Looks like Sam Adams is a liar. He should resign or face impeachment.

http://www.katu.com/news/37848109.html

Fooled again. Who would replace him? Not that it matters because I kind of agree. It's disappointing that he lied about it. And yeah, he did nothing illegal ( or so he says ) but I'm just fed up with getting lied to about direct questions and being played a fool.

Losing your job over lying about something like this is not all that severe a punishment.

So yeah. I reluctantly agree; I'd be a hypocrite to say otherwise.

On the other hand, anyone asking ME questions about my sex life and other personal information is going to get lied to. How did we as a society stoop so low to be asking these kind of questions of our political leaders in the first place?

Sam should stay and say F-all!

It's unlikely it will have any impact until reelection time.

>>He should resign or face impeachment

A rare moment in pdxradio history...I agree with Vitalogy.

>>How did we as a society stoop so low

Competitiveness of the media would be one reason.

>>fed up with getting lied to about direct questions and being played a fool

Any Portland mayor with conservative idealogy would be out.

I understand why he lied, even though this relationship he had looks like terrible judgment. He didn't break any laws yet he assumed no one would believe him. I don't quite know why people think he should resign for lying about a personal, private matter involving consenting adults. And I don't know what it has to do with being Mayor of Portland.

Do you have an obligation to be truthful about any personal question asked of you? Should some questions be out of bounds?

Any Portland mayor with conservative idealogy would be out.

Of course, because to you, a person's sex life matters.

Care to list all who you had sex with during the last 25 years and the approximate dates?


Broadway's sex history:

1) Name..................... Date..............

2) Name..................... Date..............

3) Name..................... Date..............

I think three names are two more than Broadway can list.

Can anyone here know what the word integrity means?
I have been faithful to my first and only wife for over 31 years.
Skep...you hit a new low. God have mercy on your soul.

I understand why he lied, even though this relationship he had looks like terrible judgment.
Agreed.

However, I also agree with:
I don't quite know why people think he should resign for lying about a personal, private matter involving consenting adults.

The "kid" was 18 when they had the relationship, which means he was old enough to give consent. And, unless anything else happened other than the consumption of food, lunch is just that–lunch. For all we know, "advice" could've been what color shoes go best with a certain color tie. I'll agree that it was poor judgement, but it sounds like everyone knew that, including Sam. Additionally, this is a personal, private matter... who are we to get involved with that type of thing?

Now, some advice I don't normally give: IMO, the best thing at this time is two prayers/sayings, both of which are found on page 360 of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Yes, one is the prayer for the Confession of Sin. The other is the Peace.

When a 42 year old man in a position of power has sex with a 17 or just barely 18 year old kid he claims to be mentoring, it's an abuse of power, preditory behavior and monumentally bad judgment. When he asks the kid to lie about the event to protect his political career, it borders on the criminal. And if you read the kid's statement of fear at Oregon live, it sounds like Sam may still be trying to cover up the timing/kid's age at the time of the relationship.

It may not be illegal. There may not be grounds for impeachment. But it's disturbing and completely unprincipled. I wouldn't trust another word out of his mouth. For the good of the city, he should resign.

"Sho" me a new mayor.

"Sho" me a new mayor.

Amen.

Another former mayor, Neil Goldschmidt, seemed to have the same problem with creepiness and dishonesty. Both gentlemen are lucky that Americans have moved past traditional punishments.

Does anyone know how the law reads regarding a mid-term Portland Mayoral replacement? Who moves up? Or is there a new election? Or does Adams appoint someone?

I just thought of another valid couple of questions to ask regarding the situation, if muckraking is your thing.

Was Mr. Breedlove always honest with his age? Did he turn down any advances (or restrain from making any himself) before he was 18?

Finally, if it comes down to this... what would either of them say under oath?

I know someone who used to work for Sho. I still think Adams was the better choice, lying about his personal life or not.

Skep...you hit a new low.

Nope. I'm making a point. Nobody needs to know who Mr. Adams had sex with anymore than we need to know who you had sex with.


Can anybody tell me exactly what events lead to Mr. Adams being questioned about his sex life in the first place?

press allegations about an improper relationship with an UNDERAGE youth he was mentoring.

maybe on the city trucks it should say "The city that blows" Hell who would not want to have sex with a kid right Sam.

Wow ... sounds creepingly like the Jim West witch-hunt that happened up here in Spokane ...

IF he is guilty of having consenting sex with someone of age (18), even though yes, he asked the guy to lie about it ... whether he should be removed from office is iffy. It's definitely immoral and shady, but not illegal. Really, not much different than Bill Clinton with Monica Lewinsky; immoral, not illegal.

If he WAS under 18, he needs to be skinned alive.

I was talking with a good friend last night who called me, I had no idea that this happened so he filled me in. He said that if, say a teenage boy is approached by an attractive woman about sex, and they did it, a lot of guys out there would think, "Hey, check out that lucky kid!!" and would pretty much enable it. If the tables were turned and it was a teenage girl and an adult man made a pass, or even LOOKED at her wrong, he'd be crucified.

Quite the double standard, and he's right.

Creepy story!

BrianL is so right. But the same thing with the double standard also applies to same sex relationships/encounters as well. Only the woman seducing the minor male is it acceptable as a whole to society in general.

Of course, if the kid was 18 at the time, it's creepy but not illegal, so otherwise a moot point.

I agree with Tdanner, well put.

I don't live in Portland so he's not my mayor, but I wouldn't believe another word that comes out of his mouth. Rather than lie about it, he should have said it's none of anyone's business and cease discussing it all together. But instead, he had to come up with an elaborate lie. You would think these people would know better after what Clinton went through! The truth will always come out whether you want it to or not.

Yes, reminds me somewhat of the Spokane scandal, but not really the exact same situation. But it is unfortunate, the timing is just awful.

People's sex life should be private, but when you are a public figure you are held to a higher standard, fair or not. Image means much.

I feel sorry for the Mayor and for our community.

Adams claimed that if he had told the truth at first, no one would have believed him (that the kid was 18 at the time). And had he simply said "none of your business" the rumors of a tryst with a 17 year old would have persisted and maybe overwhelmed anything else.

Adams used terrible judgment in getting sexually involved with a man he had even known at age 17, knowing it could easily create the appearance of an inappropriate relationship. But I don't see how that disqualifies him to be Mayor. America has a long history of having good leaders who make terrible choices in their personal lives.

>>The truth will always come out whether you want it to or not

>>I feel sorry for the Mayor and for our community

AMEN!!!

>>But I don't see how that disqualifies him to be Mayor

Integrity...honesty...truth...uprightness...virtue...right-choices...all foundations of great leadership. Sorry the mayor of Portland fell short...waiting to see his explaination later today.

Shyguy: On what planet is a woman seducing a minor male considered "acceptable to the society in general."??????? That's pure bullcrap. First of all, it's extremely rare because women almost universally think with their brain rather than their sex organs. And on the occasions when it does happen, it is almost universally denounced. Write out a list of the 20 or 25 biggest political sex scandals in the past 50 years and tell me how many involve an older woman and an underage male.

This has absolutely nothing to do with a double standard. Sexual hubris in politics is an almost exclusively male club. (And one most women have no desire or interest in integrating!)

society in general meaning males do in fact have this attitude: BrianL hit when he said:

"Hey, check out that lucky kid!!"

That is the acceptence in todays society! Any other situation and those same males would and are appalled but not in this scenario.

>>"Hey, check out that lucky kid!!"

That is the acceptence in todays society!

No it's not and should not ever be so.

Your right in that it should never be so but unfortunately that IS the way it is in our society today.

"Society in general meaning males"

So not only are you a complete idiot but you are also a chauvinist neanderthal!!!!!!!

You shouldn't be allowed out of your cage into civilized society.

Tdanner, are saying that there is no double standard among straight males in a case like the example given by Brian and Shyguy?

Because I think that's all that's being noted; The fact that there is a double standard. I don't read any kind of approval in anyone's posts.

And when you freak out as hard as you are because someone is noting that double standard, it makes me feel like maybe there are other things going on regarding this topic.

Now say you're sorry.

Portland's health as a city depends on its ability to survive economically. Its leader must be an ambassador to a nervous and hard-to-convince national and global business world, whose word and character are beyond reproach.

Adams appears not to have done anything illegal, but, like John Edwards, he has revealed himself to be less than what the electorate had hoped he would be. From this point on, anything he says will be suspect, because even though this particular lie concerned sex, he is, nonetheless, an admitted liar, and will be known as such in all of his dealings.

For the sake of the city, he should thoughtfully consider stepping aside--although, frankly, I don't see a credible successor on the current city council. The best local leader on our map currently heads up Multnomah County--one Ted Wheeler. Check him out on cable if you haven't seen him in action.

I suspect that most of us, when asked a blunt, direct question about our personal sex lives, would fall into two categories: "admitted liar" or "not electable."

Since I am not male, I do not know if there is a double standard. In my experience, many men tend to think far too much of the time with their little head, not their big one.

My reaction was one of outrage and disgust that someone could actually use a phrase like "society in general meaning males," as if the 53% of society in general which is female either didn't exist or didn't matter. Neaderthal.

Why on earth would I apologize for calling out such stupidity.

Apology accepted.

Jfk and Clinton were some of our best leaders. They had a "problem", but were great leaders. I think too many people focus on the wrong things. Like on leaders personal lives, not on the job they are doing in office.

This will be my only post over here, as I reveal that I did vote for Sam Adams.

I agree with Vitalogy and Broadway. If Sam was to be treated equally like Sho Dozono was treated, Sam should step down. Sho lost the election because he lied about his financial situation. Sam lied to us about this potentially problematic situation as well, and I am disappointed.

The fact he had sex with an intern is not concerning to me. The fact that he would not be truthful about it, is concerning to me. And to be consistent, like calling for Larry Craig, David Vitter, and Mark Foley to resign, I as well call for his resignation for not being forthcoming.

Plus, the fact that the Police Officer's Union has effectively told Adams that he's persona non grata kinda bolsters this issue, in my eyes.

Sam needs to do the honorable thing, and step down before more people get hurt by this.

Integrity...honesty...truth...uprightness...virtue...right-choices...

We didn't impeach or throw out DUHbya so how can you say that we should a Mayor of Portland,Oregon?

In my experience, many men tend to think far too much of the time with their little head, not their big one.


It's apparent that you have had some bad luck with men Danner! No offense, but It sounds like you have dated some real "dirt bags"

What you just stated was a stereotype Terry! Thats just like saying "all Blondes are dumb". Truth be told, not all guys think with their penis. Infact Im slightly offended that you would actually believe this stereotype.

I like to think with my big head, not my little head!

Korkfmadio: Sho lost the election because he lied about his financial situation.

