U.S. Rep. David Wu loses staffers, political team amid complaints of public behavior

The Oregonian ^ | January 18, 2011 | Janie Har

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Since the November election, U.S. Rep. David Wu, D-Ore., has lost at least six staffers plus the leadership of a veteran campaign team that guided him to a seventh term amid complaints about his public behavior.

The exodus includes Wu's longtime chief of staff, Julie Tippens, and communications director, Julia Krahe, both in Washington, D.C. Krahe left without securing a job while Tippens took a similar position with a lawmaker with far less seniority.

In addition, Wu has lost virtually his entire political team -- people who have been with the Democrat for more than a decade -- including his chief fundraiser, Lisa Kurdziel, and chief pollster, Lisa Grove, who told The Oregonian she wouldn't work for him again.

"It is highly unusual for successful campaigns to change teams after the election," said Michael Meehan, a veteran Democratic consultant who was a senior adviser to Sen. John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign.

Wu declined to be interviewed for this story but in a written statement praised his employees. "I have only the utmost esteem for every member of my staff, present and past," he wrote.

But the staff departures come amid questions about Wu's behavior during the campaign. On Oct. 27, he gave a speech so negative and loud that a Washington County Democratic Party member complained formally to his office.

[pnh102]

Ahh, David Wu... the congressman from the Klingon Home World.

[monkeyshine]

“Are you with me Dr. Wu
Are you really just a shadow
Of the man that I once knew
Are you crazy are you high
Or just an ordinary guy
Have you done all you can do
Are you with me Dr. Wu”

-Dr. Wu lyrics by Steely Dan

[Uncle Miltie]

The CongressCritter seems to have a tenuous hold on sanity.

[DarthVader]

Wopani Wu the next Jared Loughner candidate. Go after him with a straight jacket.

[NewHampshireDuo]

....said Michael Meehan, a veteran Democratic consultant who was a senior adviser to Sen. John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign.

Didn't Michael have some anger issues? I think he accosted someone IIRC.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Yes; good memory.

Weekly Standard Reporter Shoved Outside of Democratic Fundraiser

[Izzy Dunne]

So, he's a creep, and they KNOW he's a creep, but they'll work to get him elected, and THEN bail?

Thanks for bettering the country, ya'll.

[Navy Patriot]

Check Wu’s backyard for a massive pot farm.

[JennysCool]

Wu, who has represented Oregon's 1st Congressional District since 1999, has been less known for his legislative achievements than his strident opposition to China and bursts of puzzling public behavior. In one instance, he warned of faux Klingons in the White House during a floor speech in 2007. In 2003, as the House was convulsing to pass the Medicare prescription bill, Wu fell into a state that one colleague described as "almost catatonic," according to The Washington Post, as Democratic leaders frantically tried to get him to vote for the bill.

A mix of irrational paranoia and convenient lethargy? The perfect Democrat.

[ozzymandus]

Alan Grayson proved that a congressman does not have to be sane to hold office.

[gusty]

C***s**ka!!!

[proudpapa]

For those wondering...this is the same David Wu accused of rape...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/1244043/posts