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You are here: Home / Politics / Domestic Politics / Definitely smarter than Joe the Plumber

Definitely smarter than Joe the Plumber

by Kay|  November 10, 20117:13 pm| 60 Comments

This post is in: Domestic Politics, Election 2012

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Bowling Green State University professor and Lutheran pastor Dr. Angela Zimmann is expected to announce that she will campaign for U.S. Congressman Bob Latta’s 5th District seat. Dr. Zimmann is one of the instructors in BGSU’s General Studies Writing Program. Coincidentally she attended the same high school with Sam Wurzelbacher (Joe the Plumber), who plans to run against Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur for her District 9 seat in Washington, D.C.

I met Angela Zimmann the other night at a local political event. She’s a very good speaker and an extremely energetic person. I don’t think it’s her fault she went to high school with Joe the Fake Plumber.

This is her bio:

A fourth generation resident of Springfield Township and a 1990 graduate of Springfield High School, I am, first and foremost, a mother, wife and daughter. Beyond that, I hold a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Toledo, a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, PA, and a Ph.D. in English ~ Rhetoric and Writing ~ from BGSU.

One of her favorite books is Nickel and Dimed in America, so that sounds promising.

Her opponent will be incumbent Bob Latta. He ran as a moderate in a bad year for Republicans, but he is actually a lockstep far-Right winger.

I called Latta’s office during the union-busting campaign in Ohio, because I wanted him to admit he supported Kasich’s law. I would then of course immediately tell everyone I knew or ran into that he said that. His staffer was very dodgy and kept insisting it was a “state issue”. It was a state issue, but Democrats like Marcy Kaptur and Sherrod Brown had come out against the law, so I thought Latta should have to pick a side too. I’m tired of conservatives weaseling out of every damn thing.

I got a letter from him yesterday, prompted by my questions to his staffer. In the letter he explained the difference between state and federal government to me, so now he’s both dodging and patronizing. Jackass.
I’m glad he has a credible opponent. Hopefully he’ll lose the seat he inherited from his dad.

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Reader Interactions

60Comments

  1. 1.

    cleek

    November 10, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    must resist.

  2. 2.

    Miss Mouse

    November 10, 2011 at 7:20 pm

    That is the strangest picture… it looks like she really doesn’t want to be kissed, and like his thumb is on her breast. Is that photoshopped or just a really awkward picture angle?

  3. 3.

    Villago Delenda Est

    November 10, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    “Jackass” is too kind a term for Latta.

    I leave it to the imaginations of the BJ commentariat what would be more appropriate.

  4. 4.

    gbear

    November 10, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    I hold a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Toledo, a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, PA, and a Ph.D. in English ~ Rhetoric and Writing ~ from BGSU.

    Doen’t this show that the candidate has a rather incredible lack of direction?

  5. 5.

    kay

    November 10, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    @Miss Mouse:

    I think she’s looking towards someone else.

  6. 6.

    Ken

    November 10, 2011 at 7:23 pm

    Sam Wurzelbacher (Joe the Plumber)

    So, did he have that changed legally, or is it just a name for his political character – the way Terry Bollea goes by “Hulk Hogan” when he’s wrestling?

  7. 7.

    kay

    November 10, 2011 at 7:25 pm

    @gbear:

    Do you think so? We’re never going to talk about my past, in that case:)

    Not that we were ever going to do that anyway, barring a deposition.

    She’s really charismatic, in person. The locals just loved her.

  8. 8.

    Miss Mouse

    November 10, 2011 at 7:27 pm

    @kay: I think so too, but her neck is at such a strong angle you’d think he would delay the cheek-kiss attempt until she turned back.

    I’m not really that concerned about it, it just made me do a double take at first.

  9. 9.

    Chuck Butcher

    November 10, 2011 at 7:28 pm

    Getting a BS in EGR and a PhD in Rhetoric and Writing sure demonstrates a flexible high powered intellect… I don’t know if there are any engineers here, but that is about as tough as bachelor’s degree gets.

  10. 10.

    SRW1

    November 10, 2011 at 7:29 pm

    @cleek:

    Can’t.

    Isn’t this pictorial evidence of her being harrassed by the usurper in the White House?