Oh, I beg to differ on that. I think people simply liked Sam better than Sho as a mayor. Sam had already had experience in local government and had a reputation already; Sho was just a businessman who had a history of local charitable involvement. Often people do look at the person they want to see as mayor not so much the issues.

Perhaps Sho's financial situation hurt him slightly, but I'd hardly say it cost him the election. It wasn't that close at all.

Having a close friend who once worked for Sho and hearing the stories from my friend, I'm quite glad he was not elected mayor.

"No it's not and should not ever be so."

Broadway, you're right in that it SHOULD NOT be acceptable in today's society. It is a double standard (sorry Tdanner, I respectfully disagree) that should not be.

But, it IS THERE! You can't tell me that the kid that Mary Letorneau slept with (and is now married to) didn't get loads of praise from his peers. She was sentenced and served her time (not enough time, IMHO) and according to the courts, paid her dues to society ... mostly because she was a teacher. But, the double standard is there. If the student was a girl and the teacher a man, there's a good chance he wouldn't have survived prison, and his sentence would have been MUCH longer, with other ramifications beyond that. Scary Mary married her victim and they have a family now; do you think that would have been allowed vice versa?

As for the comparison I made to Jim West, it's the same in that it was a cover-up on the part of the mayor. The difference seems to be that Adams, when confronted with it, admitted to it. The Spokesman-Review here MADE it the news, by hiring someone to go "undercover" and hit on West and see what happened ... the S-R CREATED the news instead of REPORTING it. Picture the Oregonian doing the same thing there ... it of course would never happen; Portland is much more progressive.

>>Adams appears not to have done anything illegal

Legal or not where's the shame of his actions and a good share of Portlanders giving him a pass...crying shame.

By "giving him a pass," Broadway, you mean that we aren't demanding he resign? I'm not saying what he did was OK by any means. It makes me like him quite a bit less, actually. This is someone I helped in his campaign, after all, not just voted for. At the same time, I see it as a personal failing, not a disqualification from public office.

In your religion, Broadway, I thought you were supposed to be forgiving? You can't forgive a politician for making a mistake and lying, or do you insist that the punishment for sinning MUST be eviction from office?

I didn't say all...I didn't say most. I said many....if stereotypical, it was a mighty conditional one. And many many credible sociological studies informed my opinion on this.

However, past relationships have been generally dirtbag free. And I've spend my career in an extrordinarily male dominated industry, gathering some remarkable friends along the way.

But one of the joys of being an old fart is the ability to call out ridiculously chauvinist statements like "society in general meaning males."

>>Adams appears not to have done anything illegal

>>>Legal or not where's the shame of his actions and a good share of Portlanders giving him a pass...crying sham

Dammit, read the whole post, if you're able. I'm not defending him, I'm saying the guy needs to resign.

Another point: he seems to have given a job to a reporter who found out the truth, and gave him a pass. This deepens the wrong. It is not about sex, it's about credibility, and Sam squandered his.

It is not about sex, it's about credibility

No, its not. Its about sex, period.

Broadway is the FIRST to pass judgement on others when it comes to sex -- bar none.

May his God yank him home soon in order to preserve His reputation on this planet.


As for Sam Adams, he's set the bar higher now and will have to work that much harder to impress us all before next election day.

>>May his God yank him home soon

As an old song I use to spin "My life is in His hands".

>>will have to work that much harder to impress us

seen enough allready...needs to step down.

>>FIRST to pass judgement on others when it comes to sex

and lying about it...guess the 2 go together and repeats history...think you'd learn politician or family man...keep it in your pants and within marriage...did I say something horrible?..well yes...Sam would have to marry a woman.

You're a sex cop. Kenneth Starr has written a book just for you. You're a dirty little pervert and God is shaking his head in disgust at you once again.

The man upstairs will let me in Heaven long before he lets you in because He knows I didn't go around spending my life doing His job.

OK Broadway. I get it.

It's about credibility. Sam Adams lied through his teeth and asked the other guy to lie as well. If he's willing to lie about this to cover up any "appearance" of wrong doing, what else will he lie about?

If all was on the "up and up" then he had no reason to lie. It's not like it's a secret the guy is gay.

Personally, I don't care about what kind of sex he has. In fact, even if the kid was 17 years and 10 months and they did have sex, I wouldn't care as long as it's consensual. What bothers me is that Sam Adams is nearly twice his age and in a position of power and should have known that having that kind of relationship is not only inappropriate, but risky in regards to being a public figure. If there was nothing illegal about what he did, what's his motivation for lying about it? What else is he lying about??

I'm tired of politicians lying like this. If he was employed in the private sector and deceived his employer like he's deceived his constituents, he'd be fired in a heartbeat.

Congrats Porltand voters, you elected a pedophile as Mayor.

>>I didn't go around spending my life doing His job.

well maybe should get on board and be where I'm at..."on a mission from God". Nothing wrong noting "wrong-ness"...ahhhh...sin...but Sam can be redeemed.

latest news front...

http://www.koinlocal6.com/content/news/breakingnews/story/Independent-investigat ion-into-Adams-demanded/VyoVrjTT_keq_n-253ty-Q.cspx

Yeah, the investigation is being called by Randy Leonard, a good friend of Adams's. Surely the purpose is to clear Adams of wrongdoing to try to save his job. Better a friend do it than someone unfriendly.

Adams submitted today to an extremely invasive interview by the Oregonian Editorial Board, which you can watch on video on OregonLive.com . I listened to some of it. Honestly, I found this a very inappropriate level of personal discussion. I don't think any current public official - especially a mayor or executive - should be discussing his personal sex life in such detail. It's embarrassing to listen to.

I know Adams is trying to be as candid as possible now, to try to save his job, but I almost feel he's digging the hole deeper. Better that he had left it as, "Hey, I lied to reporters about my personal life because I was accused of an illegal act I did not do. So sorry about that. No laws were broken. That's all I'm going to say about it, none of your business, let's move on."

Also...Adams made some reference to the fact that the kid was working for a Republican in Salem. Which raises the question: could Adams have been setup?

He's a politician -

- and you know how to tell if a politician's lying?...

..his/her lips move

Already The Oregonian poll...63% says resign...

What do you think Skep would say if Sam Adams was a Republican who lied about having sex with a minor of the same age?

Anyone remember what he said Larry Craig should do? Thats right, he said he should resign.

Apples and oranges again MC.

Larry Craig was soliciting sex in a PUBLIC PLACE. **THAT** is illegal.

Consensual sex with someone of age (if he was), is not illegal.

It'll be interesting how Sam spins this the next few days/weeks. The public and his colleagues are mostly saying step aside...to who now...who's next in line for Portland Mayor?

If the other person was of age, that's legal. Not something I would do or choose, but legal. Non issue then.

If they were not of age, Sam is cooked.

The lie is bad. It's very difficult to even consider tolerating lies. Sam is cooked.

It is important to sort out the of age bit. If that's true, then it's no longer a focus. Neither is the fact that it's gay sex. This is all about under age.

The focus then is for sure the lie. Not acceptable. It might also include under age sex. Also not acceptable.

No matter what, Sam is cooked. It's just a matter of how.

Mc74: What do you think Skep would say if Sam Adams was a Republican who lied about having sex with a minor of the same age?

I would want a Democrat or Republican who lied about having sex with a minor to resign. What does that have to do with Sam Adams having sex with an 18 year old guy?

I really hate that he might have to resign because I sincerely feel he would make an excellent mayor (at least in terms of understanding the needs of the city and how to best achieve success). But he used extremely poor judgment in lying to the public – and in such a grandiose way. He went before reporters at nearly every broadcast and print media outlet in Portland and told the same audacious lie over and over. I think it might be in his best interest, and that of the city, to resign and move forward. As embarrassing and painful as it will be for him, I think it would be the honorable thing to do under the circumstances.
If he doesn’t, he’s going to face a nasty recall at a time when the city of Portland can least afford it. The city needs a fulltime mayor focusing on the needs of city, not an embattled politician trying to save face. And I say this
as a liberal Democrat.

Let it be said this is not about sex; it’s about telling the truth. Had he told the truth, he wouldn’t be in this mess. Even the young man with whom he had the relationship asked Sam Adams to tell the truth when the issue surfaced and he chose not to do so. Sam Adams put this young man in a HORRIBLE position, asking him to lie on his behalf, and repeatedly so.

And liberals should not be giving him a pass on this. I find that more disturbing than anything else. If he were a conservative, most of us would be the first to seek the online tar and feather treatment (me included) among others things.

Footnote: I just read the Willamette Week story and I'm convinced now more than before that he should resign. Politicians time and again engage in these ridiculous cover-ups that end up bringing them down -- and this is no exception. Having the young man lie on his behalf and even coaching the young man (with the help of a campaign aide) on how to respond to media inquiries tells me that Sam Adams should step down.

I'm so disappointed with Sam. He's lost his credibility with me.

The fact that he is not the mayor of the city in which I live doesn't mean that this scandal has no effect on me. I know nobody said it didn't. But I wanted to say that once. The politics of Portland has an effect elsewhere. I didn't / couldn't vote for him, but I would have.

It's a matter of time before it becomes national news ( It may already be on network news - I haven't seen it. But that means nothing. There's other stuff going on in the nation right now, you know ). My initial hope would be that by the time anyone can get a hold of the story, it already has an ending; A new mayor was installed. It would contain the problem as best as can be expected. A long, drawn-out fight is hardly what we need. Losing his job over this is not, in my opinion, an over reaction. For me, it's a perfectly reasonable response and allows for relatively quick solutions and minimized damage.

People are very tired of being lied to their face. If the political climate had been different, maybe we'd be exploring alternatives. But on the day where we said we wanted change being realized on a national scale, turning a cheek to this one in our own backyard seems kinda wrong to me.

I've pondered this for the last couple of days. I was a Sam Adams supporter, I think he would make a really good Mayor for PDX. I'm very dissapointed in his lying about this issue. His credibility is basically shot. That is the only real issue here at the moment. This has nothing to do with sex or orientation for me. The issue is trust and the ability to govern effectively.

For the good of the city, he should resign.

One other thing to consider. If he doesn’t resign, the city is going to be focused on this mess for at least a year, perhaps longer. Even the Oregon Attorney General is launching an investigation. In a little less than six months, the process for recall can begin in earnest. But before it can begin, the media is going to make this an issue for months and we’re going to be reading and hearing all sorts of crap that would be tantamount to a political food fight that won’t reflect well on anyone. Plus it gives the gay haters every opportunity to make their stereotypically inappropriate remarks with impunity. Just read all the posts on various sites; it’s not very heartwarming to say the least.

If the kid was underage then he is done! Stick a fork in him.... For Portland as a city and Oregon as a state he should do the right thing and step down.
Maybe Sam and Larry Craig can go on the bathroom stall tour 09' after he quits?

