Joe the Plumber trades wrench for reporter's pad in Sderot
Samuel Wurzelbacher, aka 'Joe the Plumber' arrives in Israel to cover Gaza conflict on behalf of conservative US website. Rookie war reporter says he was embraced by Sderot people, slams mainstream US media for 'demonizing' Israel
The man known as Joe the Plumber has set aside his wrenches to become a rookie war reporter, covering Israel's side of military offensive in Gaza on behalf of the conservative US website pjtv.com.
Toledo-area resident Samuel Wurzelbacher became a household name when John McCain referenced him during the presidential campaign.
Standing in front of a pile of spent rockets Sunday, the rookie reporter said he had lots of questions but couldn't think of the right one.
However, he has plenty to say about his contempt for people who criticize Israel's attack on Gaza. The McCain supporter said he doesn't understand why the country didn't act sooner.
"Why hasn't Israel acted sooner?" Wurzelbacher asked. "I know if I were a citizen here, I'd be damned upset."
The people of Sderot "can't do normal things day to day" like get soap in their eyes in the shower, for fear of rockets, he said. "I'm sure they're taking quick showers," he said. "I know I would."
He described himself as a "peace loving man," but added, "when someone hits me, I'm going to unload on the boy. And if the rest of the world doesn't understand that, then I'm sorry."
Wurzelbacher, who underwent intense media scrutiny during the recent US presidential campaign, said he was enlisted to cover Israel because he's "an expert on media bias": "I was on the short end of the stick," like Israel is now, he said.
Wurzelbacher said the full story of Israel's campaign against Hamas is being passed over by the mainstream news outlets. He said the media is "demonizing Israel instead of recognizing it as the victim of Gaza militants," who have been incessantly firing thousands of rockets at its south.
"It's asinine when someone is firing upon you and the world is coming down on you," he said. "Common sense has gone out the window. Hamas hides among its own people causing civilian casualties," he added. "But I hear no cry out from the international community."
Wurzelbacher said he's been "embraced" by the people of Israel because "they know I have no agenda but the truth."
AP contributed to this report