  11. 11.

    kay

    November 10, 2011 at 7:30 pm

    @Miss Mouse:

    No, you’re right. I agree. I’ve already seen it cropped, so it’s just giant faces. It looks less awkward like that. I think Obama is probably a little overwhelming in person. Not “him”, but the whole President thing.

  12. 12.

    AA+ Bonds

    November 10, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    You’ve discovered a point of weakness and an attack that he doesn’t have a TV-friendly response for – hammer that and hes fuckin toast, make him talk about “not taking sides” every time he appears in public because no politician can keep that up

  13. 13.

    kay

    November 10, 2011 at 7:32 pm

    @SRW1:

    Why are you guys insisting his hand is on her breast? Look at it. I think your depth perception is impaired by something :)

  14. 14.

    Cervantes

    November 10, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    She has the very same AP photo on her own (professional) web-site at BGSU — so I doubt there was anything sinister about the moment.

  15. 15.

    Comrade Mary

    November 10, 2011 at 7:37 pm

    Apropos of nothing, I tried out modern 3D tv for the first time today while I was browsing for rabbit ears in my local electronics store.

    Reaction #1: Big fuckin’ deal.

    Reaction #2: GET OUT OF MY PERSONAL SPACE, LITTLE FISHIES!

    So I doubt his thumb is actually on her breast.

  16. 16.

    Mnemosyne

    November 10, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    Lord knows I wouldn’t want to be tarred with the same brush as some of the assholes that I went to high school with. And vice versa, I’m sure. ;-)

  17. 17.

    kay

    November 10, 2011 at 7:40 pm

    @Cervantes:

    Thanks. I would hate to ruin her entire political career :)

    It looked fine to me, but what do I know. It looks like that thing politicians do, where they grab one hand and put their hand on the opposite arm. They all do it. I think they teach it at campaign school.

  18. 18.

    Miss Mouse

    November 10, 2011 at 7:40 pm

    @kay: Just his thumb sort of grazing her breast.

    This is obviously photographic evidence that ‘both sides do it!’ when it comes to harassing women. Herman Cain just made this the centerpiece of his campaign: “9-9-9 is simple. And Obama fondles women just like I do. Vote Cain!”

    P.S: I don’t actually think there’s anything sinister going on here. Just a funny picture.

  19. 19.

    Jay in Oregon

    November 10, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    I don’t think it’s her fault she went to high school with fake Joe the Fake Plumber.

    Edited for clarity.

    @Ken:
    There’s a Daily Show Moment of Zen where Sam Wurzelbacher expresses dismay at why people can’t seem to get his name right. (Of course, he had no problem with it when he was famewhoring in 2008…)

    http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-october-27-2011/moment-of-zen—-joe-the-plumber–isn-t-his-name

  20. 20.

    kay

    November 10, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    @Miss Mouse:

    This is obviously photographic evidence that ‘both sides do it!’ when it comes to harassing women.

    Hah! See, I’m dangerous because I no longer give a shit. If Obama doesn’t harass women, they’ll say he does anyway. They’ve probably already said it, one week I was out sick (of politics) or something.

  21. 21.

    Calouste

    November 10, 2011 at 7:45 pm

    I am, first and foremost, a mother, wife and daughter.

    Is this supposed to be a left-wing candidate?

    I’d rather see someone who defines herself on her own merits rather than in relation to others.

  22. 22.

    Spaghetti Lee

    November 10, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    @Calouste:

    I think it’s supposed to be a candidate that might win in an R+9 district in rural Ohio.

  23. 23.

    kay

    November 10, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    @Calouste:

    She would be the first Democrat in that district since 1962 or something, so I don’t know that we should swear her in just yet. I honestly don’t know if she’s Left wing. I spoke to her only briefly.

  24. 24.

    gbear

    November 10, 2011 at 7:53 pm

    @kay: just joking. sounds like she has an amazing background.

  25. 25.

    Steve

    November 10, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    A Lutheran pastor, too! She and Michele Bachmann will have so much to talk about. (I assume she is actually ELCA.)

  26. 26.

    Cervantes

    November 10, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    @Calouste: Oh, give the woman a break. I’m lots of things, too, but in my mind I am first and foremost a dad. If that would prevent you from voting for me (were I to ask for your vote), then, well, so be it.

  27. 27.

    TrishB

    November 10, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    @Chuck Butcher: So my nephew may not be screwed right out the gate as a double major in Physics and Philosophy with a minor in German? Who knew.

