Federal court rejects 'Joe the Plumber' suit

[Julian Englis]

Source: Twin Cities.com/Pioneer Press

Federal appeals judges Tuesday rejected a lawsuit by "Joe the Plumber" that claimed his rights were violated by a state records search after he voiced public concern over taxes to then-candidate Barack Obama.

The three-judge 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel upheld a lower court's dismissal of the lawsuit. Samuel Wurzelbacher of the Toledo area became nationally known as "Joe" during the 2008 presidential campaign after the much-quoted discussion about taxes with Obama.

He claims his First Amendment and privacy rights were violated by three Ohio Job and Family Services officials who were Obama supporters and who searched databases for information about him soon after the discussion. The department's director and another official resigned and the third official was ousted in the aftermath of the searches.

The judges found Wurzelbacher wasn't harmed and there was no interference with his free speech by the "fruitless database searches" conducted.

Read more: http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_20267111/federal-court-rejects-joe-plumber-suit

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Another victory of goodness over whining.

[On the Road]

1. I Can See Why "Joe" Would be Upset

and even where he might have a case, but how can you make this a first amendment issue? Wouldn't it be a matter of privacy rights or use of government for partisan ends?

[brooklynite]

4. Implication was probably that search was an effort to suppress his speech

and thus deny him rights under the First Amendment.

[greiner3]

5. He could only seek to have this tried as a Civil matter.

This is something he should have done in the first place. But then again, he and his backers only care about the press he garnered about his suit.

[Grassy Knoll]

2. How disappointing for him...

thinking he was relevant.

[guitar man]

3. Flushed his case

Right down the crapper

[Javaman]

6. janitor in a drum likes all the trappings of fame but hates the part

that fame has a price.

joe plumbing the depths of stupidity.