Mayor of Portland + Male Intern = Sex Scandal

[choxorn]

PORTLAND -- A contrite Mayor Sam Adams apologized to Portland for lying about a sexual relationship with a male teenager he was mentoring, but asked the city to consider it an anomaly in two decades of public service.

"I screwed up. I blew it. There's no way to sugarcoat it," Adams said during a news conference at City Hall Tuesday.

Adams coasted to victory in the 2008 election, making Portland the largest U.S. city to elect an openly gay mayor. He was sworn in Jan. 1.

The 45-year-old said he has no plans to resign, but left open the possibility: "If it were no longer in the city's best interests that I stay, yes, I would resign."

Rumors of a relationship between Adams and the teen, Beau Breedlove, surfaced in 2007, when the city commissioner was getting ready to run for mayor. The rumor was that Adams had sex with a 17-year-old.

The pair denied the rumor, but Adams, with the Willamette Week newspaper preparing to publish evidence of the relationship, admitted Monday that the two were together in the summer of 2005.

Breedlove turned 18 in June of that year, and Adams said the relationship did not begin until after the birthday.

In fact, Beau encouraged me to be honest about the facts of our relationship," Adams said. "I am deeply sorry that I asked him to lie for me."

Commissioner Randy Leonard, who defended him when the rumor surfaced in 2007, has now called for an investigation. Leonard's chief of staff, Ty Kovatch, voiced concern about Adams' decision to ask Breedlove to lie.

"It reveals a much more strategic and planned effort to mislead people," Kovatch said.

Leonard said he believes Adams can continue as mayor -- unless "further omissions and discrepancies" emerge.

Adams said he would cooperate in any investigation.

He stressed the issue is about a public official lying, not sexual orientation, and he would work to regain the public's trust.

"I will be subject to greater scrutiny because of this, and that is appropriate," he said.

"My reputation has been impacted. Friendships have been impacted, and that's appropriate as well."

Jeana Frazzini, director of Basic Rights Oregon, the state's largest gay rights organization, said she sensed disappointment within the gay community, but said the long-range impact is hard to predict.

"Our main concern is that we hope gay politicians who come after Sam don't turn out to be failures because of individuals who came before," Frazzini said.

Though Adams says the relationship with Breedlove was legal, he added that it was inappropriate because of the age gap. He said Breedlove, a legislative intern, wanted to meet with him to get advice about public service.

Link to Article

Discuss. Should Adams resign? How appropriate was the relationship? Should the media just shut up about this cause it doesn't matter much?

 

[Alpine Trooper]

Age gap isn't an issue here. That's typical in the homosexual community. This is discrimination, he was following the law.

 

[PeteAtoms]

"I screwed up. I blew it. There's no way to sugarcoat it," Adams said during a news conference at City Hall Tuesday.

"I will be subject to greater scrutiny because of this, and that is appropriate," he said.

At least he's callin' it like it is. I can respect that about him, he's a "straight shooter."

 

[MobBoss]

He lied and told a kid to lie for him as well. He should resign.

Btw, if the kid were an 18 year old girl there would be no question he should resign. Descrimination wouldnt even be considered.

Plus if the guy has already lied about it....why take his word the relationship didnt start until the kid was 18?

 

[History_Buff]

He did lie about it, but that's his right as far as I'm concerned. You're entitled to privacy about your private life. But even now that it's out, he's being candid about it, which is nice to see.

If you stack it next to 20 years of solid service to his community, there's no reason for him to resign.

 

[silver 2039]

Portland is pretty awesome to elect an openly gay mayor. Any open atheists yet?

 

[MobBoss]

He did lie about it, but that's his right as far as I'm concerned. You're entitled to privacy about your private life. But even now that it's out, he's being candid about it, which is nice to see.

If you stack it next to 20 years of solid service to his community, there's no reason for him to resign.

Lieing is never a politicians 'right'. And he has only been Mayor maybe 3 weeks. If the truth of it had come out during the election, he might not have been elected. He essentially pulled a Edwards (ie. denied everything until the very last moment), but the truth didnt come out until after he was elected.

Bottom line...if its wrong for Mark Foley to do this with interns/pages, then it should be wrong here as well - except I dont think Foley ever lied about it. Resign. Like Foley did.

 

[CaptainF]

Portland is pretty awesome to elect an openly gay mayor. Any open atheists yet?

Haha...damn. Guess Portland took a gamble on this one and faiiiiiled.

Oh well. It's Portland. They'll probably elect a tranny mayor next.

 

[History_Buff]

Lieing is never a politicians 'right'. And he has only been Mayor maybe 3 weeks. If the truth of it had come out during the election, he might not have been elected. He essentially pulled a Edwards (ie. denied everything until the very last moment), but the truth didnt come out until after he was elected.

Bottom line...if its wrong for Mark Foley to do this with interns/pages, then it should be wrong here as well - except I dont think Foley ever lied about it. Resign. Like Foley did.

What's wrong with him lying about his personal life? The fact that he lied about that does not mean he's going to start lying about public matters, and neglecting his duties.

There's also little point to him resigning immediately, particularly if he was elected this recently. What does that cause, aside from a return to the polls, where he might very well be elected again? He said he will resign should the public make it clear that it their wish, so as long as he makes good on that, no problem.

Finally, I don't know who Mark Foley is, nor do I know of said incident with Edwards, nor do I think that one guy resigning over some similar scandal should require another to do the same.

 

[MobBoss]

What's wrong with him lying about his personal life?

A lot. Its a propensity to lie about things he knows are wrong instead of being up front and honest about it. He said himself the relationship was improper.

The fact that he lied about that does not mean he's going to start lying about public matters, and neglecting his duties.