  28. 28.

    SRW1

    November 10, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    @kay:

    Either my snark organ or your snark meter must be out of whack. Being the gentleman that I am, there is of course no question that it is the former.

  29. 29.

    kay

    November 10, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    @gbear:

    I know, gbear. They like to run a Democrat in every district, and I think it’s great she’s willing to try. It will be difficult to unseat Mr. Latta, but Sherrod Brown and Obama will be on the ticket, so she might have a shot. She’s quite talented with people. The “local ladies” were very impressed, and the average age at this dinner I was at was maybe 75. They get special attention because they vote.

  30. 30.

    Steve

    November 10, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    My assumption was correct. Here is a picture of Pastor Zimmann gettin’ all evangelical.

  31. 31.

    cat48

    November 10, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    Hi Kay! OT Congratulations to you & Ohio on Tues. Nite Poll results! Ohio is fired up & ready to go this year. The OH & AZ results made me really happy. This is late but I’ve been off the blogs this week. Just tired of everyone telling me the Dems will lose in 2012 so needed a rest.

  32. 32.

    Yutsano

    November 10, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    Smarter than Joe the Plumber is kind of a low bar there Kay. :)

  33. 33.

    Chuck Butcher

    November 10, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    @TrishB:
    Since I’m not in HR I’ll be damned if I know, but he strikes me as someone difficult to beat in an argument.

  34. 34.

    gelfling545

    November 10, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    @Steve: She’d have to be ELCA. The others don’t approve of women.

  35. 35.

    Interrobang

    November 10, 2011 at 8:22 pm

    @Cervantes: Yeah, it’s not like there’s a systemic pattern of public-persona women having to define themselves first and foremost by their relationships to (usually) men and children, whereas the converse is not true of men…

  36. 36.

    Chuck Butcher

    November 10, 2011 at 8:24 pm

    Jeeze I almost feel like a disclaimer is required, I went to Shawnee HS, Clark Co, Springfield, Ohio…

    I don’t know where Springfield HS is, in Springfield it was North, South, and Catholic Central and then the County Schools.

  37. 37.

    Steve

    November 10, 2011 at 8:26 pm

    @gelfling545: Oh, you’re right of course. I hope God doesn’t strike her down, we need to compete in every district.

  38. 38.

    kay

    November 10, 2011 at 8:38 pm

    Hi cat48

    I think a person has to take a break or go nuts, so good for you.

    I’m carefully ignorimg the GOP primary, for example. That’s the plan!

    I don’t want to listen to them :)

  39. 39.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    November 10, 2011 at 8:40 pm

    @Yutsano: True, that. I’ve got plants smarter than Joe the Plumber. And sadly, one not quite as bright – but still young, so there’s hope.

  40. 40.

    David Koch

    November 10, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    Very pretty face and hair, but she needs some implants.

  41. 41.

    Omnes Omnibus

    November 10, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    @Yutsano:
    @a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q): Thank you for reminding me to check to see if the philodendron needed to be watered. It did.

  42. 42.

    SiubhanDuinne

    November 10, 2011 at 8:50 pm

    Heh. I have an ad that says “Find a Local Plumber.”

  43. 43.

    Cervantes

    November 10, 2011 at 8:57 pm

    @Interrobang: Yes, the situation is not symmetric and not fair. But I still think it’s slightly offensive simply to assume that she wrote those words because she felt she had to or was cowed into doing so. Maybe she really feels that way. Would that be wrong? Or, as someone pointed out above, maybe she chose to write those words precisely in order to manipulate a local electorate that is biased. In fact, why assume from her words that we have any idea how she really defines herself?

  44. 44.

    Baron Jrod of Keeblershire

    November 10, 2011 at 9:01 pm

    No open thread?

    OT: Mayor Sam Adams of Portland has announced that the city will be shutting down the Occupy Portland protest at midnight Saturday night.

    The mayor’s statement is here.

    Are here is OP’s response.

    I can’t get to the GA tonight, sadly. I don’t really understand why Adams is giving the protestors three days to organize a resistance, but I don’t think OP will let itself be the only major Occupy protest to be shut down like this.

  45. 45.

