'Joe the Plumber' becomes center of debate

HOLLAND, Ohio -- It turns out "Joe the Plumber," the unexpected focus of Wednesday night's presidential debate, has a different first name and no plumber's license, owes back taxes to the state of Ohio and would likely get a tax cut under Democrat Barack Obama's plan.

As details emerged Thursday about the man Republican John McCain said would pay higher taxes under Obama's plan, Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, 34, retreated inside his house after being besieged by interview requests.

Wurzelbacher lives in a small, beige ranch house in a tree-lined, working-class neighborhood outside Toledo. His street was crowded Thursday with 30 journalists from as far away as Italy and four satellite TV trucks.

Wurzelbacher conducted a round of TV interviews on morning news shows and with reporters in his driveway before he went into his house, saying he was through talking.

More details about Wurzelbacher emerged throughout the day Thursday. Ohio records show he has a lien on his home from January 2007 for failing to pay $1,182.98 in state income taxes. The lien has not been settled.

He also had to settle a lien for $1,261.37 that was placed in July 2007 by a local hospital for outstanding bills. It was lifted last October after the debt was satisfied.

Wurzelbacher said Thursday that he isn't a licensed plumber but works with a plumber.

The experience left him dazed, he said. "I'm kind of like Britney Spears having a headache. Everybody wants to know about it."

"Somebody like Britney Spears would be able to handle this because she asked for it. Joe the Plumber didn't ask for it," said Lucas County Republican chairman Jon Stainbrook, acting as a spokesman for Wurzelbacher.

Wurzelbacher was thrust into the spotlight after Obama knocked on some doors in his neighborhood during a campaign stop Sunday. Wurzelbacher chatted with Obama about the candidate's plan to raise federal taxes on couples earning more than $250,000. He said he objected to it. Obama replied, "I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."