Editorial: Mayor Sam Adams should not have to resign

It is a fact of political life that every mistake is magnified, and there is little doubt that Portland Mayor Sam Adams made a questionable decision to engage in a sexual relationship with Beau Breedlove, a then 18-year-old legislative intern, in 2005.

And yes, Adams further complicated matters when he lied about the nature of his relationship with Breedlove when it became an issue during his mayoral campaign.

However, equally questionable and poorly thought out, are the reactionary calls for Adams to resign his post.

If Breedlove was of legal age when he and Adams began their sexual relationship it is no one’s business but theirs. Remember, the issue was first raised by Bob Ball, a former potential mayoral candidate, to score political points against Adams.

While Breedlove’s age certainly raises the specter of former Gov. Neil Goldschmidt’s affair with a teenage neighbor, there could not be more of a difference between the two incidents.

Goldschmidt was a married man, and his victim was 14 years old when he first began abusing her in the 1970s. Few, if any, have categorized Adams’ relationship as abuse.

The Oregonian wrote a righteous editorial in which they categorized Adams’ election as “built on a lie.” Perhaps that has a degree of truth, but it was a lie about something that is unnecessary to judge the man’s ability to govern.

Adams lied. He is paying a heavy, very public price. Considering the current economic crisis, we now must move on. These times require a competent leader, however flawed, however human.

Adams’ record seems to indicate that in issues that affect Portlanders, he has been right time and again.

Adams is a champion of the homeless, smarter transportation options, and sustainable living. He was elected not because he did or didn’t sleep with a consenting adult, but because he has a history Portlanders trust—one that stretches back to his 11 years as former Mayor Vera Katz’s chief of staff.

He was voted into office because he knows the ins and outs of city government and Portland politics. He was voted in because his record speaks for itself, something numerous publications conveniently forgot in their rush to crucify another “dirty” politician.

We call on Adam not to resign, because he shouldn’t have to.