Although Anthony Weiner provided more comic fodder than anyone could have ever hoped for (the name, my god, is was just too perfect), the latest congressman to resign under shameful circumstances is giving him a run for his money.
Unlike Weiner’s wiener pictures and the long, drawn-out circus of lies, denials and eventual admissions, Wu is making a quick exit from the 112th Congress.
Only days after allegations surfaced that Representative Wu had an “unwanted sexual encounter” with an 18-year-old woman, the seven-term congressman has announced that he will resign.
From his statement today –
It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be a United States Congressman. Rare is the nation in which an immigrant child can become a national political figure. I thank God and my parents for the privilege of being an American.
The wellbeing of my children must come before anything else. With great sadness, I therefore intend to resign effective upon the resolution of the debt-ceiling crisis. This is the right decision for my family, the institution of the House, and my colleagues.
Wu, who was elected out of the state of Oregon despite a rape accusation from the 1970’s hanging over his head, told Rep. John Larson (D-CT) that he did not use good judgement, but did nothing illegal. Although the girl involved in the accusation hasn’t yet filed any criminal complaints, the allegations seems to be enough to force Wu’s resignation.
This isn’t the first time that David Wu has been involved in a strange scandal. Months ago, Wu sent the lead image above of himself in a tiger suit to a female staffer in his campaign using his congressional Blackberry. The message contained no text, just the photo of Wu dressed like a tiger.
He later explained that he was under the influence of painkillers and mental duress due to stress. He later sought mental-health care and medication.
But Wu in the tiger suit, sadly enough, may be the man’s legacy. You can imagine how the “furry” jokes piled up following that incident. And with his resignation today, Twitter is proving that it remembers. Oh, how it remembers –
Nancy Pelosi wants David Wu to step down…she’s pissed he looks better in a tiger suit than she does.
David Wu resigns from Congress. So much for Tiger Blood.
@griffitherin Debate at Adweek HQ: is David Wu’s tiger costume Tony the Tiger, Tigger, or just a generic tiger?
So hard! I vote Tigger? RTThe most wonderful thing about Tiggers is that David Wu is resigning.
And here are some other tiger-less responses from the Twitterverse –
Ethics charges will be brought against Democratic Congressman David Wu for installing a mirror on his debt ceiling.
Bwah. David Wu to step down when nation’s debt limit resolved. Because he’s going to be instrumental…
Folks, do not go stir crazy over David Wu, David Vitter or any one else. Let’s pressure lawmakers for a balanced approach to debt crisis.