'Joe the Plumber' stumps for Verga in Danville

An icon of conservative America from the 2008 presidential campaign, “Joe the Plumber” stopped in Danville Saturday morning to support 5th District congressional hopeful Laurence Verga and his constitutionalist ideals.

About a dozen supporters met in the upstairs banquet room at Mary’s Diner for coffee to see Joe “the Plumber” Wurzelbacher. Wurzelbacher gained notoriety after questioning then-Sen. Barack Obama about small business taxes in 2008 and now travels the country speaking at political events.

“There’s good Americans out there that are running that want to represent you,” Wurzelbacher said, wearing jeans and a blue flannel shirt. “I feel it’s my job to go around the country and facilitate that.”

But the Ohio resident didn’t pretend to know the fundamentals of the 5th District, which Democrat Rep. Tom Perriello represents. Verga, a real estate investor, is one of seven Republican candidates campaigning for the party nomination to challenge Perriello in November.

When asked what about the 5th District interests him, Wurzelbacher said: “Ultimately, this district itself? Nothing. I’m doing my best to help people like Laurence get elected — regular Americans. I have no special interest other than (that).”

Wurzelbacher’s remarks ranged from condemning “these punk little terrorists” to opposing same-sex marriage. He also criticized the Republican Party and its leaders, such as Sen. John McCain and Republican National Committee Chair-man Michael Steele, saying the GOP “betrayed our trust.”

But his main message centered on maintaining individual responsibility.

“You’ve gotta do your homework as Americans,” he said. “Most of the time I’m yelling at people because it’s our own fault where we’re at … Right now I think my best bet is just to keep Americans involved. Either guilt them, shame them or inspire them.”

Wurzelbacher and Verga spent a few minutes taking questions from the small crowd before heading to Lynchburg for a similar event.

Wurzelbacher said he and Verga had mutual friends who connected them after identifying congressional districts that are “vulnerable with candidates that are constitutional.” Wurzelbacher said he has received “hundreds” of other endorsement re-quests, but Verga is one of only five endorsements he has made.

Although he is paid for some of his speaking commitments, Wurzelbacher said Verga did not pay him for his appearance. Supporters attended the fundraiser for $25, or for $50, they could also attend a “private signed photo session,” as advertised on a mail piece.

Verga, who has lived in the Charlottesville area for six years after moving from California for a state with better taxes, credited the TEA party movement for his decision to run for Congress. Danville TEA Party Chairman Nigel Coleman was not in attendance Saturday, but said Verga was “a candidate to watch.”

Verga touted his 10-point campaign pledge — which includes opposing tax increases and supporting term limits. He also credited his campaign and supporters for having raised the most money so far. According to Federal Election Commission, Verga has collected $287,604 as of Dec. 31, 2009. However, $276,579 of that came from Verga’s own pocket in the form of loans and personal contributions.

“We want it to be a fair race,” he said, “but we don’t think it’s very fair and the reason it’s not very fair is the Republican establishment has gotten involved and is supporting the most liberal candidate — Robert Hurt. Robert’s an OK guy but he is not the leader that we need in the 5th District.”

Verga and other conservatives have criticized fellow candidate State Sen. Hurt because of his 2004 vote in favor of then-Gov. Mark Warner’s $1.4 billion tax increase. Verga pledged Saturday to reduce corporate and small business taxes and abolish the capital gains and estate taxes.

“We don’t want just an ‘R,’” he said. “We want people who are true conservatives that will make a difference.”

Hurt defended his conservative values in a phone interview Saturday, saying he looked forward to proving to district Republicans that he was the “strongest, most conservative candidate to take on Tom Perriello in November.”

“My fellow candidates are entitled to their opinions and their perspectives,” Hurt said. “But at the end of the day, our message of limited government, free markets and individual liberties will prevail at the ballot box.”

Across town in Danville on Saturday morning, the city and Pittsylvania County Republican committees held their monthly breakfast, where local party chairmen estimated about 40-50 people in attendance. Sen. Hurt and Delegate Danny Marshall, R-Danville, spoke about their upcoming legislative agendas, Danville Chairman Nick Fowler and Pittsylvania County Chairman Ronnie Mayhew said.

“I don’t have anything against ‘Joe the Plumber,’” Mayhew said in a phone interview, “but at the same time, what does his opinion matter about the 5th congressional district of Virginia? … I’m more interested in what the people of the 5th District have to say about who’s the best candidate for the House.”

Fowler supported any tactics that increased Republican participation in the race.

“We’re gonna be able to let our constituents make a fair choice,” he said. “Anytime you can bring people in to bring Republicans out works for me.”