Tal, you are totally right.

Personally, I don't care about what kind of sex he has. In fact, even if the kid was 17 years and 10 months and they did have sex, I wouldn't care as long as it's consensual.

So you don't mind a pedophiler as our mayor Vitalogy?? Thats basically what you're saying.
Even if it was Consensual sex, that still shows what type of Charector Sam Adams is.

GET SOMEONE YOUR OWN AGE! Even if Sam Adams is telling the truth and the kid actually is 18, it sounds like he is barely 18, and there is something really creepy about that!

A troubling part of it for me is SA was warned plenty of times by his staff to not see the guy. It's well documented that SA is a headstrong kind of guy, and to completely dismiss the better judgment of his staff makes me wonder if he'd listen to his advisors on other issues as well. We just got through 8 long years with a leader who called himself "the decider" and look where that got us. You gotta ask "Can the guy heed the advice of his advisors on bigger issues?" I think he would be a good mayor, but after all this his position within the structure of government has been severely weakened, particularly if he cannot win back the support of the commissioners. Without that support, there will be scant issues where he will get to be the city's decider.

Beano, don't be a rube.

I don't see Sam Adams as a "pedophile" even if the kid was 17 years and 10 months. Pedophiles prey on young kids, usually under 10 years of age. Sam Adams does not meet that definition.

While the legal age of consent is 18 years of age, we all know that there is no difference between a kid that is 17 years and 10 months and a kid that's 18 years and one day in regards to mental capacity when it comes to making decisions on who to have sex with. However, the legal line has to be drawn in the sand somewhere and that line is 18 years.

If you read my posts, you will see that I don't care that Sam Adams is gay. I don't even care about the fact that he's 42 and the kid was 18 (supposedly) or just slightly under 18. What bothers me is he showed bad judgment by engaging in a relationship of this sort as a public figure and then lied about it big time, and asked others to lie about it too.

I have a feeling that your problem with the whole deal is that Sam Adams is gay and you disapprove of his sexual orientation.

Listen, everyone knew he was gay when he ran for the job. That was not the story the paper had on him. Thats not what he was trying to lie about.

They knew and probably still do that he had sex with a 17 year old and up till the point they had a four hour meeting with him laying out the 16 month investigation they had on him, he lied and more then likely use his power to cover it up.

The Guy should go.

Leave it to MC to put it so succintly. I agree with every word.

Er, no one is claiming Adams had sex with the guy when he was 17.

RIGHT! !!!And Bill clinton claimed that he never had sexual affairs with Monica.

So you're saying politicians never lie Andrew????

What do you think Skep would say if Sam Adams was a Republican who lied about having sex with a minor of the same age?

I think I'd ask you to show me the evidence that Sam Adams the Republican had sex with someone under 18. In the meantime, post me a link to something that says Sam the Democrat had sex with a minor. Hmm?

That goes for you too, Beano. Show me evidence Sam Adams had sex with a minor. Or else, you're making things up aka spewing BS. Assuming things about Wyden and Blumenaur makes you a grade-A ASS donkey-style.

I didn't forget you Broadway, you're a selfish person using God to inflict your views on others. You'll be held accountable in Heaven. God will put me in charge of your redemption and I'll be abrasive, just like you are here.

OK, time to bring back Bud Clark and Vera Katz! They could be co-mayors. We could really use their help right about now!

Whoop, Whoop!

>>God will put me in charge of your redemption and I'll be abrasive

The meaning of my real name means "judged of God" and I'd rather be judged by a merciful, loving, all creator God than by any human...you know not what you are saying.

>>you're a selfish person using God to inflict your views

take it up directly with Him...talk/deal directly with God about your issues/concerns/beefs...He listens!

I think Sam Adams should resign – he lied and asked others to lie on his behalf on a matter that could have easily been handled by being honest. But in good conscience, I would not support a recall of the mayor. I would never align myself with those seeking to re-call Sam Adams because in this situation, the re-call effort would invariably be hijacked in part by those whose motives are largely disingenuous (i.e. evangelical Christians and conservative wing nuts and the like). Many in this re-call effort would simply want the mayor of Portland removed because he’s gay – not because of the lies he told. Again, he should resign. But a re-call would be nothing more than anti-gay hit job (at least by enough of the re-call supporters to make it impossible for me to support it).

First of all, none of us will decide if Sam Adams committed a crime. That's for a judge and jury to decide. Remember, we're in a country where the principle is "innocent until proven guilty."
I should also mention I stopped reading Willamette Week because I've seen some of the worst slants on the news in that paper, starting with about a year ago. IMO, too biased and too much commentary disguised as "news."
Sam admitted to doing something stupid. Let's let him make the choice as to whether he resigns or not.

I don't run things around here, but can everyone stop with the name-calling? In the words of an extremely good Business instructor at Portland Community College, "we all lie, cheat, and steal, we all have different morals." Nobody is more moral than anyone else, and we've probably all exercised bad judgment of one kind or another at some point in our lives (dunno how many other posts on other websites I've read that had a line like "...when kids were allowed to be kids...," or "I think the statute of limitations has run out...," indicating that they're admitting to something stupid as a youth and if they did it today they'd be prosecuted as an adult and be doing hard time, instead of contributing to society).

Newflyer: First of all, none of us will decide if Sam Adams committed a crime. That's for a judge and jury to decide. Remember, we're in a country where the principle is "innocent until proven guilty."

Judge and jury have nothing to do with it. Sam Adams has yet to be indicted for anything. He is being investigated by the Oregon Attorney General. Being investigated doesn't mean you've done anything wrong.

I still don't get why people think Sam Adams or any politician should be required to be honest about their personal sexual activities with consenting adults. He wasn't in a court or under oath when he lied. And he wasn't lying about a public matter.

People say, "It's not about sex, it's about the lying." But it IS about the sex, because people presume for some reason they have a right to know about Adams's sexual behavior. If you think you are obligated to know the truth about a person's private sexual behavior, that means you think you are obligated to KNOW about it. And I don't think you are.

Now, if some of the wild allegations about Adams having sex with the guy when he was 17 or that he engaged in any illegal act in trying to hide his relationship with an 18 year old guy turn out to be true, then of course he should resign. But that seems far from the case right now.

>>He wasn't in a court or under oath when he lied. And he wasn't lying about a public matter

In most jobs/employers...if you lie...your job is very much on the line...people...we've got to be honest with each other...to conduct civility...especially those in leadership over us. Again, my Mom said numerous times growing up..."your sins will find you out"...

you know not what you are saying

Really? Maybe its the other way around? Hmm? Maybe God talked to me and put me on a mission to silence people claiming to be "working for God."

Anyway, June first is the earliest a recall be be started. I think there are other things needing our immediate attention than someone's sex life.

Andrew, I think it is about the lying, and the cover up, but most importantly, his ability to lead and govern going forward. That's what is in question now.

I agree with you, the questions shouldn't have been asked, and it is none of our business. But they were asked. And he handled it very, very poorly. And, unfortunately, it has become a huge issue.

The whole thing is just very sad.

First of all, this is not about sex. It’s about telling the truth. I could care less that he slept with the young man (though I think he used very poor judgment – ask his staff; they told him to stay away from the young man – SA was playing with fire). I still don't understand why people think it's ok for a politician to give print and broadcast interviews to every media outlet in town that were bold faced lies. And I still don’t understand why people think it’s ok for a City Commissioner of Portland, Oregon to tell his young friend to lie to the media when all along the young man wanted Sam Adams to tell the truth. And I still don't understand why people think it's ok to have an Adams campaign consultant coach the young man on how to lie to the media. Plus I still don't understand why people think it's ok that Sam Adams would allow Randy Leonard to castigate an Adams political opponent when he knew full well that at least some of what the opponent said was true.

Had Sam Adams told the truth, he still would have won the election. Maybe not by the margin he did in May 2008, but enough still.

I was pleased as punch that Sam Adams won last year. And I still think he’s a good man. But I don’t want him as the mayor of Portland. Lying to the public, and in such a grandiose way, regardless of the reason is unacceptable. I take truth telling seriously, because if I didn’t, I’d be a hypocrite -- regardless of my political persuasion.

Coming to this conclusion has been very difficult for me because I really feel Sam Adams is perfectly suited for the job. I feel badly for him. Frankly, my heart goes out to him. It would be an awful position for anyone to be in. But the job of mayor is bigger than Sam Adams. Portland needs a mayor that is trustworthy. And with the revelations of earlier in the week, his trustworthiness is in serious question.

I'm not applauding Sam Adams for the way he has handled this thing or his own behavior. He should never have gotten sexually involved with an 18 year old he met at age 17. He should never have told anyone to lie about it.

But again, I don't think he has an obligation to be honest about his sex life. Such questions should be off limits by the media. If he is asked about a public works project, the public has a right to know - and he had damn well better be honest about it. Sex life should be off limits.

Plus, the original allegation, if I recall correctly, was that he'd had sex with a 17 year old. Any political opponent who makes such a false allegation without evidence shouldn't be treated with kid gloves in response, either. Not to say Sam Adams's way of handling it was the right way, either. There probably was no great way to handle that situation, but the way he chose was poor.

I do think an investigation is important now, if anything to clear Adams's name. If there really was unlawfulness, let it be known.

"There probably was no great way to handle that situation..."

Yes there was; he could have told the truth.

And you don't know the allegation is false. There hasn't been an investigation. I doubt he slept with him when he was 17, but given the lengths he went to lie about the situation in the first place, people do have a right to wonder. And that's Sam Adams' fault, not the media. He placed himself in that situation. Had he been honest and told the truth, we wouldn't be having this discussion. It's pretty cut and dry.

If he broke the law then prosecute him otherwise move along and face the fact that politician's lie, it's their job!

Let's break it down a little....

"pol-lie-tish-ian"

Talpdx: "There probably was no great way to handle that situation..."

Yes there was; he could have told the truth.

I believe the allegation about the 17 year old would have followed him around in that case and hurt him. There are already people on this very board who assume without evidence that Adams really did have sex with the guy at age 17.

And you don't know the allegation is false.

I assume innocent until proven guilty. Allegations without evidence should be given no merit. Let there be an investigation, but until that investigation shows evidence of lawbreaking, I assume Sam Adams is innocent of breaking any laws. And you should too.

Great points have been made in this thread, and this one in particular bears repeating: Elections may be won or lost, but they are never more important than the truth.

I know that Sam is relatively new to the area, but somebody along the way damn well should have told him about the tragic downfall of Michael Stoops. As most of us recall, he was an advocate for youth. He became ensnared in a media frenzy full of accusations and personal information. He was also gay. The same sort of newspaper burial that happened back in the '80s looks to be gaining enough traction to happen again.

