Joe the Plumber and Character Assassination

OK, perhaps it happens on both (or all) sides, but this is the one currently in the news. Joe the Plumber, he of Obama's "spread-the-wealth" comment fame, had his background checked through state-managed computer systems back in Ohio.

According to this article in the Columbus Dispatch, Helen Jones-Kelley, Director of the Department of Family and Job Services (whose sytems were used to make the checks), indicated that it was "consistent with past departmental practice" to make such checks.

Considering how quickly we discovered that Joe doesn't have a plumber's license or a business license or a union membership, I'd say the only reason we don't know that he's involved in a child support case or have tax problems is because he isn't and doesn't.