Tiger Wu and the Three Tiers of Political Scum
Oregon Democrat David Wu, who made news earlier this year when staffers concerned about his mental health circulated the bizarre and now-infamous photo of the Congressman in a children's tiger costume, has come under scrutiny again after allegations that he sexually assaulted a teenage girl surfaced.
Following Craigslist Lee, Old-Fashioned-Affair Ensign and Twitpic Weiner, Tiger Wu marks the fourth political sex scandal in 2011 alone. However, unlike Lee, Ensign and Weiner, who were all rightfully shamed into resignation, Rep. Wu is as of now refusing to resign, but plans on retiring in 2012.
Most fascinating about the regrettably common sex scandals of the political class is how varied the public's response to very similar cases can be. In some cases, for instance, the calls for resignation are immediate and forceful. In others, the public merely shrugs and turns to look the other way. The disparity, I suspect, has a little to do with the political party of the perpetrator, but much more to do with the disposition of the politician in question.
Many a politician --John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Arnold Schwarzenegger-- is too proud to admit his error and downright incapable of shame. This haughty disposition, often coupled with great charm and charisma, makes this tier of politician nearly untouchable. These men don't feel bad for their transgressions, and they're able to persuade others that the transgressions are really no such thing; rather, they're "private matters."
The second tier of politician very much aspires to belong to the first. These men --Anthony Weiner, John Edwards, John Ensign, Eric Massa, and perhaps "Tiger" Wu after the scandal plays itself out-- are just as arrogant as the first tier. They also feel no shame for their iniquity. However, unlike the former group, these men lack a winsome personality. When the rubber hits the road, these politicians are not as beloved by the masses as they had always fancied themselves, and they're left dethroned and disgraced.
The last tier of politician is nearly exclusively made up of Republicans. These pitiable creatures --Larry Craig, Mark Foley, Christopher Lee-- have the great misfortune of feeling bad for their misdeeds and of being widely disliked. When ensnared in scandal, these lowly sorts have no choice but to leave town fast, never to return. Best case scenario, they're forgotten and able to slip into solemn obscurity. Worst case scenario, and more likely, they become the butt of jokes on the Daily Show, Real Time with Bill Maher, and SNL for years to come.
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Comments :
Dec '10
Re: Tiger Wu and the Three Tiers of Political Scum
Your first two tiers are psychopaths. Some are charming, some not. The political ranks and upper tiers of the corporate world are thick with them.
Re: Tiger Wu and the Three Tiers of Political Scum
I always felt like the Tigger pic was a low blow. Wasn't it halloween?
Apr '11
Re: Tiger Wu and the Three Tiers of Political Scum
David Wu should never been re-elected in the first place. Here is another Democrat disgrace being publicized on a Friday afternoon (Wu's second - his first was rape)
If Wu's infantile picture will get him removed from office, so be it. He is a scumbag and is due for removal by any legal means necessary.
Re: Tiger Wu and the Three Tiers of Political Scum
Crab bait
David Wu should never been re-elected in the first place. Here is another Democrat disgrace being publicized on a Friday afternoon (Wu's second - his first was rape)
If Wu's infantile picture will get him removed from office, so be it. He is a scumbag and is due for removal by any legal means necessary. · Jul 25 at 12:28pm
Why would a holloween costume get him removed from office? At least he isn't dressed like Frankenfurter.
May '10
Re: Tiger Wu and the Three Tiers of Political Scum
The wonderful thing about Tiggers is that Tiggers are wonderful things. Their tops are made out of rubber and their bottoms are made out of springs...
Apr '11
Re: Tiger Wu and the Three Tiers of Political Scum
Tommy De Seno
Crab bait
David Wu should never been re-elected in the first place. Here is another Democrat disgrace being publicized on a Friday afternoon (Wu's second - his first was rape)
If Wu's infantile picture will get him removed from office, so be it. He is a scumbag and is due for removal by any legal means necessary. · Jul 25 at 12:28pm
Why would a holloween costume get him removed from office? At least he isn't dressed like Frankenfurter. · Jul 25 at 12:37pm
In my experience Democrats (more than anything else) don't care to look foolish. Would you want to admit you voted the the twice accused rapist in the tiger costume?
May '10
Re: Tiger Wu and the Three Tiers of Political Scum
These bozos give men a bad name.
Dec '10
Re: Tiger Wu and the Three Tiers of Political Scum
I just don't get it. Why would anything expect anything different from an Oregon politician? Bob Packwood's transgressions were extremely pedestrian compared to Wu and Portland's illustrious pedophile mayor - Sam Adams.
Makes me so proud, I think I feel a tingle up my leg. Oh, no - wait. My name's not Chris Matthews. Never mind.
Jun '10
Re: Tiger Wu and the Three Tiers of Political Scum
David Wu is my representative. Any wonder why I'm on Ricochet? Any further comments will violate CoC...
Re: Tiger Wu and the Three Tiers of Political Scum
I don't think it was just the photo that made folks raise their eyebrows. It was the bizarre photo coupled with reports from staffers that he was unhinged and seemed to be at the verge of a mental breakdown that got people's attention.
Aug '10
Re: Tiger Wu and the Three Tiers of Political Scum
Diane Ellis, Ed.
I don't think it was just the photo that made folks raise their eyebrows. It was the bizarre photo coupled with reports from staffers that he was unhinged and seemed to be at the verge of a mental breakdown that got people's attention. · Jul 25 at 4:39pm
Tommy is a generous man. Wu's sending the photo in the state of mind he was in, that was the story.
Now the pic and the Democrat from Crazytown angle go hand in hand, the pic with the story is a slam dunk.
15 will get you 20 (him too, if the she presses charges) Democratic Party shotcallers greenlight his tenure quick, fast and in a hurry.
They are just too busy trying to increase revenues right now.
Edited on Jul 25, 2011 at 5:34pmDec '10
Re: Tiger Wu and the Three Tiers of Political Scum
See Dave, you need to move south to Wilsonville. Of course, we're stuck with Schrader, but at least he hasn't done anything overtly loony yet. He's a flaming Lib, but we haven't heard about any predatory behaviors.
Jul '11
Re: Tiger Wu and the Three Tiers of Political Scum
... if ya know what I mean.