Since I recently moved, Congressman Tigger has been my representative for the last 2 months. Hopefully, though, not for much longer. The Oregonian is reporting that Congressman Wu spoke with Minority Leader Pelosi this afternoon, after her meeting at the White House. According to sources, Congresswoman Pelosi told (not asked, told) Congressman Wu to resign.
Congresswoman Pelosi took action after a late breaking report from The Oregonian yesterday that Congressman Wu is being accused of having an unwanted sexual encounter with an 18-year-old woman. Congressman Wu, 56, claims the encounter was consensual.
This is what Congressman Wu said yesterday evening about the allegations:
"This is very serious, and I have absolutely no desire to bring unwanted publicity, attention, or stress to a young woman and her family."
My rough parsing of this statement:
"I did it, but I don't want to admit it yet.
After what happened to ex-Rep. Weiner, I would be shocked if Congressman Wu survives this. He has a history of erratic behavior (just Google "faux klingons" for a tasty sample, or go to Wu's Wikipedia page), and even if he tried to soldier on, he would be a William Jefferson-level pariah in the House. If the allegation is true, California authorities should act swiftly and surely; such behavior is rightly criminal and must be punished.
I'll leave the electoral analysis to others, but here's some basic info about his seat. The Oregon 1st District covers the Northwest corner of Oregon. It includes all of Clatsop County (North Coast), Columbia County (Lower Columbia River), Washington County (west suburbs of Portland) and Yamhill County (wine country), as well as part of Multnomah County (City of Portland). Columbia Sportswear, Intel, and Nike are all in this district. The seat became slightly more conservative in redistricting, losing most of Downtown and SW Portland and gaining the rural/industrial areas of NW Portland/Multnomah County in a swap with District 3 (Earl Blumenauer). The 1st District has elected a Democrat for 19 consecutive terms (1974-2010). Oregon Labor Commisioner Brad Avakian and State Rep. Bradley Witt are currently running for the 2012 Democratic nomination for the seat, and both had filed before the latest Wu-haha.
UPDATED: Avakian Calls for Wu's Resignation
It's certainly self-serving, but at a pre-scheduled campaign event this afternoon, Brad Avakian said David Wu has "no business" serving in Congress. Brad Witt did not comment directly , but his chief of staff said that Wu owes his constituents an explanation of the events.