Detroit News notes Albright hire by Knollenberg

This article appeared on January 2 in the Detroit News, noting Trent Wisecup's run-in with a camera wielding anti-war activist (me) and gives the link to the video and quotes Joe as saying Craig Albright is a professional, maybe implying Trent wasn't so professional?

It looks like rather than take a new tack, Joe prefers to stick with someone he knows. I expect that we'll see more of the same from Joe, rather than learning from his mistakes of the past. That's good news for Gary Peters, his expected opponent in the 2008 general election. This being Joe's last campaign, I'm glad Joe at least isn't going to turn into a Mitt Romney flip-flopper. Oh, did I mention Joe endorsed Romney?

Rep. Knollenberg hires top aide

U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Hills, announced today that he's hired a new chief of staff, Craig Albright, who's worked in Republican politics since the mid-1990s and who's also getting ready to be a first-time dad.

Knollenberg is expected to face another barnburner of a race. He's targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He'll face the winner of the Democratic match between former Michigan lottery commissioner Gary Peters and Nancy Skinner, who held Knollenberg to an unimpressive 52-percent victory in 2006.

The already hot feelings in the race were captured on video and posted on YouTube in October. Knollenberg's chief of staff at the time, Trent Wisecup, got into a testy exchange with a camera-wielding anti-war activist. The video has now been watched 47,696 times. Afterwards, Wisecup announced he had gone on paid medical leave to seek treatment for a mood-swing disorder. Knollenberg's office said Wisecup is no longer employed either on the congressional or campaign staff.

"I'm excited to have Craig on board," Knollenberg said in a statement. "He's a true professional and effective at getting things done. It's rare to find someone with extensive knowledge of both my congressional district and Washington, DC."

Albright grew up in Birmingham and has a BA in economics from Michigan State University.

He worked as a legislative aide in the Michigan state legislature before Knollenberg hired him from 1997 to 2005 (including as campaign manager in 2002). He then worked for Vice President Cheney as deputy assistant for legislative affairs and for President Bush as special assistant for legislative affairs.

Joe promised to hold hearings on toilets

Wow, this is going to be more fun than I thought. The more I look into the scandal surrounding low-flush toilets, the more serious a problem this looks like. After introducing legislation to repeal the low-flush toilet requirement, Joe, through his legislative director, Craig Albright, promised to hold hearings looking into this serious matter facing the nation.

I feel better already knowing that Joe was on the case and holding hearings. I wonder who the witnesses were. I'll report back in another post.

Even the New York Times weighed in on Poopgate. Click here.

Click here to read the full article.
Early last year, Knollenberg introduced H.R. 859, the Plumbing Standards Improvement Act of 1997, which would repeal the low-flow mandate. The bill has generated substantial public support. "The mail has just been tremendous," says Craig Albright, a legislative assistant to Knollenberg. Most complain about the performance of the new toilets, and about a government that would do such a thing to them. For example, Bill Lynn of Davenport, Iowa, said his new toilets "clog easily, and I find that I sometimes must flush them five or six times," and that "this is just another case of government intrusion, and we have plenty of that." A few have also come to realize that the law's means for conserving water may be a bit misdirected. "It is especially frustrating when I'm plunging my toilet for the third time in one day, to gaze out my window and see my neighbor's sprinkling system," noted Kurt Topel of Riverwoods, Ill. The congressman has promised to hold a hearing after the fall elections.

Albright worked for Joe during toilet movement

I did a little research on Craig Albright, Joe Knollenberg's new Chief of Staff. It appears Craig was Joe's legislative director in 1998 when Joe made it a priority to repeal a law mandating low-flow toilets. Click here for Dave Barry's point of view on the Toilet Police.

I'm impressed! Repealing something with as much importance and low-flow toilets is something I'd want to to flush out for the voters in the 9th District.

I can't wait to see how Craig reacts to the swirling campaign taking place in the 9th District.

Knollenberg names former Bush Cheney legislative director as Chief of Staff

Welcome to the race, Craig. Given your background working in the Bush/Cheney White House, it looks like Joe chose someone with some pretty bad baggage. Looks like Craig has the same priorities as Trent, so he looks to be a pretty good fit for Joe's last campaign.

Albright named Knollenberg chief of staff

Birmingham native Craig Albright has been named chief of staff for Congressman Joe Knollenberg (R-9th District).

Albright replaced Trent Wisecup who resigned later last year.

Knollenberg made the announcement Wednesday.

“I’m excited to have Craig on board,” Knollenberg said is a press release. “He’s a true professional and effective at getting things done. It’s rare to find someone with extensive knowledge of both my Congressional District and Washington, D.C.

“Craig’s dedication to the people of the 9th District and knowledge of Washington are the perfect combination to assist me in accomplishing what I want to do for the people here in Oakland County.”

Albright worked for two years as a legislative aide in the Michigan State Legislature before moving to Washington to work for Knollenberg. He worked for Knollenberg from 1997-2005, including nearly four years as legislative director, and served as Knollenberg’s campaign manager in 2002. From 2005-2006, Albright served as deputy assistant for Legislative Affairs to vice president Dick Cheney. From 2006 until the end of 2007, he served as special assistant for Legislative Affairs to President Bush.

Albright was raised in Birmingham and his parents live there. He received a bachelor of arts in economics degree from Michigan State University. He and his wife Mary Beth are expecting their first child later this year.