign?? I will bet you $100 that Palin picks "Joe" as her VP candidate in 2012!
God help us all!
who really cares what this moron thinks anyway?
Moron
NEWS FLASH:
Fake Plumber calls Fake Governor "the real deal".