    Carolinus

    November 10, 2011 at 9:15 pm

    @Miss Mouse:

    That is the strangest picture… it looks like she really doesn’t want to be kissed, and like his thumb is on her breast. Is that photoshopped or just a really awkward picture angle?

    Larger version of the image:
    http://media2.foxtoledo.com//photo/2011/11/10/AP081012013819_20111110010612_640_480.JPG

    Looks like the tips of his fingers are on her arm (or it’s a total hover-hand), his thumb isn’t touching anything, and she’s smiling for & looking toward a friend with a camera.

  46. 46.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    November 10, 2011 at 9:15 pm

    It’s stuckinred’s birthday. Happy day, dawg.

  47. 47.

    SiubhanDuinne

    November 10, 2011 at 9:19 pm

    One of her favorite books is Nickel and Dimed in America, so that sounds promising.

    Another is Richistan, which I’ve been meaning to read for a while now. She does sound like a very promising candidate. Kay, I hope you’ll keep us informed about her campaign and let us know if she needs a little Act Blue action as the election gets closer.

  48. 48.

    Omnes Omnibus

    November 10, 2011 at 9:22 pm

    @a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q): He is just Raven now. But Happy Birthday to the old man anyway.

  49. 49.

    SiubhanDuinne

    November 10, 2011 at 9:27 pm

    @a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q): @Omnes Omnibus:

    He mentioned this morning he was coming to Atlanta for the GA Tech-VA Tech game. I heard traffic was horrible heading to the stadium; hope he allowed a lot of time from Athens. Nothing like sitting in gridlock for an hour on your birthday.

    P.S. We’re forecast to have overnight temps in the mid-20s! Woot!

  50. 50.

    Omnes Omnibus

    November 10, 2011 at 9:42 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Madison is supposed to hit 24. Welcome to my world.

  51. 51.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    November 10, 2011 at 10:01 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: We had a brief snow shower here about 3 pm. I’d just gotten home from the office and told Mr. Q that the sky looks like snow, laughing, because it’s too early. I was mistaken about the early part.

  52. 52.

    SiubhanDuinne

    November 10, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Welcome to my world.

    A world not unknown to me. I grew up in Chicago and lived in Michigan for nine years. And I’m heading off to Canada on Sunday for three weeks; spent much of today making sure the rarely-used winter coathatglovesscarfboots are in order. Didn’t realize I might need them tomorrow in Atlanta.

  53. 53.

    PurpleGirl

    November 10, 2011 at 10:07 pm

    @Steve: Yes, her training at Gettysburg places her in ELCA.

    (I spent 10 years as a Lutheran at a church that was Missouri Synod but supported Seminex and eventually quit Missouri and went with ELCA.)

    I’d say she sounds somewhat liberal/lefty but also doesn’t want to scare conservatives too much… after all she is a minister from the liberal Lutheran tradition and Missouri Synod congregations still don’t admit women to the ministry.

  54. 54.

    Chuck Butcher

    November 10, 2011 at 10:15 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:
    Oh pah, a warmish 21F here in Baker City … BTW, snow still on the ground for the last 4 days.

    45th Parallel

  55. 55.

    MikeJ

    November 10, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    @Chuck Butcher: Here above the 47th it was 58°F today.

  56. 56.

    Yutsano

    November 11, 2011 at 12:52 am

    @MikeJ: Yes but every report says that goes the way of the dodo come morning. I’m psyched. I want white stuff!

  57. 57.

    Comrade Nimrod Humperdink

    November 11, 2011 at 6:56 am

    @TrishB: Sounds like a guy that got caught up in Wittgenstein or something and just kept going. There’s constructive stuff to be done with an obsession with formal logic, it’s out there. And as Chuck noted, he could quite literally illustrate why everyone else is always wrong rather than just complaining about it like the rest of us.

  58. 58.

    Omnes Omnibus

    November 11, 2011 at 7:23 am

    @Chuck Butcher: I live in Wisconsin. This is what the weather is supposed to be at this time of year.

  59. 59.

    ned

    November 11, 2011 at 8:26 am

    @Comrade Mary:
    You owe me a new monitor. My old one has coffee all over it now.

    :-)

  60. 60.

    shortstop

    November 11, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Toledo, a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, PA, and a Ph.D. in English ~ Rhetoric and Writing ~ from BGSU.

    That alone makes me want to hang out with her. What an interesting person she must be.

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