Democrat David Wu's resignation: Winners and losers
The Oregon congressman announces that he'll step down in the face of a damaging sex scandal. A look at the potential fallout
Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) announced Tuesday that he will resign from Congress, just days after a newspaper reported that a teenage woman had accused the seven-term congressman of forcing her into an "unwanted sexual encounter." Wu has acknowledged that something happened between him and the 18-year-old, a daughter of one of his donors, but maintained that it was consensual. Wu, who has grown increasingly unpopular following reports of odd behavior (including sending staff members a photo of himself in a tiger costume), initially said he would stay in office, but not run for an eighth term next year. Now he says he'll retire once Congress resolves the debt-ceiling crisis, so he can focus on the needs of his children while "fighting these very serious accusations." Who benefits from this episode, and who gets hurt? Here, a brief guide:
WINNERS
Republicans
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A scandal-plagued Wu still might have won re-election in his heavily Democratic district, says Ed Morrissey at Hot Air. Heck, "even a nonincumbent Democrat should have held that seat with Barack Obama at the top of the ticket" in November 2012. But Wu's resignation means he will be replaced in a special election. Such irregular elections have very low turnouts, so Republicans might have a chance to pick up this seat if they get motivated.
Democrats
Actually, Wu's departure should guarantee that Democrats will hold on to his seat, says Paul Steinhauser at CNN. His district, which includes part of Portland, is a liberal bastion that has been represented by a Democrat since 1976. "This should be a slam dunk for Democrats," says one Republican source. "The only shot Republicans had was to have Wu in the race."
Voters in Wu's district
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The "tide of public opinion" turned against Wu the moment this scandal broke, says Steve Benham at KATU.com. A KATU News/Survey USA poll on Monday found that 75 percent out of registered voters in his congressional district wanted Wu to quit. In March, a similar poll found that only 46 percent wanted Wu to go. Now the growing anti-Wu constituency gets its way.
LOSERS
Democrats
The Democrats have sure been through a rough patch, says Teresa Carson at Reuters. Another Democrat, former Rep. Anthony Weiner, resigned in disgrace in June after an embarrassing sexting scandal. Then this week, Nancy Pelosi, the top House Democrat, had to call for an ethics investigation into Wu's behavior. And now Wu, the first Chinese-American elected to Congress, is going, and leaving the party to repair the damage he leaves behind.
Congress
"This is getting ridiculous," says Steven Benen at Washington Monthly. Wu is actually the fifth member of the 112th Congress to resign. People are already talking about how this could be the "worst Congress ever." The 112th was supposed to be all about creating jobs, but now it will be remembered for its parade of scandals and career implosions.
Common decency
This disgusting scandal is hardly surprising, says Jessica Grose at Slate. Just as Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor of California despite allegations that he sexually harassed a woman on a movie set, Wu won in 2004 despite reports that he had been disciplined in college for another forced sexual encounter. "Wu's brazenness — allegedly assaulting the daughter of a friend! — mirror's Schwarzenegger's gall in having an affair with a domestic employee who even vacationed with his family."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Try 6 free issues of The Week Junior
Spark your child's curiosity with The Week Junior - the award-winning current affairs magazine for 8-14s.
By The Week Published
-
Netanyahu's Rafah attack vow snarls truce deal
Speed Read Hours before the truce deal was to be finalized, Netanyahu said Israel will invade Rafah regardless
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - May 1, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - beware of governor, biting debates, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published