Seven-term Democratic representative David Wu is being asked to step down, after sending a picture of himself in a tiger costume to his staff. But it’s not just the tiger pic — seven staff members resigned after the 2010 election season, in which Wu exhibited some bizarre office behavior. On Tuesday, Wu appeared on Good Morning America to address it all.
First off, the tiger costume: It was just Wu dressing up to play with his kids, and he admits it was “unprofessional and inappropriate” to send to his staff. Wu also admitted to taking two painkillers given to him by a campaign donor. But! “This was the only time that this has ever happened,” said Wu. “I recognize that my action showed poor judgment at the time, and I sincerely regret having put my staff in a difficult position.” And now, Wu told GMA he’s being treated with counseling and prescribed meds.
Not surprisingly, the call for Wu to step down is being led by Republican Party Chair Allen Alley. “He has a really important job,” said Alley. “And the citizens of Oregon and the citizens of the congressional district deserve to have a congressman who’s completely focused on serving them and being a great congressman.” Two papers in his district Oregonian papers — the Eugene Register Guard and his own district’s Daily Astorian — also expressed concerns about Wu’s mental health. And the Guard called for his resignation, citing his “lack of candor, not because of treatment.” But Wu says he has no plans to resign.