Perhaps, Mr. Adams can take heart in the fact that Mr. Stoops has been able to put his past to rest. Michael is Acting Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless. A call to service can be derailed for a time by unwise decisions, unspeakable deeds, and an unmerciful press corps, but useful people who redeem themselves can find a way to share their gifts.

I hope Sam sees that the path ahead may not include enough power to abuse, but perhaps enough power to help make our city a better place to live. I wish him luck.

Andrew2: "I believe the allegation about the 17 year old would have followed him around in that case and hurt him."

Yes, it would have hurt him. I don’t think anyone would dispute that. But look at the mess his is in now. And it is of his own making, he’s admitted as much. Had he told the truth, as painful as that would have been, he would still have his credibility intact. But instead he lied and now, his credibility is in serious doubt. It’s time for him to resign and find a new path forward. It is a tragedy, a very real tragedy. But he’s young, smart and incredibly gifted. He’s not the first person to start over. He will find success in other venues. But as mayor, he broke the public trust.

It's possible that had he told the truth originally but doubts followed him anyway (about the 17 vs 18 thing), he may not have won the mayor's race. No one really knows of course, but these rumors can take on a life of their own.

What makes me heartsick about these sorts of scandals is that they reaffirm for political attack dogs the fact that they can always level false allegations against opponents who have private quirks. The attacks WORK, as long as the public continues to believe questions about people's private sex lives are legitimate. And that will discourage some talented people with less-than-perfect private lives from running for public office.

The reason Sam Adams lied is that he knew that people would not be impressed with a 42 year old dating an 18 year old, considering they met when he was 17. I don't think it would matter whether he was gay or straight. A 42 year old has nothing in common with an 18 year old and it's terrible judgment to even go there, much less come up with an elaborate lie to cover it up.

Andrew, you know you're one of my favorite people here. But,I think in this case you are focusing too much on the wrong thing.

The attack (original allegation during the election) probably would NOT have worked IF Sam had admitted then what he is admitting now. I truly feel that he would have been elected in spite of that. In fact, being up front about it might have enhanced his appeal to some.

Here's something to throw into the mix . . . Steve Duin has asked Sam Adams to hold off resigning.

Sam Adams would have been elected, cleanly, if he had been forthcoming when asked. It would have also given him some kudo points, moreso than he already had.

There are two major things that have to be considered in this: 1) He personally destroyed a city employee's reputation and forced him out of his job. That, right there, is a civil liability. And 2) It is alleged that he hired Amy Ruiz in order to shut her up about the story. That is a problem of ethics, using a job as a bribe.

Because of those two things that are shadowing him on this, and because the reputation of Portland is at stake, Sam Adams needs to resign.

Andrew, you're a great guy...but you're focusing on the sex, and not the degree that Sam went to in order to try and keep the story from not breaking. That is where Sam got into the most trouble, and has now opened himself up to major legal problems totally unassociated with the initial act of dating an intern.

Korkfmadio, Adams is being investigated by the Oregon Attorney General's office. If Adams broke any laws, that investigation will tell us. It's really pointless for citizens of Portland to speculate about what laws Adams may or may not have broken, without objective evidence.

And if that investigation produces indictments against Adams, then yes, he should resign. But if it exonerates him from some of the wilder charges against him, he should certainly stay. Honestly, many people are making their mind up about Adams based on what are now unfounded allegations and rumor, not facts. Let's wait for the facts.

based on what are now unfounded allegations and rumor, not facts. Let's wait for the facts.

He lied. He admits lying. He no longer can be trusted. Period.

He should resign.

That being said, I don't live in Portland so I really don't give a rat's patootie.

As I once saw on a bumper sticker; I used to disgusted, now I'm just amused.

Bush lied. Why didn't you call for him to resign?

As much as I think Sam Adams should resign, I’m struck by those f*cking evangelical religious bigots protesting at Portland City Hall. I knew they would be the ones screaming the loudest. And of course, they’re looking for any reason to make Sam Adams' orientation an issue. That’s why I could never support a re-call; those dimwits would be leading the re-call effort. I in no way would ever want to be associated with those freaks. What a circus.

I don't think a law has to be broken in order for Sam Adams to have a reason to resign. He broke the public trust in him and no longer has any credibility. Beyond the lie and cover up, his judgment must also be considered to be questionable to enter into the relationship he did, whether there was a law broken or not.

his judgment must also be considered to be questionable to enter into the relationship he did, whether there was a law broken or not.

Why don't you list all the "questionable" critera that people must disclose.

Also, specify the EXACT cutoff age one can have an unquestionable relationship with a younger person. Hmm.

Legislating morality aren't you? hmm.

I usually post on the radio side of this board but wanted to add my thoughts to this discussion.

I do not live in Portland so I was not able to vote in the mayoral race and don't feel I should ask Sam Adams to resign or stay as Mayor since I don't live in the city any longer. It irks me, though, that the pictures of the protesters in the Oregonian are from Tigard, Tualatin, Gresham, etc. I know what happens in Portland impacts the metro area, but I'm not sure these people should be protesting and calling for Adams head. Am I wrong for being irked by this?

As for the actual situation, I have mixed feelings. From a qualification standpoint, I feel like Adams is and was the best candidate for mayor. I live in the metro area and feel like he brings a skill set to office that can be good for the whole area.

With the regards to Adams and the 18-year old, I'm disappointed at the lengths he went to cover it up and that he asked the guy to lie. If Adams survives this and eventually runs for Governor, which I think many people thought he would do at one time, I think the way he approached this situation would make me not vote for him as Governor. I might be wrong and might change my mind if this ever happens, but I don't like the way he tried to cover this up.

Thanks for letting me chime in.

Thanks for it too!

(you are always welcome here)

For me it's the lie, period. The manipulation didn't help any either. Just as bad.

I don't think the legal sex affairs of people is something we should focus too much on. The right thing to do would have been to state that It was legal and their business (which it is).

The lie is the primary deal for me. I don't like the age span, nor the hints at activity before 18. Don't like it one bit, but if it really wasn't sex before 18, then it's just legal and in very bad form. That's all.

Like KSKD, my big issue is with the ethics and the civil liability. Adams has effectively opened himself up to slander charges. And because of his admission, he has a greater than average chance of losing that civil suit.

Also, the appearance of impropriety (whether there was any or not) in the case of hiring Amy Ruiz has tainted the decision, and causes quite a bit of an ethical quandary (despite any reason why she was hired.)

Take these two things in total, and you have major league damage to the Portland city image. This is why I want him to remove himself from office. He may have been the "leader everyone was looking for", but he showed to us that he cannot lead anymore, and that he will be second guessed by everyone underneath him for the entirety of his term as mayor and police commissioner.

We'll have to see what happens when we find out what his e-mails have said, as he has delivered both his public and private accounts to Willamette Week and The Oregonian.

From all I can see, Sam is looking like he's checking out.

Who do you suggest we pick to takeover the mayor's slot? Certainly not Sho who did a few "questionable" things himself, not to mention doesn't have the qualifications to lead Portland through this economic crunch. At least Adams knows whose arms to twist to get the city what it needs.

Face it, Adams is the most qualifed at this point in time. I don't think Portland's reputation is damaged at all. Standards for "bad reputation" has sunk to an all time low with the emergence Palin, so that's the least of our concerns.

If he does quit, are we looking at Randy Leonard then? Hmm. If he's it then Sizer might be gone causing a rukus in the cop shop.

Well, I may not like Sam Adams the Person, BUT I do like the Sam Adams Beer. Very smooth, goes down easy, crisp and very refreshing.

Depends. One has a beer line and the other has a line of beer.

Get it?

edit: Hey, no fair changing your post, but my comment is still funny.

Interesting quotes from the New York Times today . . .

Christopher Stowell, the artistic director for the Oregon Ballet Theater, said that while he and others were upset with Mr. Adams, letting him resign would let him off too easily.

“Instead of allowing him, I think we should force him to do the job,” Mr. Stowell said. . . .


“Sam’s private life is Sam’s private life,” said Charles Hinkle, a lawyer who has specialized in First Amendment issues . . . “People lie,” Mr. Hinkle said. “I have lied. You have lied.”


Mr. Saltzman cited the need for leadership as the city seeks federal help to pay for stimulus projects during the economic downturn. Mr. Saltzman said he wanted to see the matter investigated but, “in the meantime, there are very important issues to tackle, and we need Sam Adams.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/24/us/24portland.html

Adams has gone AWOL. Has not shown up for work and doesnt answer the door when reporters go knocking on his door.

I think his time is up. He has to go so the city can get back to work.

Who do I suggest take over the office of mayor?

I suggest giving Dan Saltzman the interim mayor position for 6-9 months, then have a special election to put someone else in.

I personally think that Chip Shields would be a better pick than anyone. Someone I could support.

And Mc74 is correct. His time is up.

Adams should not resign. Let the Attorney General's investigation clear him - assuming it does - and ride it out. The public has a short memory. In a few months most will have forgotten this unfortunate incident.

For now, the scandal is being constantly flogged by the media, so it's in the public eye. Media interest will fade eventually.

Andrew, I hate to say it, but it's people like you who give liberals like me a really bad name.

And for that, you really should be ashamed.

Well, I'm sorry I'm not a liberal, but people like you (who think people shouldn't be allowed to have and express their own opinions, I take it) give liberals a bad name, if you claim to be one. I don't need people like you telling me I should be "ashamed" to think for myself.

Now go march in lockstep with some other like-minded sheep why don't you?

Kork, I DON'T hate to tell you that people like you give humans a bad name, let alone liberals. Go down and protest in front of city hall instead of taking potshots at people here? Hmm?

This just in . . .

Boyd said an "overwhelming pool of evidence" pointed to an "inappropriate, consensual sexual relationship" that "went on for a long period of time ... it wasn't a one-time act." Boyd said the man was in his early 20s at the time. He said he was certain the man was of legal age when it began.

Nope, this has nothing to do with Sam Adams. Read on:

Disgraced evangelical leader Ted Haggard's former church disclosed Friday that the gay sex scandal that caused his downfall extends to a young male church volunteer who reported having a sexual relationship with Haggard _ a revelation that comes as Haggard tries to repair his public image.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/24/ted-haggard-new-gay-sex-a_n_160619.html

One is a hypocrite and the other is just horny. C'mon people, sex is normal and doesn't belong on the front pages.

Once when I was working at one of the religious stations in town. I talked with a person whos ministrie was to "freeing people from being gay" I asked them what there biggest challange was. They replied. "Relaps" hummmm....Whats wrong with this picture.

LOL!!!

That's funny! (well, not to those suckers who bought into that self-denial torture)

I wonder if there is a double meaning when Rev. Ted yells. Get thou behind me Saten.

