Tough job market for GOP: Congressional staffer bolts to become hotel manager Nick Juliano

Published: Monday December 3, 2007



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Print This Email This Job paths in politics tend to follow a fairly similar pattern. Young motivated men and women typically start with low-paying gigs working for members of Congress, and as they move up the food-chain more lucrative opportunities with outside consulting or lobbying firms often present themselves. The career path of one Republican congressional staffer may show a tough job market for the GOP, as Roll Call reports Monday. The communications director for Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) told colleagues he is leaving the Hill -- and politics altogether -- to manage a Holliday Inn Express in Kansas. I knew times were tough for Republicans on the Hill but looks like things might be sinking to a whole new level if these are the only options we have left,," one GOP staffer told the newspaper's gossip column. Chuck Knapp, the departing staffer, tells "Heard on the Hill" that his departure from Tiahrt's office after seven years was motivated by the prospect of regular hours and the opportunity to spend more time with his family. Currently based in Tiahrt's Wichita district office, Knapp said he's ready to abandon the monthly trips to Washington his job required. After 17 years in politics, Knapp said he knows that the "spending more time with my family" line is sure to raise skepticism in explaining his unorthodox move, but he won't be losing any sleep worrying about doubters. People can spend all the time second-guessing or speculating, but I know that Im doing the right thing for me and my family, he told the paper. My wife tells me she has already noticed the difference.



