Samuel "Joe" Wurzelbacher aka Joe the Plumber

Samuel "Joe" Wurzelbacher aka Joe the Plumber

Joe the Plumber is appearing with Republican State Auditor candidate Allen Icet as Icet kicks off his state-wide campaign.

And Samuel “Joe” Wurzelbacher dismisses suggestions from Icet’s Republican opponent, Tom Schweich, that Icet has to pay for his endorsement. Wurzelbacher makes a point that he has had requests from more than 145 candidates for endorsements and has only endorsed seven.

“I guess my answer to that is: over 145 requests, seven candidates; I’m a lousy whore,” Wurzelbacher tells reporters during an Icet for Auditor campaign stop in Jefferson City.

Wurzelbacher says he endorsed Icet, because of his character.

“You know I’d much whether take somebody who knows nothing about politics, but has honor and integrity and character. I know they will go up there and do the right thing,” Wurzelbacher says, “because they’ll work. It’s called work ethic. It’s something America has always had and there are a lot of us that still out there that have it.”

The Icet campaign says it has paid Wurzelbacher’s expenses during the campaign.

Allen Icet presents Joe Wurzelbacher a Missouri flag

Allen Icet presents Joe Wurzelbacher a Missouri flag

AUDIO: “Joe the Plumber” takes questions during Icet campaign Jefferson City stop [11 min MP3]