This from the today's Sunday Oregonian:

“Beau Breedlove, now 21, told The Oregonian on Saturday that Adams kissed him on the lips on two occasions before he turned 18 -- once in Adams' car and the other in the second-floor men's room in City Hall after a party that Adams, then a city commissioner, had in his office”.

This is the nail in the coffin. You can't whitewash this. Sam should resign. No amount of dancing on the head of a pin is going to change the fact that he crossed a line and during his entire press conference where he "allegedly" came clean, he omitted this very important point. 40 something year old men DO NOT kiss 17 year old boys, period.

I was pissed about the lying -- now I'm pissed that Sam Adams lied about the kissing. He royally screwed up. He should have known better.

I just read that front page article too. Sam is cooked.

Andrew and Skeptical: Do you think Sam still shouldn't resign?

I think he should not resign.

So you're okay with a 42 year old man making sexual advances and kissing a 17 year old? Twice? That's skating on very thin ice in regards to the law.

Not only does Sam Adams show terrible judgment by kissing a 17 year old, it appears he has been caught yet again being less than truthful. If he doesn't resign, I hope he's recalled. He doesn't deserve to be mayor.

I cannot believe the people of Portland would want a serial liar as their mayor. He lies in the campaign and when he made his big mea culpa last week, he continues to lie. When asked by the Oregonian about whether he kissed the “kid”, he comes up with some cock and bull story about kissing his friends hello and goodbye. But a one minute long kiss? A one minute long kiss? It’s creepy -- pervert creepy. If he were a teacher, he’d be handed his ass on a sling and possibly a jail cell. Astounding.

My main question for those who say "He waited til he was 18..."(if that is indeed true)is... Do you have a problem with S.A. grooming this young man in whatever form he did before he was 18? Because from what I am seeing here, you don't have a problem with that. I believe that S.A. was the best person to lead Portland. After this I just don't see it.

Again, I repeat what I've said above: I don't think it's "OK" the way Sam Adams behaved, but unless the Oregon Attorney General's office finds something to indict him on, Adams has broken no laws. It's disgusting what he's done, but it's also part of his personal life, nothing to do with his job as Mayor of Portland.

So I still don't think he should resign. Please don't confuse that with condoning his personal behavior, which I still see as none of my business.

You know, if the personal, private, sexual behavior of all of our public officials were blared across the media the way Adams's has been, you'd want half of them to resign, too.

If any of those elected officials are making out with kids, then yes, I would want them to resign too. Plus getting some much needed psychiatric help and jail.

Nope, Sam should not resign. We need to butt out of sex lives, that includes Ted Haggard's as well. The only time we need to know is if there is an arrest for underage sex. Otherwise, keep your eyes out of my pants, hmm?

IMO, we've some Kenneth Starrs here playing sex cop.

Sam will not be resigning.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/01/adams_says_hell_return_to_w ork.html

I've stayed out of this one (other than one post) because I don't live in Portland.

However, I think most have lost sight of the fact that it's not about him kissing some kid or porking him in the butt or a sex scandal.

The big issue is that he LIED, twice, to the public and reporters.

He's lost the public trust. He'll no longer be effective. He needs to put the best interest of Portland ahead of his own and step down.

Although like I said in my other post I don't really care since I don't live there.

I'm being serious here: If he doesn't resign, I hope he finds a good psychologist and/or treatment program and gets some serious help. With treatment for his personality disorders, this should temper the mayor’s need to engage in sexually inappropriate conduct with minors and other anti-social behaviors, like lying. Then during the re-call effort, he can release the details of his therapeutic experience with the voters. That will ensure he’s been treated and is in good stead to run the city. Seriously, if he doesn’t get help for this, he’s going to continue doing it.

But I am curious, given the accusations of misconduct by the mayor are that of a sexual nature, does that mean he’ll be banned for city schools until the AG’s investigation is over?

And the point I've mentioned repeatedly above, Bill, is that someone's personal sex life should be private and none of your business. People do lie about sex - all the time. I don't think Adams had an obligation to be honest about his private sexual life, because I don't think he even has a right to be asked about it, if it involves consenting adults. But, people here do seem to feel it's OK for public officials to have to answer questions about their personal lives. I don't.

On the other hand, if the Attorney General's office finds criminal conduct and grounds for indictment on some matter, that would be a different story. Until then, I assume innocent until proven guilty.

And none of that has anything to do with my personal opinion of the guy. I make a distinction between my personal opinion of someone and his/her fitness for public office.

The best thing that can come out him staying is that he'll be contrite and learn from it and become a legendary Mayor.

In fact, I hope he's SO good at his job that he makes me ever regret that I wanted him to resign.

The dynamics at play for all of this I find to be very interesting. Maybe he'll be some political equivalent to the prodigal son and make Portland a really great city. Any burden to do that was already in place with great challenges. Any extra burden to keep his nose clean he brought on himself and he's now going to be shackled with it. So be it. If he is as great as his supporters claim he is / will be, then he'll have no excuses available should he fall short.

Byron Beck has been vocal in his support ( I heard him on Emerson and was pretty irked by the way he tried to make his case for why Adams should be encouraged to stay - long story and unimportant to explain why it bothered me ) but his point was not lost on me. So if I am to believe that he's going to be a GREAT Mayor, I hope I do not hear any excuses about this " scandal " as a reason why he didn't succeed. If he's so great, then he should be able to weather this self-created storm.

Good luck, Sam Adams.

Sincerely.

He's lost the public trust. He'll no longer be effective. He needs to put the best interest of Portland ahead of his own and step down.

Wrong. He's lost YOUR trust. Only YOU think he'll be no longer effective. The best interest of Portland would be to keep him.

This is why your playing sex cop is a bad idea. Adams didn't f-up the city running business, He only f-up YOUR peering into his pants and making judgments about what he said is going on down there. Big difference. Have you checked into what Royce Pollard has going on down in his pants? If there is just an inkling of hanky panky, he needs to get dumped for the greater good of Vancouver.


On the upside to this matter as CJ alluded to, Adams now has extra incentive to be the very best mayor ever.

I'm appalled at the fact that some people here seem to have no trouble with a 42 year old making sexual advances and kissing a 17 year old when he knew the kid was 17. He did it twice. Then he lied about it, big time, in order to win an election.

Sam Adams, no matter how talented, does not have the judgment to be mayor. He does not have any credibility, and he'd better hope he's not arrested for contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor. If Sam Adams was a Republican, some people who are currently defending him would be calling for his head.

If he doesn't resign, I hope he's recalled.

Vitalogy: I'm appalled at the fact that some people here seem to have no trouble with a 42 year old making sexual advances and kissing a 17 year old when he knew the kid was 17.

And who here has said they have "no trouble" with such a thing?

Trying to paint people who disagree with you as prudish sex Nazi’s is bullshit. What’s absurd is people trying to make excuses for a grown man who kisses a kid in a Portland City Hall bathroom (not to mention the other act of alleged sexual misconduct) as an invasion of his privacy. You want to embrace a pervert as mayor of Portland, be my guest. Whether you want to believe it or not, people (both liberal and conservative, gay and straight)take grown men having inappropriate sexual contact with a minor as a serious character flaw. And that has nothing to do with being a prude. You might not mind adult men making out with your teenage relatives, but I would find it appalling – and would call the appropriate authorities immediately.

Sex scandal cheat sheet



“America’s Top 10 Political Sex Scandals.”

Scandal #10: George W. Bush

While many are aware of Bush’s dubious participation in the National Guard and his alcohol and cocaine problems, little attention has been paid to the alleged sex scandals that took place while he was Texas governor. He has been the subject of two sex scandals that were successfully dismissed as crank complaints, effectively sweeping them under the proverbial rug. The first involved a criminal complaint and lawsuit of rape by Margie Schoedinger that took place in 2000 and who later allegedly committed suicide; the second was an accusation by Tammy Phillips, a former stripper, of having an affair with Bush that ended in 1999 and she later disappeared.


#9: Helen Chenoweth

Chenoweth, a conservative Republican congresswoman from Idaho, admitted in 1995 to a six-year affair with a married associate; she claimed her case was different from Clinton’s indiscretions in that she was, at the time, single and had received a pardon from a higher authority: "I've asked for God's forgiveness, and I've received it." She’s appears to be the only woman national-political office holder to have been caught-up in a sex scandal.

#8: Clarence Thomas

When nominated for the Supreme Court in 1981, a FBI report was leaked concerning Thomas’ alleged sexual harassment of Anita Hill, a former colleague at DOE and EEOC, that nearly sunk his appointment. Before a national TV audience, Senator Orrin Hatch's questions revealed national politics as the soap opera it really is: "[D]id you ever say in words or substance something like there is a pubic hair in my Coke?" and "Did you ever use the term Long Dong Silver in conversation with Professor Hill?" Failing to substantiate Hills’ claims, Thomas was confirmed by the Senate with a 52-48 vote, the closest confirmation vote for a Justice in the 20th century.

#7: Strom Thurmond

As a lustful lad, Thurmond had sexual liaision with his family’s African-American maid, Carrie Butler. One unanswered question is whether Ms. Butler was a consenting partner or the victim of rape; another is her age at the time of sexual engagement, whether she was 15 or 16 years and, thus, whether the future senator and committed racist was guilty of violating age-of-consent laws and, therefore, a pedophile. This part of Thurmond’s pasts only became public when the daughter of his ill-fated liaison, Essie Mae Washington-Williams, revealed it; further complicating Thurmond’s darker past is the revelation that, genetically, he and the Rev. Al Sharpton share the same family line.

#6: James Buchanan

Buchanan appears to be America’s only gay president. While homosexuality was a far different phenomenon in the 19th century then it is today, Buchanan lived for many years with William Rufus King, an Alabama Senator. The two men were considered inseparable and were the butt of much mockery. Andrew Jackson dubbed King "Miss Nancy" and Aaron Brown, a prominent Democrat, writing to Mrs. James K. Polk, referred to him as Buchanan's "better half," "his wife" and "Aunt Fancy . . . rigged out in her best clothes." The only question for his contemporaries was whether Buchanan’s infatuation with King rose to the level of a scandal.

#5: John F. Kennedy

Kennedy’s affairs with Marilyn Monroe and Angie Dickinson; Inga Arvad, a Danish journalist; the stripper, Blaze Starr; Judith Exner Campbell, mistress to mob boss Sam Giancana; and White House secretaries Priscilla Weir and Jill Cowan, who were referred to as “Fiddle” and “Faddle,” have moved from scandal to presidential lore. Like the affairs of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (with Lucy Page Mercer, Marguerite Alice LeHand and Crown Princess Marta of Norway) and Dwight D. Eisenhower (with Kay Summersby), Kennedy’s extramarital liasions were effectively surpressed.

