FeedsOn Political Smears and Sam Adams
I awoke this morning to find a nasty little surprise at Blogtown, PDX: the appearance of a smear campaign against Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams. In her post, Amy J. Ruiz shared a letter that Sam just sent out which talks of a smear job in the worst way. It seems that someone was trying to take political advantage of the fact that Sam is gay and that he gave advice to a gay youth who needed some mentoring by using the image of impropriety in their contact. Indeed, it seems that Bob Ball, a developer and a potential mayoral candidate, has been spreading this rumor about the movers and shakers of the city to see what happens. Here's a quote from the Willamette Week article from Commissioner Randy Leonard:
Leonard, who says until this week he considered Ball a close friend, now accuses him of trying to smear Adams. "This is one of the most vile things I’ve ever seen happen in politics," says Leonard. "At worst Sam is guilty of not recognizing that the cynics of the world would mischaracterize what he’s done."
Wow. That's pretty hard-hitting stuff. Personally, I think this is all ridiculous and I had hoped, as Sam notes in his letter, that Portland politics can be above this kind of mud-slinging. Even if Ball or others who might leak smears against Sam didn't intend for this firestorm, the fact that the Commissioner felt he needed to send out a letter clarifying the situation in such firm language indicates the seriousness of the situation. But I think he answers it well, from his letter which I read at Blogtown:
"I didn’t get into public life to allow my instinct to help others to be snuffed out by fear of sleazy misrepresentations or political manipulation. I understand the need for good judgment, and I work very hard to keep within the bounds of propriety — as I did in this case."I’m glad that people consider me as a person they could come to for help, understanding and support. I work at it. And I hope that you do too. Local programs needing mentors have long waiting lists."
Now, let me make something clear. I worked for Sam in the past, but this transcends that affiliation. I believe the Commissioner to be an upright, fantastic leader and man whom I throughly trust and whom I would approach with serious problems. His letter sums it up so nicely in this regard, and I find the accusations against him patently offensive and absurd. I think that Blue Oregon gets it right when they call these charges an attempt at a "deceitful, nasty character assassination."
What are your thoughts on this strange situation? Personally, I wonder at why the Willamette Week felt it necessary to run a long article on this whole story, especially if the moral is that Sam really didn't do anything wrong. I guess news is news, but still- the story leads with the situation and then follows with an answer, rather than tempering it in a way that allows people to clearly understand from the get-go that this is all bogus. Such was the case in the Oregonian's article, where denials from Adams and the then-minor are up front in the article and all the cards are placed squarely on the table. Furthermore, the piece goes into further detail about the contact Ball had with Leonard and Ball's additional contact with former Mayor Vera Katz.
From what I've read from all the sources, I think we get a very clear picture of what's happened. Of course details are missing and there are denials all around, but we've got enough to call a spade a spade. And I think that, based on the comments I've read across the board, people are doing just that in shaking their heads in disbelief over such a strange and vile situation.
Disclaimer: I have worked for Commissioner Adams in the past, but my opinions here are my own and I speak only for myself.
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Comments from site editors have a darker background than comments from everybody else.I think because of this there is a lot of very ill will built up against Bob Ball; I know I went from being apathetic to actively disliking him because of this. I know America has a long and proud tradition of whisper campaigns but if he can't even get this right I certainly don't want him managing the city. What a jackass.
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Also, curiously enough, Bob Ball supported Sam Adams for his City Council race.
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Still voting Sam for Mayor 2008!
This is obviously a ludicrous attempt at smearing Sam's image, and I think Bob Ball should withdraw his name from the race (and his presence from Portland) for stooping this low. We have no need for that kind of action here.
Hopefully Portlanders will understand the facts of it and not the rumors. Sam has taken the high road and acted in a manner very befitting an elected official in Portland.
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And yet, over at Bojack, Jack Bogdanksi, Portland's most vocal curmudgeon, thinks that all of this is just a clever hit piece against Bob Ball. What the hell.
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So, here's a little update from the land of wingnuts. The Portland Mercury had the stomach to listen to the rantings of Lars Larson, and it seems he had quite a bit to say about this whole affair. Namely, he centers on the fact that Sam's gay and makes a tacit tie to Neal Goldschmidt, equating trying to mentor the gay youth to a forty-something straight man taking a teenage girl out to dinner to inquire about her sex life.
Disgusting. Vile. What do you think? Personally, since Larson lives out on the fringe away from mainstream America, I wonder why he even bothers.
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Wow.. that's like... triple spin. Maybe even quadruple spin.
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I'd direct you all to take a look at Scott Moore's latest blog post over at Blogtown PDX, where he opens up this case and comes to the following conclusions: Bob Ball is toast; this is a hit piece; and the Larson and WWeek focus on sex and this case is a sad throwback.
Please go read it for yourself and see what I mean. Scott has really earned my respect with his astute analysis.
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Thanks for the kind words, Ben. This is one of the strangest stories I've ever seen while covering city hall--keep checking back for updates.
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