Joe the Plumber at CPAC:Does Obama Mean Death to Israel?

I had a chance to briefly interview Joe Wurzelbacher, aka Joe the Plumber, here yesterday, and that's one of the questions I asked him. Before I get to that interview, however, I want to make one thing absolutely clear: Joe the Plumber is a genuinely nice, sweet guy. I say this, not just out of some sense of fairness, or a desire for balance, but because he is remarkably nice.

Here's an example. I shot a little bit of video before our interview, first of Joe signing books on the convention floor, and then in the interview room. One of the hotel staff told Joe how much her husband loves him, and he just gave her a copy of his book that he'd been carrying with him. Here's that clip:



As you'll see in this interview, toward the end, a staffer tries to cut off the interview, and Joe insists on finishing. These things are undeniably to his credit. Here's the full interview:



This is the problem with Joe the Plumber. As nice a guy as he is, he's just dangerously misinformed. I say dangerous because he has tremendous appeal for many average Americans. He's obviously sincere in his beliefs, as well, but beliefs are not information.

While President Obama intends to use direct diplomacy with Iran, something the Israelis kind of support, he has made it abundantly clear that a nuclear Iran can't, and won't, happen.

I was genuinely surprised to learn that Joe opposes civil unions, as his overall message is one of fairness.

Despite his relatively low profile in the media of late, Joe continues to be a hero to many, as evidenced by the throngs that line up at his book signings, and ask for pictures with him wherever he goes here. Love him or hate him, it would be a mistake to simply dismiss Joe the Plumber.

Tommy on: BlogTalkRadio I Digg! I Facebook I Twitter
Order The Audacity of Democracy Starring Tommy Christopher