Congressman's brief bout of 'Bieber fever' cured

[Ghost in the Machine]

Congressman's brief bout of 'Bieber fever' cured
Posted: Feb 18, 2011 2:51 PM EST
Updated: Feb 19, 2011 12:52 PM EST

By STEPHANIE REITZ
Associated Press
HARTFORD, Connecticut (AP) - For a short time, they seemed so simpatico: the idealistic congressman, the teenage singing sensation, their shared disappointment in the U.S. health care system.

Now, though, Connecticut Democrat Christopher Murphy and Justin Bieber, the famously coiffed Pied Piper of love-struck girls worldwide, have parted ways philosophically over the Biebs' opposition to abortion.

Their split is less puzzling to some observers than the fact that Murphy, 37, a three-term U.S. representative, even invoked the pop star as a voice of authority in the first place.

No worries, Murphy said Friday: He doesn't have Bieber fever, nor is he taking public policy directives from pop culture.

He's just using Twitter and Facebook to stay connected with constituents and show them he's a regular guy, he said, "even one who is probably too plugged in to pop culture."

http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14058521