#4: Arthur Brown

Brown was one of Utah's first Senators, elected when the state joined the union. He was shot and killed in Washington, DC, by his mistress for many years, Anna Maddison Bradley, for failing in his promise to leave his wife and marry her. After securing a divorce and making a financial settlement, Brown returned to Utah and, to Bradley’s chagrin, claimed to have made a full reconciliation with is wife. Bradley, three months pregnant with a second child she insisted Brown had fathered, could take no more of his lies.

#3: Alexander Hamilton

While serving as secretary of the treasury, Hamilton was living in Philadelphia with his wife, Elizabeth, and children. He was approached by a young damsel in distress, Maria Reynolds, and got involved in a two year sexual liaison that turned into a blackmail scheme. Reynolds, in collusion with her husband, James, shook down Hamilton for an estimated $1,000 to continue their affair. However, James Reynolds sought support from some of Hamilton’s political enemies by suggesting that Hamilton was providing him with insider information about government finances. When challenged, Hamilton showed intimate letters with the Reynolds that cleared his name regarding insider trading, but only made his role in the adulterous affair more pathetic.

#2: Warren G. Harding

Harding is reported to have had an affair for fifteen year with Carrie Fulton Phillips, the wife of a friend. As president, he had a relationship with Nan Britton, thirty years his junior. She insisted that they had sexual liaisons in the White House and later wrote: … [H]e introduced me to one place [in the White House] where, he said, he thought we might share kisses in safety. This was a small closet in the anteroom, evidently a place for hats and coats, but entirely empty most of the times we used it, for we repaired there many times in the course of my visits to the White House. …” She concludes her intimate reflection with remarkable candor, “… and in the darkness of a space not more than five feet square the President of the United States and his adoring sweetheart made love.” Their adulterous affair culminated with the birth of an illegitimate daughter, Elizabeth Ann. When Harding died unexpectedly in 1923 from ptomaine poisoning, rumor circulated widely at the time that his wife, Florence, poisoned him.

#1: Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson’s relation with Sally Hemings, the African-American slave who was his wife’s half-sister (they had the same father) and with whom he had six children, makes this America’s most scandalous sex scandal. As a bachelor, he was accused of attempting to seduce his close friend John Walker’s wife, Betsy, and, after his wife Martha died, he apparently had an affair in Paris with Mrs. Maria Cosway. However, according to Sally Hemings’ son, Madison, she served Jefferson at Monticello as chambermaid, seamstress, nursemaid-companion and, later, lady’s maid to his daughters; he referred to his mother as “Jefferson’s concubine.” Four of the children that Hemings had with Jefferson survived to adulthood, two females and two males – all appeared to be white in complexion and Jefferson set them all free.

We all have our favorite Top 10 Sex Scandals, but looking back from the vantage point of 21st century morality, one can well appreciate what the fear of public exposure has on politicians. Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky serves as much as a warning for those challenging Christian conservative hypocrisy as an indicator of the barbarity inherent to partisan politics. And it says as much about the ability of those with powerful political connections, like George Bush, to suppress questionable behavior, whether involving sex, drugs or military service.

I for one am glad that Sam is staying. I was at the support rally on Friday night, and the sign I received from one of the organizers is in my front window. I'm almost nobody (other than a Portland resident and voter), but he still has my unqualified support.

If I were an Oregonian subscriber, I would cancel my subscription immediately, to stop giving money to those bozos. Their reporting on the issue has been slanted and things have obviously been worded in such a way as to make the situation seem worse than it is. BTW, I like one of the comments on the Tribune's site, where someone wrote something along the line of 'oh no, they kissed in the bathroom, what next, is holding hands illegal?'

Further personal opinion... if one who complains lives in a suburb such as (but not limited to) Gresham, Beaverton, Tigard, Lake O., or Vancouver and moved because they "wanted to get away from Portland," please sit down and pipe down now. If they left Portland because they didn't want to have anything to do with the politics, than why are they trying to be involved with them in this manner now?!

One thing I do know I would like out of all of this... a business directory of every place that thinks Adams should have been "forced" to resign. I would make sure that none of them received another red cent of my business.

I'm fully convinced that the witch hunt has nothing to do with the actual issue, that it's because he has an alternative lifestyle and his agenda doesn't involve "conservative free-market economics." My guess is that if the mayor were heterosexual, were trying to build a 20-lane bridge between Portland and Vancouver without any mass transit provisions, wanted to shut down TriMet because they thought cars are better, wanted to eliminate every business fee and code section while quadrupling residential service rates, and ran on a campaign to force everyone in city government to have their hours cut to no more than 30 hours a week at minimum wage with open availability, then people would be saying "this is a smear campaign against someone who's trying to run the city like a business."

Talpdx: You want to embrace a pervert as mayor of Portland, be my guest.

Gee, what would make us paint you as "prudish" when you used labels like "pervert" to describe people?

You might not mind adult men making out with your teenage relatives, but I would find it appalling � and would call the appropriate authorities immediately.

I don't know if this thing is on or not. How many times do I have to repeat this? I DO NOT think Sam Adam's behavior was "OK" or appropriate. I simply separate it from his conduct as mayor and don't think he should resign over this. I've "divorced" friends for less egregious personal behavior than Adams has engaged in. But Adams is not my friend, he's my mayor; and as a mayor, I care about how he conducts himself in office, not what he does in his personal life.

Some people can separate public life from private life. Some can't. Let's just agree to disagree, OK?

Gee Andrew, if he's screwing around with a 17 year old kid, then he's a pervert. You may not find adults having sexual conduct with kids as a perversion, but I do. What would you call it, a lapse in judgment to be readily forgiven if politically expedient?

For the last frickin' time, the guy was 18 before they had sex. If kissing is "sexual conduct" then Adams will be indicted by the Attorney General. Highly doubt that's going to happen.

"Pervert" is a label I reserve for pedophiles who go after 8 year olds. That's a crime against nature - hardly the same thing as kissing a 17 year old who is about to turn 18.

He was 17 when they had sexual contact (on two separate occasions). You can parse it any way you want, it’s still sexual contact. He may not be a pedophile, but in court of public opinion – and that includes many people indeed, he violated the law. He may never be indicted, but that won’t change the fact that he screwed around with a kid – no matter how close to 18 he was at the time. Would you want to be know as the mayor who likes kids?

Andrew...how would you feel about Sam if Breedlove was your 17 year old son at the time? Wouldn't mind a bit that a 42 year old guy shows up at your son's 18th birthday?

You think he violated the law.

If the AG agrees, he will see an indictment gets done, and a court will render judgment.

I still don't like the lie and manipulation. Personally, I think it's really bad form all the way around too. This whole thing is a mess! Jesus, it's like red meat for the anti-gay crowd. Couldn't have teed it up any better for them.

Kind of like how CJ put it. Now he's got every reason in the world to be a kick ass Mayor.

So, I'll go with that.

There had better not be even ONE civic related lie though. Not one.

Good luck Sam. You set the bar awful high. Now go work for it.

Bookemdono: Andrew...how would you feel about Sam if Breedlove was your 17 year old son at the time? Wouldn't mind a bit that a 42 year old guy shows up at your son's 18th birthday?

I have answered this same type of question repeatedly in this thread and this is the last time I'll answer it: I separate the man's personal conduct from his conduct as mayor. How I feel about his personal conduct has nothing to do with whether he ought to be a public servant or not or resign as mayor. For some reason, some of you can't seem to understand that just because I don't think he should resign as mayor doesn't mean I approve of his behavior! Is that really so hard to understand?

What made Adams think this would not come out to the public? Clearly, his staffers had concerns yet he ignored those concerns. In the end, it was not the press that brought this item out, it was another candidate. Portland's a small town - yes town not city. Whether he remains as mayor or not, I'm just surprised that he thought this would never come out?

With regards to my last post, I could care less that he had the hots for a young guy. Unfortunately, the reality is that his staff was concerned because they had fears of what other might think. That's why I was shocked that he was okay hitting on someone that young.

I have a basic belief that if someone doesn't have the judgment to avoid such a relationship, then that person doesn't have the judgment to manage a city. Kissing a 17 year old? I classify that as sexual deviancy. If Adams was heterosexual and did this to a 17 year old woman, he'd be in jail. Just goes to show the double standards that exist.

Portland is an interesting place full of contradictions. We take pride when we use "diversity" and "open-mindedness" and a host of other flowery words to describe our hometown. For years, our road to hell has been paved with good intentions. In our rush to foster progressive ideals, we sometimes neglect to focus on concrete qualifications for the position, or conflicts of interest, or a record of transparency, or a history of sound judgment, or the promise of good policy. We continue to find ourselves people in charge who were elected or selected for their identity politics. We also like to apply a double standard when it comes to their public and private behavior.

How about the first female police chief in the nation? Wasn't it just swell to see Penny Harrington on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson? Forget the fact that members of her department left dead raccoons on the front steps of black owned businesses. Forget the fact that they proudly donned "Don't Choke 'Em, Smoke 'Em" tee-shirts after the senseless death of a minority in custody. Forget the fact that internal investigations consisted of a bucket of whitewash and a nice wide brush. Forget the fact that they were far from proactive in arresting and prosecuting a rising tide of violent white supremacists. After all, we have a "minority" in charge of the force, so the police must be sensitive to "minorities" -- right?

Sam Adams likes to refer to Vera Katz as his "mentor" and is proud of his work in her administration. I am sure there are plenty of voters who were drawn to his candidacy because they felt she was a great mayor. The fact that she was instrumental in driving gentrification and corporate control is framed as some sort of triumph. The fact that public art was regulated by a media giant is peachy keen. The fact that traditional buskers were chased out of downtown and replaced by storefront speaker arrays is seen as progress. The fact that developers were given a green light to bulldoze dozens of historic structures is considered visionary. The fact that she deepened the divisions of race, power and wealth between the west and east sides of town is applauded. The fact that her police force was rife with civil rights abuses and citizens were regularly shot and killed primarily for their class or color is celebrated. The fact that a rash of quietly approved arson fires systemically destroyed low income housing is praised. The fact that city planning, contracting and zoning was utterly corrupted under her watch is seen as fine and dandy. This little list is the tip of the iceberg. Vera Katz used identity politics as a shield. In just a few short years, her turd has been polished to a mirror shine.

I think it is time for us to reappraise how we elect our local government. One could argue that the 2008 mayoral race boiled down to two minorities with oodles of baggage, but we were so insistent that we get a "minority" in charge that we lost sight of the fact that we needed an honest and qualified leader. I held my nose and voted for Sho. Others held their nose and voted for Sam. Neither was a great choice when we desperately needed a solid mayor, but the race is over. With the election won, Sam Adams and City Hall should be hitting the ground running and finding a way forward. Instead, they are all forced to focus on the misadventures of one shrinking pillock rather than a growing city full of immense challenges. Now, because of our "diverse lack of choices" we are all stuck with the results.

