Joe 1, State Dems 0

Joe the Plumber didn't get his candidate for President of the United States elected...but he did manage to bag a state snoop caught abusing the vast Ohio government computer database for political purposes.

Everybody remembers Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher, the Toledo-area guy who questioned Barack Obama and became a footnote in political history in the process. Even after he was left by the curb when John McCain's campaign came up short, the long shadow of this citizen everyman is cast over the state political system.

The Dayton Daily News reports tonight Helen Jones-Kelley, the Strickland appointment to head the Department of Jobs and Family Services, will be celebrating the holidays off the public payroll.

Jones-Kelley is the state official caught with her virtual fingers in the virtual cookie jar, plunging through state record after state record digging up dirt on Joe after he had the temerity to actually challenge her choice for President. State computers did their work while her fingers flew over the keyboard, which also included soliciting support for the Obama campaign using her state email service.

Man, stuff like this gives government workers a bad name.

Governor Strickland, shocked that such activity would take place under the watch of a political appointee, placed Jones-Kelley on leave. Republicans cried it was a slap on the wrist, easy for them to say since their candidate lost. In fact, very easy for the GOP to say since just about all their candidates lost.

The State Inspector General found Jones-Kelley had indeed strayed over the line, and now she says for the continued safety of her family and concern over the legacy she leaves behind after her year in office she must step down.

What, a legacy of snooping?

Memo to Lt. Governor Fisher: the next time you lead a group of state officials to Asia on a trade mission, make Japan a stop for a primer on Seppuku, the practice of doing one's self in with a ceremonial slash to the abdomen. The class should note that this form of bloodletting, while a bit extreme, does include the unique concept of admitting shame and taking responsibility.

Former Attorney General Marc Dann was the last statewide office holder admitting shame but not taking responsibility until forced to; former Cuyahoga Falls State Representative John Widowfield provided a similar profile in courage before bowing out disgracefully; former Governor Bob Taft even found his moment in the dock while pleading out on ethics charges that forever condemned him to a lifetime of 11% approval rating.

Now Jones-Kelley goes out with a snarl because she was caught rather than leaving behind a lesson learned for others to follow.