Q & A: 'Joe the Plumber'
The man who became a metaphor for the average American in the 2008 election tells CT about his Christian faith and the future of the Republican Party.
Interview by Sarah Pulliam | posted 5/04/2009 10:05AM
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Do you see any Christians becoming stronger voices in politics?
When politicians start talking about being a Christian, I just worry, because a lot of them don't really follow through. I like to see real action in that area. I heard some stories about George Bush, and how he wrote an original letter to each and every soldier that died. And his prayer life was listed to be pretty intense. That kind of thing, it's awesome. I would love it to be true. I would love to hear our leaders actually check with God before he does stuff.
Some people have criticized the Republican Party as being the party of the rich. How can they change their image?
I don't know if they can change their image. I really don't. But, you also have to take into consideration that the Democrats say they are for people in poverty. They're not. They take advantage of all the tax breaks that the IRS has put in place for them. Tax lobbying is a billion-dollar industry up in Washington. Get rid of the tax code we have. Implement a fair tax—make it a level playing ground. People in poverty keep them in power—that's what people have to understand.
How did you react to such public attention after John McCain talked about you in the presidential debate?
The second day, when everything out came out about my taxes, you know, I got really scared, really down. All these people were saying just god-awful things about me. I mean, I'm not one to blow smoke up my skirt, but I think I'm a pretty nice guy and I'm not used to people saying that kind of thing about me. It really hurt. But then I went to bed that night and talked to God for a good, long time. The next morning, I woke up feeling like Superman and I didn't care about what things people said anymore from that day on. They're going to say what they're going to say. They want to tear people down to make themselves feel better. They have their own agendas, and God said, "Well, you know, listen—I set you on a path, and go to it. See what you can do."
Who are you people you look to for advice?
Ken Holder from fairtax.org, who is working hard to spread the fair tax. There are people out there that I respect, but my hero is my dad, and he's the Christian that I aspire to be. He's reading his book, he's praying. He's doing the things he's supposed to be doing as a Christian. I fall short.
How so? What do you mean when you say you fall short?
I don't read my Bible as much as I should. My walk with God seems to get interrupted sometimes. And as much as I fight against that, the world invades in my life, and it will keep me off track for a little while. And then I have to remember, Okay, this is what I believe in, I've got to get back to it. My dad has always been a rock when it comes to Christianity. As far as my faith goes, it's what got me through my life.
Do you have plans to run for public office?
Not right now. God hasn't said, "Joe, I want you to run." I feel more important to just encourage people to get involved, one way or another. If I can inspire some leaders, that would be great. I don't know if I want to be a leader.
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Related Elsewhere:
Christianity Today follows other political developments on the politics blog. CT's Ted Olsen has posted a response on "Does Christianity Today Agree with Joe the Plumber?"
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