Just like his widely lauded mentor, Sam Adams is a corporate shill. Whether or not he is also a deviant, or a creep, or a liar, or a schmuck is just icing on that cake. Now, as a community, we are going to have to choke down every bitter morsel over the next four years. We are slow to learn our lessons. Vote for a man or a woman, and cast a ballot for every color of the rainbow, but be smart about it. Bad leadership is made up of bad leaders regardless of their background. They come in every size, shape, race and gender. If we vote for issues and character first, and imaging and novelty last, we will still celebrate our diversity. However, by holding everyone to a higher standard, the city will truly be a better place to live and work for all citizens. In the end, a "token" is only good for a ride on the roller coaster.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

-- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

By holding everyone to a higher standard,

On the other hand, by requiring peeking into people's pants, you may eliminate most of the people that are perhaps most qualified to run big cities (and countries) -- hard working people with huge egos and unusual love lives.

Its better to have fixed laws and bust people who break them. As for grey areas subject to different interpretations, tough cookies!

I hope Sam Adams prevails in order to discourage people from asking about sex lives in the future (Fat chance though. Humans are a nosey bunch with an insatiable need to know all things sex regarding public figures!)

If this wasen't true, it would make a script for a porno movie. Breedlove, what a name. If you haven't noticed. Portland has made the national news with this story.

Steve the DJ,

What is even more glaring than Sam Adams' headlines in the New York Times is your unsubstanciated claims about Hillary Clinton. Care to apologize for that? At least Sam Adams owned up to his boo-boo.

No Hillary just said I don't recall. About a few hundard times when questioned by congress committee. As a officer of the court because she is a lawyer, thats considered lying. Because I don't believe someone who is a party to the facts can't recall anything. And no I won't apologize.

So then you CAN'T substanciate your claims. OK then, we'll keep in mind that you just make up stuff when you post here.

I watched the hearing on t.v. And I don't care what a clintonista thinks. By the way... It was about one year ago that Hillary was leading in the polls. She only had to get past whatever fat old white man the Republicans put up against here. And here only serious contenders in here party was someone who had cheated on his wife and the other person was Black. She had it in the bag. She thought. Then the people of here party started to remember how she and Bill acted while in power. Her party made a differend and imo better choice.

Sam is gonna try to repeat history...alah Bill Clinton. Sad because a whole lot of people are going to get beat up with many $$$ spent...we'll see how City leadership reacts/responds. Will it be worth it for the citizens of Portland?
My request...Sam, keep it simple for the people.

There's a big difference between what Sam did and what Clinton did. Monica Lewinsky was older than 18, so all Clinton did was cheat his marriage and cross an ethical boundary on workplace relationships. Then he lied about it.

Sam on the other hand was involved with this kid before he was 18. Very technically, he may not have broken a law where he could be charged, but he did cross a line that should not be crossed, he knew that, yet he did it anyway. And then lied about it big time in order to win an election.

but he did cross a line that should not be crossed

I asked you to define that line. EXACTLY where is it? Hmm? leave it up to people like Broadway to define?, no.

he may not have broken a law where he could be charged

There, that is CLEAR. No broken laws, lets move on.



Steve the DJ, so far you have YET to make a case showing that Hillary is guilty of anything. You're making stuff up.

Broadway, we're still waiting for a link to "dead American soldiers" or did you make stuff up too?

Skeptical, you dating Sam Adams?

Just in case I wasn't clear enough, here it is for you one more time: The line Sam crossed is KISSING A 17 YEAR OLD. That's a no-no, even if he's not violating any law. A 42 year old man should not be doing anything sexual towards a 17 year old. Then he lied about it because he knew he was wrong and that it would look really bad, another no-no when it comes to trust and credibility. Sam Adams is a dirtbag for chasing around a 17 year old, and he's dirtbag for lying about it. If you don't want people looking into your sex life, then don't get caught in a public bathroom making out with an underage kid.

Some important differences between Adams and Bill Clinton. For one, Bill Clinton was fooling around with a woman who was an intern, working for him. This guy was not working for Adams. Secondly, Clinton lied about the affair under oath. Adams has not lied about anything under oath. And there is no legal requirement that you be honest about your personal sex life to the media.

I may not like the fact that Adams was kissing a 17 year old or having sex with him after he turned 18 or that he lied about it, but if no laws were broken, I don't see how this has anything to do with his job as Mayor of Portland. If he has lied about something related to being mayor or has broken a law, let me know.

How do you trust that he's not lying about something else involving the city?

He's been in public life almost 20 years one way or another, as Vera's Chief of Staff or as a City Commissioner. I'm assuming any such lying would have come out by now, especially now.

And now you have a guy who is going to be cautious to cross every t and dot every i from now on. I'd say he's less likely to lie from here on than other politicians.

Skep--No amount of "proof" will convince a clintonesta of the truth. I'm moving on.

>>Some important differences between Adams and Bill Clinton

what part of the word "lie" don't you understand?

>>If he has lied about something related to being mayor

what part of the word "integrity" don't you understand?

>>I'd say he's less likely to lie

proof is in the future...are Portlander's willing to gamble...maybe if they see a more "repentant" heart?

Broadway, where were you during 2001-2009 while Bush was lying about matters of grave importance to the nation? On what date did you call for him to resign?

Lying about one's private sex life isn't the same as lying about eavesdropping on Americans' conversations (as Bush lied in 2004), not to mention all the other WMD-type stuff he misled the nation about. Forgive me if your calls for Adams to resign for lying about his private sex life seem a bit hypocritical when you said nothing of the sort about Bush.

"Some important differences between Adams and Bill Clinton

what part of the word "lie" don't you understand?"

Andrew took some of the wind out of my sails here, but here goes ...

George W. Bush flat-out lied about our reasonings for the Iraq invasion and occupation, he lied about WHY we were going in and when that was uncovered, he continued to lie.

Why didn't you say anything about THAT?!

Isn't a lie, a lie??

Skep--No amount of "proof" will convince a clintonesta of the truth. I'm moving on.

Like NO amount of proof will convince you DUHbya believers that his administration F'd up America! 66+ million Americas believed it and have moved on without YOU! GET OVER IT!



What part of the word "lie" don't you understand?


DUHbya's done it... But we swept that under the rug. Rove's done it but that was swept too. And Lord above knows that the DICKster has done it. So Broadway what's your point? The EXTREME RIGHT get's a pass and the Dems don't? That's what it seems like.....

Are we really going to let Sam play the "letter of the law" game until Portland is the laughing stock of the entire nation? What is being accomplished by letting this festering wound continue to fill City Hall with gallon after gallon of pus when pressing municipal needs are not being addressed? Do you really think that when other ethics issues come out he won't weave another string of falsehoods, parse the law and tell all of us to go suck it? Where do we draw the line? One lie? A dozen lies? A hundred lies? A thousand lies?

Kissing a teenager in the bathroom of City Hall might not be written specifically into the law as a no-no. Perhaps, it is because the people who wrote the city charter never expected anyone to play "five minutes in heaven" on the public dime in a taxpayer supported facility. If this were a married man fooling around with a married secretary, how would this be playing out? Do we automatically provide a double standard for alternative lifestyles?

Trust? Trust? Are we still even uttering that word in the same sentence as Sam Adams? He hired a fake journalist from a fake newspaper to do a fake job for ten of thousands of real taxpayer dollars in order to insure that a real story about a real incident was kept really quiet. Is blackmail and fraud alright when it is kept among educated migrants and smug hipsters? What other secrets will he bury by paying off the newly arrived poseurs who write for our free weekly birdcage liners?

Sam and his allies are pretending this is a gay issue. It is not. Granted, his public declaration of penile intent is part of his imaging and identity politics, and allows him the "minority" status that few other white men in leadership can claim, but it is not a gay issue. If he were Derrick Foxworth, led our police force with distinction, fraternized with an adult staff member well known as a serial extortionist, and then lied about it, he would be out of work and shamed forever. No hard questions of fairness, no deep concerns about media driven justice, no whining about minority status, and no splitting pubic hairs about the law. Adams enjoys the benefits of being white all the time, but is only picked on for being gay when he fools around with a willing piece of young ass in his office.

We all knew last summer that there would be a few pieces of crap clinging to Obama's broad coattails come November. Perhaps we thought that they would be in some other city, some other state and they would be some other color. Well, surprise folks, this fetid fecal fraud is all ours. When liberals find one well qualified minority with integrity, they love to throw the door wide open to any positioned politician who seems to represent an oppressed group. The vetting ceases, the love-in begins and we roll the dice on our future. Minority constituents and potential minority candidates are hurt in the long term by being represented by people who are far less than the best. This is especially true when the pol engages in very public displays that firmly reinforce negative stereotypes.

If our city mattered one single tiny damn to Sam, he would not have done any of this in the first place. If our city was the truly most important thing to him, he would not have lied and lied and lied to us again. After all, we are the ones who look like total chumps, not him. Sam just looks like some sort of misunderstood stud. We hired a shameless chicken-hawk with political aspirations to do a job that ought to be strictly reserved for dedicated people with strong judgment, strong morals and strong ethics. If our city is not his very top priority, we do not need him. Period. For being blind to the truth, we probably deserve every moment of this embarrassment.

All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.

-- Mayor Harvey Milk

steve the DJ sez: No amount of "proof" will convince a clintonesta of the truth. I'm moving on.

Clinton blew it with Monica, NAFTA, radio dereg, Rawanda, bin Laden. Okay, now please provide evidence where Hillary Clinton violated the law.

Vitalogy, If a 18 year old kisses a 17 year old, OK or not? How about 19 and 17? Hmm . . . Where is the line? Who decides? Broadway?

Broadway, link to dead American soldiers?


I suppose I am more understanding in all matters love than many on the board here as long as its legal. I won't second guess anyone's decision to kiss another human being.

So he didnt quit and decided to stick around and embarrass the city some more, good for you Sam.

Got to love a Mayor that thinks for himself and not the people he serves.

Either way his political time is up. He will never be re elected and will always be known as a liar.


TRIX! enough with the Bush talk. He is old news. Let it go dude. Move on. Find another target.

Oh no. Not just yet.

We've got discovery on all the bull shit, and from there the courts and ideally some judgments rendered.

That's not about him being a target. That's his own doing. It's not about personal revenge either.

It's about resetting the expectations about the law, executive power and how that is all supposed to work.

If we don't hold him accountable, we basically say it's ok to do what you want to as President, and have few worries after leaving office.

That's not how it works, and that's why we can't "just move on".

Looks like Karl Rove is first up in the held accountable dept. I wonder if waterboarding will be used?

