News
News Home
The Regina Brett Show
Quick Bites
Exploradio
News Archive
News Channel
Special Features
NPR
nowplaying
On AirNewsClassical
Loading...
  
Weather
From WKYC.COM / TV 3
School Closings
WKSU Support
Funding for WKSU is made possible in part through support from the following businesses and organizations.

Hennes Paynter Communications

The Holden Arboretum

Akron Children's Hospital


For more information on how your company or organization can support WKSU, download the WKSU Media Kit.

(WKSU Media Kit PDF icon )


Donate Your Vehicle to WKSU

Programs Schedule Make A Pledge Member BenefitsFAQ/HelpContact Us
Politics




Joe the Plumber is a no show
Rep. Marcy Kaptur is stood up for City Club debate by opponent Sam "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher
Story by BRIAN BULL
This story is part of a special series.


 
In The Region:
It was oddly reminiscent of Clint Eastwood’s skit at the Republican National Convention. Only this time, it was US Representative Marcy Kaptur, standing next to an empty chair at the City Club in Cleveland. WCPN’s Brian Bull explains.
Joe the Plumber is a no show

Other options:
Windows Media / MP3 Download (1:41)


The event was originally billed as a debate between the candidates running for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, namely Democratic incumbent Kaptur and Republican challenger Sam Wurzelbacher.

But minus a debate opponent, Kaptur instead gave a 15-minute speech.  She talked to the crowd about the need to support education, revitalize Lake Erie and its ports, revisit tax and trade policies to benefit Ohio manufacturing, and other topics.  

Afterwards, she called Wurzelbacher’s absence “unfortunate”. 

“I think that the public should have an opportunity to hear him, explain why he would want to seek a seat in the Congress of the United States.  We could have a very open discussion of the issues, that’s what liberty is all about.  That’s what running for public office is all about.  He’s made some statements in the press that he doesn’t like it.  Well, my question is, why would he want to run for something that he doesn’t like?”

Speaking by phone the day before, Wurzelbacher said he never RSVP'd for the City Club Debate.  He said while the event didn’t work with his schedule, he’ll square off against Kaptur later this month at some Toledo events.  When asked if he had anything to say to Kaptur, he responded, “Right now I’ve no…I’m not your constant politician that can sit there and whip up a two-minute bullshit speech, so, ah…heh…I don’t mean that meanly, I just don’t have anything to say to her right now.”

Wurzelbacher gained fame in 2008, when he pressed then-candidate Barack Obama on his tax policies for small businesses.  Republican candidate John McCain dubbed Wurzelbacher “Joe the Plumber," and referred to him constantly during his campaign.
Add Your Comment
Name:

Location:

E-mail: (not published, only used to contact you about your comment)


Comments:




 
Page Options

Print this page

E-Mail this page / Send mp3

Share on Facebook




Stories with Recent Comments

Husted's voter-address plan is under scrutiny
=========== The new directive allows voters to make the updates online for the first time. =========== Ahem!!! You might want to do some fact checking before ...

Leveling the field between private and public school sports
Consideration should be given to establishing a limit on athletic scholarships to private schools (which may be disguised as financial aid to poor students). I...

Thirteen Cleveland firefighters indicted
What was stolen? Section 7(p)(3) of the FLSA provides that two individuals employed in the same capacity by the same public agency may agree, solely at their ...

Union refuses to back gay teacher fired by Catholic school
Catholic schools can be very vindictive regarding the lifestyles of their teachers. Insurance does not pay for birth control, non-Catholic teachers are replace...

Drilling for wind on Lake Erie
May God help us defeat the WIND MONSTER ...

Raise a glass to craft beer week
Vivian, What a great interview - Just done so professionally. I loved the way you smoothly transitioned from production to interview to history of the company...

Castro could face death penalty as abduction case goes to a grand jury
I thought kidnapping was automatically a federal charge. Is it not?

Funk Hall of Fame in Dayton?
My quesiton how much of this groups own money are they investing? What resources has the City of Dayton's Mayor Leitzell (who just lost the run off elections) ...

Ohio has an election Tuesday; who knew?
WHY isn't there any information in this article about what the issues are for???????? Oh, I guess so only those who know about it will vote and everything will...

Copyright © 2013 WKSU Public Radio, All Rights Reserved.

 
In Partnership With:

NPR PRI Kent State University

listen in windows media format listen in realplayer format Car Talk Hosts: Tom & Ray Magliozzi Fresh Air Host: Terry Gross A Service of Kent State University 89.7 WKSU | NPR.Classical.Other smart stuff. NPR Senior Correspondent: Noah Adams Living on Earth Host: Steve Curwood 89.7 WKSU | NPR.Classical.Other smart stuff. A Service of Kent State University