Portland Mayor Won't Resign Amid Scandal

(AP)  The mayor of Portland, Ore., said Sunday he would not resign despite calls for him to do so after he admitted he lied and asked a teenager to lie about their sexual relationship.

"Tomorrow, I go back (to) work as your mayor. I know I have let you down and made mistakes. I ask your forgiveness," Mayor Sam Adams said in a statement. "I believe I have a lot to offer the city I love during this time of important challenges."

Adams, who was just sworn in on Jan. 1, publicly apologized this past week for lying early in his campaign about the relationship with an 18-year-old man in 2005.

The scandal has resulted in an investigation by the Oregon attorney general and has divided the city and its gay and lesbian community. The police union and four Portland newspapers have called for his resignation, but Adams has found strong support to remain, including a Friday rally on his behalf at City Hall that drew more than 400 people.

In his statement, Adams said he would "work harder than I ever have in my life" to help see the city through the tough economic times.

Two of the leading business associations in Portland had taken a wait-and-see stance.

Steve Holwerda, Chairman of the Portland Business Alliance, said in a statement the board had differing views on whether Adams should resign but they agreed it was a critical time for the city and some of its major development projects.

"Whether or not he stays in office should be based on whether he can lead our city effectively and with the integrity that all our citizens deserve," Holwerda said.

But the board of the Portland Area Business Association went further and said Adams should remain in office, but added, "pending the outcome of official investigation."

The teenager, Beau Breedlove, was a legislative intern when he met the mayor at age 17. He and the mayor both say their sexual relationship started after his 18th birthday, in June 2005.

Breedlove, now 21, told The Oregonian on Saturday that the relationship was consensual.

"I do not see any relationship that I ever had with Sam as me being taken advantage of," Breedlove told the newspaper. "I do not feel like I was ever a victim."

When Adams confirmed the relationship this past week, he said it was inappropriate because of the age difference; Adams is now 45.

He also said he lied early in his mayoral campaign and asked Breedlove to lie as well because rumors at the time falsely suggested the relationship involved a minor.

[elramees]

Gosh, I am with Harriet Christian, this sounds like an "inadequate" white male, who is an elitist and feels entitled. Sam Adam, you have admitted, you''re a liar. Now, unlike GWB, listen to the people and abide by their wishes...just go!

[wardoglrs]

It is surely time for men to think for themselves, and to throw off the authority of names so artificially magnified.
Thomas Jefferson.

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master... George Washington

"When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." %u2013 Ron Paul

"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.
attributed to Edmund Burke

People that vote decide nothing, people who count the votes decide everything Joseph Stalin.

I don''t care who votes, so long as I get to count them Joseph Stalin.


We can have justice whenever those who have not been injured by injustice are as outraged by it as those who have been.
Solon 594 B.C.


When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature''s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

[wardoglrs]

The thought of a 40 plus year old man taking advantage of a 17 year old then runs for Office after knowingly lieing

[brainteaser2]

can''t these idiots keep it in their pants. The mayor of Racine, WI just resigned over child enticement too. Why do they think they will get away with this *** - especially when they are in public office and everyone is watching them.

[newslink]

What is going on in this Country? Can any one in Office be Trusted to tell the Truth? Now it is becoming Clear, why and how this Country has gotten in this mess...

[beader59]

First off, who cares if he is homosexual. He is young and good-looking and he can have *** if he wants with anyone over 18. It is stupid that he didn''t stop to think about the consequences of having *** with someone young, but legal. If he direct supervision of this person then that was stupid as well. But stupid is what it is. I don''t think he should step down, but he needs to be more mature in his actions. I think he will be a fine Mayor, so get off of his back because you hate homosexuals. Homosexuals are not the ruin of society. But hate mongers are. By the way I am from Oregon.

[usclimey]

Yeah makes you wonder. Then gay men and women could openly make passes at others. You think sexual harrassment is a problem in the military now just wait until this policy is struck down by Obama. I was in the Army from 1985-2005. I saw an occassions where a gay that had too much to drink and got hands on with another soldier in the latrine. Needless to say the gay guy got his face beat in. This will be one of the many problems that the military will face after open gayness comes to the Armed Forces. Good luck guys and gals and watch your backsides..literally.

Posted by wvu74621 at 07:49 AM : Jan 26, 2009

The armed forces in Europe have allowed openly gay members for years with no problems, but then Europeans are generally more tolerant of different lifestyles than Americans. BTW, anyone in the SAS could whup any green beret man enough to stand up.

[danielle_mom]

This is a case of double standard.

If this was a case of 30 year old male and an 18 female, it would be a sexual harassment.

If the gender''s were reverse, it would still be discrimination.

Since it is two adult gay males, it is their right.

Labor laws are there to protect both employee and supervisor. The mayor crossed the line when he made the suggestion of a relation with a suborniate. It does not matter the gender.

[pepperwood2]

Somebody in another forum suggested that the Portland Perverts should get together with their colleagues in San Francisco and across this great nation of ours and purchase Alcatraz. They could rename it The Pelosi Hilton & then share The Paradise Island Estate with relocated Guantanamo''s Terrorists while converting them to their life style. But don''t pollute the Planet by throwing condoms,etc. in SF Bay. Honey Moon Haven for the ****''s they called it. Now that''s a Queer idea. So Sad!

[wvu74621]

My God! What is going to happen to our military when Don''''t ask Don''''t tell is abolished? Oh Bama is out to destroy America as we know it.


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Posted by JackP32 at 07:40 AM : Jan 26, 2009

Yeah makes you wonder. Then gay men and women could openly make passes at others. You think sexual harrassment is a problem in the military now just wait until this policy is struck down by Obama. I was in the Army from 1985-2005. I saw an occassions where a gay that had too much to drink and got hands on with another soldier in the latrine. Needless to say the gay guy got his face beat in. This will be one of the many problems that the military will face after open gayness comes to the Armed Forces. Good luck guys and gals and watch your backsides..literally.