Joe Wurtzelbacher Does The Press

January 13, 2009 / 2:19 pm • By Dr. Melissa Clouthier

Ostensibly, Joe the Plumber reports from Israel for Pajamas Media. And he is, in fact, reporting about the Israel war from Israel as a journalist. But what he’s really doing is putting lie to the idea that a war correspondent needs to be trained journalists to be a credible reporter.

Pajamas Media scored a marketing coup by hiring Joe. They simultaneously get war reporting and the added press of being hated by the press. It’s a win-win!

As newspapers decline and other mainstream media sources lose influence, it’s no fun being shown up by an American everyman who will get followers because he’s unabashedly pro-Israel while trying to report the facts. Citizen journalism, indeed. It’s the biggest threat to the Mainstream media and their worst fear realized. And, it’s delightful entertainment watching it unfold.

  1. 3 Responses to “Joe Wurtzelbacher Does The Press”

  2. TheBigHenry
    January 13 2009 / 3:24 pm
    Reply

    “The new mantra is, ‘I am Joe the plumber!’ cuz you know…I identify!”

    http://www.stoptheaclu.com/archives/2008/10/15/joe-the-plumber/

  3. Kate
    January 13 2009 / 7:07 pm
    Reply

    I thought Sean Penn proved that any schmo off the street could be a journalist. Not that I mind Joe the Plumber. Time was, being a reporter was a trade, not a fancy profession.

  4. Daniel
    January 13 2009 / 10:17 pm
    Reply

    I like Joe the Plumber. I also wanted to test the Gravatar piece of the new plug-in. :)

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