Mc74, if you grab a shovel and help us clean up this sh*t, we'll get beyond the days of Bush quicker. How about it?

Mc74: So he didnt quit and decided to stick around and embarrass the city some more, good for you Sam.

Got to love a Mayor that thinks for himself and not the people he serves.

I take it you run in different circles than I do. But, I know a whole lot of people who in the last week expressed a strong desire for Adams NOT to resign. I even saw people wearing "I love Sam" buttons. It seems you underestimate the support he still has in Portland. A lot of us would have been quite upset had he quit over this.

So, he was clearly following the interests of at least some of the people of Portland, even if not those of you who think he should have quit.

Sam Sam was thought to be the smartest mayor in the land. Why he thought of the tram but when people asked Sam why is it now 57 million for the tram. Sam simply replied I'm eating my green eggs and ham. Ham that Sam grabbed from Beau. A security guard walked in and said my my sam what are you doing with Beau's ham.

Now there is screaming that Sam should resign and not just from Bob Ball. But Sam will probably survive because few people bother to picket at city hall. So alas, his critics will probably have to wait for a recall.

As for Sam, the man who once loved cameras , he is now on the lam, and now avoiding the media like he doesn't give a damn.

I wonder how beer sales are these days. I don't drink beer but if i did. I sure would not support a product that profits someone who is of questionable character. IMO.

I guess there's a bar in Portland that is selling shirts that say, "You only have to be 18 to enjoy a Sam Adams".

A buddy of mine is gonna get one and send it to me.

Anybody want to bet that we will find out that Sam Adams has been less than truthful even after claiming he spilled his guts and told the truth?

Personally, I hope the investigation leads to charges against Sam Adams. Adults need to know that kids under 18 are off limits. While I'm not a resident of Portland, I feel embarrassed that some residents of Portland are actually rallying for him to stay. Pathetic!!

>>"You only have to be 18 to enjoy a Sam Adams".

That is classic...ah..the beer that is...

Someone should start a website that pays a small bit of tribute to good politicians. Small town and big cities - living - making a difference.

Because Vitalogy, I will not take your bet.

Someone should start a website that pays a small bit of tribute to good politicians...

It would be a very small web site! It would also need a very powerful search engine!

>>Where is the line? Who decides? Broadway?

Glad I'm considered!

>>making a difference

I think with effort it could be done...Paul Harvey does it daily on "The rest of the Story".
Everyday Americans do countless hours of public service with no compensation other than knowing you've tried to help someone...helping the least of these...stories we'll only know in eternity...all with no press.

Difference is that nobody here is actually doing anything about Bush besides complaining. We had 8 years of that. Do something or move on.

Anyone with half a brain would want Sam Adams to go.
Why On earth would you want this guy to stay?? Not only did he lie to the public but Sam and this kid were fooling around when this kid was 17. They might not have been actually having sex BUT they were kissing. We know FOR SURE that Sam Adams was Kissing this kid when he was 17, so how do we know they were not having sex??
I have no problem with homosexuals but I do have a problem with a 45 year old making out with a 17 year old.

Beano: Anyone with a half a brain would want Sam Adams to go.

So the people who want Adams to resign are half-brained? Maybe. I do know that a lot of us with all of our brains think he should stay.

Why would you want this LIAR. Sam ADAMS to stay!
So you think that its ok for a 45 year old to be making out with a 17 year old??

So lets say You found out that YOUR 17 year old son was having SEX with Sam Adams. You would be ok with that Andrew??

That wouldn't make you question what type of person Sam Adams really is??

Already explained this several times above. No need for me to repeat it.

Andrew, I've always felt like a lot of the things you post are spot on, like something I would say but you say it better. You've built a reputation of having solid viewpoints and seem to avoid partisanship and are one of the more level-headed people on this board. But your support of Sam Adams has me baffled. The more I think about this the madder I get at the prospect of him getting away with his actions AND keeping his job.

It also goes to show the double standard that exists in our society when it comes to child sex abuse. If a 42 year old man did this to a girl, he would have been arrested and her parents would be pressing charges. But because Beau Breedlove is a male, people don't seem to care that he was 17 when these acts occurred. Where are Beau's parents? If my 17 year old child was solicited by a 42 year old to kiss him, I would be seeking charges against Sam Adams. Where's Beau's parents????

Hey Vitalogy: we've already discussed this to death. I'm not going to change your mind and you're not going to change mine. How about we simply agree to disagree on this one and move on?

http://www.blueoregon.com/2009/01/sams-apology.html

You two posted up great points! IMHO, there is merit to both of them.

Clearly this comes down to whether or not Sam can separate his duties as Mayor from this personal matter and act accordingly.

He says he can. We shall see.

Meanwhile, the first hispanic mayor of Hartford, Connecticut has just been charged with taking a bribe and was arrested -- unlike Sam Adams, he's broken an actual law!

So, we're off the front pages of the New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/nyregion/28hartford.html?ref=nyregion

hmm, nobody is picking on Littlesong's post. Is it because he is right? Vera Katz destroyed this city, and Sam Adams is and has been more of the same. I didn't vote for him, nor Katz.

Radioitpro, don't ASSume anything. Littlesongs posted his perspective and people here respected it, but don't necessarily agree with him.

IMO his opinion that Katz "destroyed" the city is nutty. Katz was a fantastic mayor who made Portland alive and vibrant. Portlanders agreed with Katz's vision so much, she was in office for 12 years. Any opinion of a city "destroyed" is a minority view.

Sam Adams has been in office 3 weeks, exactly what is he destroying?

I'm not inclined to disagree with Littlesongs on this one.

Looking back, it's very difficult to make the case that Katz took us forward overall. Bright spots in there for sure, but no significant change, IMHO.

As for ruining the city, there are a lot of factors there. Really, I'm interested in where we go from here, more than anything else.

There are pockets in this city that have done well, and many that haven't, and some things lost along the way. PDX at the core is still a great city, with the best people!

If Sam doesn't have to resign, then he won't. All I can then do is hope he succeeds and that this event was an education that presents as an opportunity to do the right things more of the time.

It's too expensive to do otherwise right now, and that drives a lot of my politics at the moment.

Soooo, uh...that's it? It's over?

Supporters of a recall effort can begin collecting signatures in July. If supporters of a recall can garner 34,000 valid signatures (something like that), then it goes to the ballot.

It'll be interesting to see how Adams decides to campaign in this sort of environment if recall supporters get their signatures.

Hey Now! Vera Katz is WAY more of a man than Sam Adams, and she has the mustache to prove it.

Time to get that thing waxed VERA!

Chickenjuggler: Soooo, uh...that's it? It's over?


Andrew2 Saturday, January 24, 2009 - 3:47 pm

Adams should not resign. Let the Attorney General's investigation clear him - assuming it does - and ride it out. The public has a short memory. In a few months most will have forgotten this unfortunate incident.

For now, the scandal is being constantly flogged by the media, so it's in the public eye. Media interest will fade eventually.

July is traditionally a slow news month but a sweeps period for television stations nevertheless, so I'm sure area television stations will make the most of covering a recall effort.

I wonder how many people are going to fork up cash to run a recall campaign -- they'll need upwards of 60,000 signatures in 2 months, enough to cover the likely high number of bogus out of town and non-registered signatures, THEN they'll have to run the actual campaign with $$$ from who knows where.

I'm still hoping he's charged criminally and is forced to resign.

I don't think getting signatures will be that great a challenge. Plus you’ve got Lars Larson beating the drum for a recall. You can bet with certainly that he’ll use his program where it could potentially work best – publicity and fundraising. I'm sure he'll invite pro-recall forces to join his show frequently. It’ll be a boon to the recall effort. Could you imagine his local and national audience sending money to a Portland recall effort? I can. Whether you like him or not, Lars has a highly rated radio show and he’ll use it. To assume the crowd that most vociferously supports a recall won’t have the wherewithal to lead a sufficiently robust campaign underestimates them entirely.

Where I do think it will be a very real challenge for the pro-recall forces is keeping the issue focused on matters unrelated to his orientation. I can just see conservative area church groups leading Recall Sam events turning the whole affair into a anti-gay free for all, thus hijacking the recall and scaring away those whose concerns have nothing to do with his orientation. If it becomes an issue of sexual orientation, I doubt the recall would have much success, and for good reason.

Whatever ends up happening, it'll make for an interesting fall politically in Portland.

Kinda hard for someone to get criminally charged if there wasn't a law broken. And in the event one thinks they're going to "find" something during the investigation, think again. Adams isn't an idiot -- he'd have resigned back during that lost weekend if he was on weak legal grounds.

As for Lars Larson, he's become somewhat of a buffoon recently, not to mention that some of soap boxes have been yanked out from under him.

The one soap box he does have in Portland is a 50,000 watt AM radio station with a sizable audience and a demographic known for donating to political causes. You may find his politics nauseating (as do I generally), but I don’t discount his ability to stir the pot on this issue.

Well, the AG has not determined yet whether a law was broken or not. I believe there was and hope he's charged, and there's precedence in previous cases that a kiss is indeed a sexual advance. If so, combined with the fact that the kid was 17, tells me he ain't off the hook yet.

We'll just have to wait for the AG's investigation to be complete, huh? No point in speculating.

I have no doubt that the Lars Larsons out there were looking for any excuse at all to push for recalling Sam Adams or anyone on the left side of the political spectrum whom they dislike.

Roger that!

Seriously, if a law was broken, then he should be charged; otherwise, he won't be. That leaves us with his assurance that he will work double hard now. Either he does that, or he doesn't, and the next election will vet that.

Frankly, he would have had to work double hard anyway! Lars and his core 23 percenters would have found something. That's just how it is.

But, whether or not he's charged, I think he should resign based solely on what has been detailed. Others only seem to want him to resign if he's charged.

I'm one of those.

If no law was broken, then we've got Sam promising to double down and work hard for not just coming out with this mess right away. Given that, or another election and those costs and such, I'm not there. Don't think it's worth it.

Better to see what he does. Given how a fairly large segment of society is anti-gay, and the nature of this mess, I can see where it would be tough to just drop that out there. Don't agree with it. Not sure I would personally handle it that way either.

I also think the reality that the 23 percenters are going to go off and use it to promote their discriminatory ideas, perhaps a balance to that check is appropriate.

So, I think Sam needs to actually double down, work hard and ride it out, given he's not broken the law.

I could easily regret that, just as I could easily regret having supported him being outta office, and the election gets us a bigger nut-bag.

In the end, if he has not violated the law, he is entitled to hold office. Having pissed a lot of people off, he's got a work burden on him, and the next election will vet that.

That's just how it is.

Sam pissed off a lot of people just by getting elected in the first place. Its not fair to use an imaginary line to get back at him now. Find a law in the book that got broken and BOOK HIM!