More on Joe The Plumber, From Joe Himself

Joe Wurzelbacher - aka "Joe the Plumber" – talked to reporters at length today in front of his house near Toledo, Ohio.

Click here to read all of what he said.

The plumber-turned-political celebrity said he's a little taken aback at his new star power, and at being mentioned 26 times during last night's presidential debate.

"I'm a flash in the pan, I'm not a megastar. I'm no Matt Damon – I'm not any of those guys who, you know, have droves of women and men who want to be them and so on and so forth who say, 'Oh, I'll vote for him because Matt Damon said it.' I love his movies but I don't have that" star power, Wurzelbacher told reporters this morning.

"Right now I'm just completely flabbergasted by this whole thing ... I just hope I'm not making too much of a fool of myself and I can get some kind of message out there as far as, really, watch actions, and learn for yourself. Don't take other peoples' opinions.

Here's a portion of his interview this morning, where he rails against Social Security.


Of course the media is having a field day with Joe, even digging into his tax history (he hasn't paid some in the past).

Wurzelbacher also told reporters today said his 13-year-old son is excited about his dad's recent odd celebrity status. Asked whether he has considered a move into local politics, he said: "It sounds cool but I really don't know what it entails."

Wurzelbacher said he doesn't want his son to have to help repay $10 trillion to the government for bailing out Wall Street, and he thinks Social Security is a joke.

"I don't need another set of parents called the government. Let me take my money and invest it as I please," he said.

And Wurzelbacher said he is unabashedly proud of his country – and everyone else should be, too.

"I want him [son] to live in a country he's proud of. I'm tired of people downing America ... we are the greatest country in the world. Stop apologizing for it, I mean really ... I'm not sorry for being an American, I'm not sorry for having the things I have, I've worked for them."


There's 'Joe the Plumber' spoofs all over YouTube. Here's one guy singing "Joe the Plumber Blues."



And here's a very, very scary Karaoke Steve the Plumber, taking on Joe the Plumber: