As if further evidence was needed of the phenomenon that is "Joe the Plumber" (however brief it may be), there comes this e-mail advisory:

Real Toledo Area Plumbers to Hold Press Conference to Express Their Grave Concerns with Senator McCain’s Economic Policies

The message goes on to advise that in Northwood, Ohio, today "members of Local 50 Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics" will not only take questions but "share their concerns with several of Sen. McCain's proposals, including his plan to tax employer-based healthcare insurance, his tax proposal which favors the wealthy over working Ohioans and other issues that will impact working families."

The gathering takes place shortly before a scheduled McCain appearance in Westerville, Ohio.

Joe the Plumber -- aka Samuel "Joe" Wurzelbacher -- lives in Holland, Ohio, and was invited to McCain's rally. No word on whether the fellow the the Republican presidential candidate thrust into the spotlight as an iconic working stiff (but who, as it turns out, is not an officially licensed plumber) will make it.

(UPDATE: The Huffington Post reports that in Colorado, Democrats have unleashed electronic messages that feature a plumber identified as Joe Martinez. In the robo calls, Martinez touts Barack Obama's tax plan.)

-- Don Frederick