America's most famous plumber's backstory sprung a few leaks Thursday.
Joe the Plumber, an Ohio man, was plucked from obscurity during Wednesday's U.S. presidential debate by John McCain as an example of a typical hard-working, taxpaying American.
But it turns out 'Joe' -- real name Samuel J. Wurzelbacher -- isn't actually a licensed plumber and owes almost $1,200 in back taxes.
The broad, bald man quickly became a media sensation on Thursday and admitted that he didn't have a licence, but said that he didn't need one because he works for someone else at his company.
But The Associated Press is reporting that Wurzelbacher would still need to be a licensed apprentice or journeyman to work in Toledo, Ohio.
It was also uncovered from public records that he owes Ohio $1,182.98 in personal income tax.
Wurzelbacher, a conservative, was used by both candidates several times to score political points in the debate, remained silent about who he planned to vote for.
About two-dozen reporters gathers on his lawn Thursday, asking the divorced father of a teenage boy a myriad number of questions.
Wurzelbacher at first was amused by the national attention but seemed a lot less enthused with it the end of his day.
"I don't have a lot of pull. It's not like I'm Matt Damon," he said "I just hope I'm not making too much of a fool of myself."
During an afternoon taping of "Late Night with David Letterman," McCain apologized to Wurzelbacher for the press attention he had received.
"Joe, if you're watching, I'm sorry," McCain said.
How he became 'Joe the Plumber'
Last week, he had confronted Obama in his Holland, Ohio, neighborhood as the Illinois senator was stumping for votes. The plumber told Obama that he was interested in buying a small business but was concerned that Obama's tax hike on business owners and residents would cut into his future profits.
Obama told him that 95 per cent of voters would get a tax break under his plan, and only the rich (those earning more than $250,000) would see a slight tax increase.
Ending the conversation, Obama said his plan would help everyone by "spreading the wealth around."
Republican John McCain seized those words during Thursday's debate, telling the audience the conversation showed that Obama wants to redistribute wealth in America.
Time after time, McCain returned to the subject, often looking directly into the camera and speaking to "Joe, the plumber." Obama soon followed suit and he, too, began speaking directly to "Joe."
While both candidates tried to make their case during the debate, the plumber remained elusive on Thursday about who will ultimately get his vote. But he has suggested that he's worried about Obama's plans.
"You see my house. I don't have a lot of bells and whistles in here, really. My truck's a couple of years old and I'm going to have it for the next 10 years, probably. So I don't see him (Obama) helping me out," he told the Toledo Blade newspaper after the debate.
He also told CBS News immediately after the debate that Obama didn't answer his questions during last week's confrontation. Obama tap-danced "almost as good as Sammy Davis, Jr.," he said.
Wurzelbacher, who appeared on Fox News shortly after his talk with Obama and was asked to appear at a McCain rally, had a much more positive reaction to McCain's proposals.
"McCain came across with some solid points, and I was real happy about that," he said.
But Wurzelbacher also admitted that he isn't "even close" to earning $250,000, the minimum yearly salary that would see a tax hike under Obama's plan.
He also said his sudden fame hasn't yet translated into better business.
"I hope I have a lot of jobs today. Yesterday, I worked on a water main break for a gas station and that's why I didn't give any interviews. I was muddy and soaking wet," he said.
With files from The Associated Press
