Wendy Cook ripped apart Rosie O’Donnell’s defense of rap music on “The View” and lavished praise on QubeTV, a conservative version of YouTube, while writing for the grass-roots media watchdog Accuracy in Media. Now, this graduate of Liberty University will continue to pass along the conservative message as the voice of Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.). [IMGCAP(2)]

Cook, 24, is replacing Courtney English as Tiahrt’s press secretary. With an MBA and experience at several broadcast media outlets, Tiahrt called Cook’s writing “exceptional” and lavished praise on her public speaking ability in a statement. While Cook recognizes this ability may not be utilized to cover topics such as Rosie or Qube, she is excited about continuing her work on perhaps more officious subject matter. [IMGCAP(1)]

Cook is from Keystone Heights, Fla.

Help Is on the Way. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) won’t be singing “Help!” anymore, after taking on a whopping five new folks to help him out as chairman of the

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee on federal financial management, government information, federal services and international security. The roster includes one Philadelphia Eagles-loving Democratic staff director, an ex-Charleston Food+Wine coordinator, and one fantastically named assistant to the chief of staff (Katinka Podmaniczky).

Carper’s new Democratic staff director is John Kilvington, 30, a 1999 University of Delaware graduate who majored in political science and English. From Newark, Del., Kilvington formerly served as deputy Democratic staff director of the subcommittee.

The new staff assistant is Bryer Davis, 23, who just graduated in 2006 from the College of Charleston, where she received her bachelor’s degree in media communications. She is from Annapolis, Md.

The aforementioned Podmaniczky, before coming aboard Carper’s staff, held positions at Stones’ Phones and EMILY’s List before taking the job in Carper’s office. She graduated from Bowdoin University with honors in 2006, earning degrees in government and legal studies. She is 23 and originally from Wilmington, Del.

Additionally, Wendy Anderson is the new professional staff director, bringing to the job a master’s degree from the Harvard Divinity School, a Truman fellowship and a term membership honor from the Council on Foreign Relations.

Chuck Jones is the office’s legislative assistant, responsible for banking issues. He holds a master’s degree in world politics from Catholic University and has previously worked for the Federal Housing Finance Board and the State Department.

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