It shows a propensity to lie to the public and also that he coerced the kid to lie for him as well.

There's also little point to him resigning immediately, particularly if he was elected this recently. What does that cause, aside from a return to the polls, where he might very well be elected again?

If he lied about it to the public, what makes you think the public would elect him again? Why not elect a gay man that doesnt lie? Now thats a thought isnt it?

He said he will resign should the public make it clear that it their wish, so as long as he makes good on that, no problem.

Thats good....he should. Like I said, others in similar situations were made to resign, I dont see why this guy is any different.

Finally, I don't know who Mark Foley is, nor do I know of said incident with Edwards, nor do I think that one guy resigning over some similar scandal should require another to do the same.

Then maybe you should do some studying.

 

[Babbler]

Let's be honest: the fact the mayor was openly gay makes this story less salacious.

 

[Left]

He certainly "blew it"!!!

H
E
H

 

[Narz]

He lied and told a kid to lie for him as well. He should resign.

Bush lied about WMD's and thousands of American men & women (and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis) died. Who died because of this mayor's lie? As history buff said he covered up something in his personal life & that doesn't necessary reflect on his ability to do his job. I'm sure we'd all tell a lie or two to protect our privacy in public office. Telling a lie about matters concerning the public is less excusable not more (this country has it backwards).

Btw, if the kid were an 18 year old girl there would be no question he should resign. Descrimination wouldnt even be considered.

Eighteen is legal age. If he isn't married he has full right to sleep with any legal adult he chooses. Why should his sex life be any of your business? And why on Earth should he resign for it? Maybe you want to see him wear a scarlet letter?

Plus if the guy has already lied about it....why take his word the relationship didnt start until the kid was 18?

We have this thing in America called innocent until proven guility.

 

[Godwynn]

I wonder what kind of beer he drinks.

 

[MobBoss]

Let's be honest: the fact the mayor was openly gay makes this story less salacious.

It also gives him less of a reason to lie about it.

 

[warpus]

He's gay, so it's okay.

Let him stay!

 

[History_Buff]

A lot. Its a propensity to lie about things he knows are wrong instead of being up front and honest about it. He said himself the relationship was improper.

I certainly wouldn't consider the relationship with the guy wrong.

It shows a propensity to lie to the public and also that he coerced the kid to lie for him as well.

Perhaps, but I can separate lying about personal matters and lying about professional matters; why wouldn't he be able to do the same?

If he lied about it to the public, what makes you think the public would elect him again? Why not elect a gay man that doesnt lie? Now thats a thought isnt it?

Because he lied about something that is, quite frankly, trivial. A man's sexual activities are no business of the public - so long as they are legal - and I personally would do not consider anything he did here wrong. Portland may well agree with me, and they might not. That remains to be seen. Him resigning immediately solves nothing.

Thats good....he should. Like I said, others in similar situations were made to resign, I dont see why this guy is any different.

Made to resign how? If it was pressure from his constituents, sure, but if the majority of them still support the person in question, there is no reason to resign.

Personal life != Professional conduct

Then maybe you should do some studying.

Why? They're not particularly relevant issues to anyone outside the US.

 

[warpus]

Why? They're not particularly relevant issues to anyone outside the US.

Dude, you just gotta know who American politicians are feeling up in bathrooms.

YOU GOTTA

For some reason..

 

[MobBoss]

Bush lied about WMD's and thousands of American men & women (and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis) died.

Oh my god Narz, get off the Bush train already. We are talking about a Mayor in Portland...not Bush.

This guy admitted he lied. And a lot of people actually understand Bush's comments werent a lie, but as a result of faulty intelligence. Let it go already. Time to scrape that Gore campaign sticker off your moped and move on with life.

Who died because of this mayor's lie?

Why the logical fallacy? Someone not dieing doesnt validate his lie. Stop playing the partisan. Your type yelled and hooted when almost the exact same scandle occurred to Mark Foley sans the lie, and everyone commented about him resigning...why is this guy any different? Oh..thats right, he's gay so its ok to have sex with teenagers and tell them to lie about it.

As history buff said he covered up something in his personal life & that doesn't necessary reflect on his ability to do his job.

Then why cover it up? He isnt a private citizen, but a public figure.

Most likely the reason to cover it up is because he was running for office.

I'm sure we'd all tell a lie or two to protect our privacy in public office.

I'm sure your quite wrong.

Telling a lie about matters concerning the public is less excusable not more (this country has it backwards).

He coerced an 18 year old to lie for him. Come on.

Eighteen is legal age.

The interns Mark Foley was sending illicit sex messages to were legal age also. Didnt make it any less a scandal.

If he isn't married he has full right to sleep with any legal adult he chooses.

Then why lie about it?

Why should his sex life be any of your business?

Because he is not a private citizen but an elected public official. If its our business who Mayor Guiliani is seeing, I dont see why this isnt our business as well.

And why on Earth should he resign for it?

He should resign because he is a liar and coerced an 18 year old to lie for him. Thats why. Not because he is gay.

If there is no shame in what he did, then why did he himself say it was inappropriate? Why lie about it?

Maybe you want to see him wear a scarlet letter?

Maybe I expect more out of our politicans than getting teenagers to lie about having sex with them.

We have this thing in America called innocent until proven guility.

This isnt a court of law. Its a court of opinion. If he didnt want to damage his image perhaps he should have either not done it or at least told the truth about it.

 

[mangxema]

"I screwed up. I blew it. There's no way to sugarcoat it," Adams said during a news conference at City Hall Tuesday.

"I will be subject to greater scrutiny because of this, and that is appropriate," he said.

At least he's callin' it like it is. I can respect that about him, he's a "straight shooter."

At least part of him is.