GREAT MINI-EXPOSE of JTP at NY Times. Wonderful development for 2 reasons: 1) NY Times widely syndicated and 2) NY Times read by media 'elite'.
Thomas Joseph, the business manager of Local 50 of the United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics, based in Toledo, said Thursday that Mr. Wurzelbacher had never held a plumber’s license, which is required in Toledo and several surrounding municipalities. He also never completed an apprenticeship and does not belong to the plumber’s union, which has endorsed Mr. Obama. On Thursday, he acknowledged that he does plumbing work even though he does not have a license.
And that business he plans to buy, which he claims earns $250,000 in profit (that would be after payroll -- even if a partnership)...
Mr. Wurzelbacher told reporters that the company he works for, Newell Plumbing & Heating, has two full-time employees: himself and the owner, Al Newell.
Neither Mr. Newell nor Mr. Wurzelbacher responded to telephone calls. And Mr. Wurzelbacher has provided only vague information on his and the company’s finances since talking to Mr. Obama. But if the plumbing business remained a two-person company and the net proceeds — after deductions for business expenses — were shared by the two men, both incomes would most likely fall well below the top tax brackets on which Mr. Obama wants to raise rates, as would the company itself.
True, much of this was first exposed by the blogs, and the NY Times is now just a link in the chain. But it's still a powerful link, capable of wide dissemination.
And of course, the next logical question is: if he's not licensed, how can he buy that business?
And the irrefutable answer: he can't.
Game. Set. Match.
ps. If this is a repeat I'll delete tomorrow. But as for now, I'm off to bed.