Solved: The Congressional Staffer Behind "WTF 44"

[Ian David]

Solved: The Congressional Staffer Behind "WTF 44"
Uncovering the Republican Hill staffer with the Obama-bashing license plates.
— By Daniel Schulman



<snip>

A few days later, in a follow-up call concerning the request, a DMV official asked me for the plate information and ran it in the agency's database. As the information popped up on her screen, I heard her gasp. She told me the information was "sensitive." I asked whether this had to do specifically with the individual whose registration information I was requesting, or because of general privacy issues. "Both," she responded, refusing to provide any further information by phone.

<snip>

It took several weeks, and further back and forth with the Texas DMV, but I finally obtained the title and registration information connected to WTF 44. "Release of personal information restricted," the document notes. But this record does provide the basics. It notes there's a lien on the vehicle (indicating a loan) from the Congressional Federal Credit Union, a banking institution largely used by House employees. The document specifies that WTF 44 is a "special plate"—that is, not one that was randomly assigned. And it lists the owner of the Navigator: Scott Graves of Bronte, Texas.

Graves is the legislative director for Rep. K. Michael Conaway, a Texas Republican who represents a district in the western part of the state and who serves as a deputy Republican whip. Graves has worked for Conaway since the lawmaker entered Congress in 2005, starting out as a legislative assistant and working his way up to his current position in 2007. According to Graves' LinkedIn profile, he attended Texas Tech University.

Graves' Twitter feed reveals little in the way of Obama-bashing, but it does highlight a certain fondness for the WTF shorthand. Linking to a photo of an odd mural spotted in the Denver airport, he tweeted, in October, "Hey, Denver airport and whoever decided what life size murals to put up by baggage claim. WTF?" On Facebook, where Graves' profile shot is of Tom Selleck in a Speedo, Graves lists as one of his "interests" a page called "Can this Goat get more fans than Barack Obama?"

More:
http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/05/solved-congressional-staffer-behind-wtf-44

[tanyev]

1. Sounds like a good story for the Stephen Colbert treatment.

[txlibdem]

2. And exactly where was the TX plate "WTF 43" ???

[geckosfeet]

3. ,,, and wtf -1 through wtf - 42?

inquiring minds want to know

[Bucky]

5. I think I could buy a WTF-23 license with a clear conscience.

Let's face it, Benjamin Harrison was a fucktard.

[Bucky]

4. It's not a terribly offensive license plate. Sure, it's childish, but this is a Texas GOPer

Trust me, we make 'em much worse than this doofus down here.

[Blasphemer]

7. Yeah - doesn't seem like a big deal to me

There must be some that are similar or more offensive to #43 - at least I would hope so.

[FarLeftFist]

6. WINNING THE FUTURE 44!