The Sam Adams recall people
While the collective nervous breakdown known as Mayor Sam Adams continues to plague Portland, the anonymous committee that claims to be running the beginnings of a grass-roots recall campaign against him has been making some waves. The other day they sent around a press release trying to put Commissioner Amanda Fritz, an unabashed apologist for Creepy Sam, on the spot. Since the taxpayers of Portland spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on her two City Council campaigns, the group said, the least Fritz could do would be to put a vote of confidence-or-no-confidence in the mayor before the City Council. Presumably this would open the door for more public testimony on why our sad leader should be forcibly removed from the office he stole by lying.
People are starting to get tired of this "anonymous committee" nonsense. Even folks like I, who want nothing more than to rid our local government of Adams and his ilk, think it's about time to get serious about who is really going to lead the charge against the teeny-bopping mayor when the opportunity for a recall officially opens on July 1. And more importantly, it's time to figure out who is going to pay for it. Websites are cheap, and anonymous blogs are even cheaper. Neither will accomplish the fumigation of Sam the Scam.
In the last day or so, at least two names have floated to the surface from the anonymous recall committee. One is Jasun Wurster, identified as a computer consultant and a spokesman for the recall group. Another spokesperson is Ally Powell, identified as "a Portland Community College student and single mother of three." I admire Wurster and Powell's initiative, but if that and a Facebook page is all they've got by the time summer gets here, the Adams dark ages are going to last a full four years, and perhaps even beyond.
To wrest his ill-gotten office from Adams is going to take money, and lots of it. He'll be bankrolled against any recall effort by some powerful moneyed interests. There are a number of folks who will defend him to the death simply because he's gay. He'll also be able to spend the next six months cutting deals with unions and developers who might be persuaded to help him monetarily in defending himself. Even the Sho Dozono downtown business set may be hesitant to throw dollars into a recall campaign against Creepy, because they may figure out that they'll get more favors out of a weakened Adams than they would from a stronger replacement. Certainly the reappearance of guys like Don Mazziotti, Bill Scott, and Jim Francesconi on the City Hall scene indicate that the smell of public money has not lost its attraction to members of the meta-Goldschmidt machine.
And so if Portland wants to cure itself of Sam-ism, some prominent people, with money in hand, are going to have to step up at some point soon. Although nothing official can happen until July 1, one would think that serious players would need to get together starting no later than the first of April to start a serious organizational and fundraising effort. Until then, anyone who thinks a viable recall effort is currently under way would be engaged in self-deception. If anything, the anonymous committee may at this point be doing more harm than good.
| Posted at 7:55 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (26)
I guess the mayor's office is bought and paid for just like the corporate boards who pay those executives who get those big dollars for bankrupting their companies.
The teeny boppers aren't the only ones being scr*wed in Portland town.
It is too bad everyone is so scared, including me. I confess I am scared to sign my real name for fear of repercussions like recurring $400 'inspection' visits to my business from the fire marshall, or other even more invasive harassment.
Posted by portland native | February 11, 2009 8:51 AM
Adams is *counting* on being tried in the court of public opinion.
Because to him, it'll never be about doing what is right--it'll be only about doing what is merely legal.
So, I'd say to focus on whether the recall folks are anonymous or not is to play into the Adams strategy--that is, to focus on the critics, not him.
I've yet to hear a reasoned opinion in his support--they're either (a)"you're all homophobic prudish haters" or (b)"Portland needs Adams as Mayor".
neither reason addresses Adams lying. but they do focus on the critic, not Adams.
Posted by Another Roner in the Night | February 11, 2009 8:58 AM
Adams is hanging on by a thread, and that thread is the implicit support of the landed gentry who have always supported him and may or may not support him come a recall campaign.
Many people are staying quiet in fear of retribution, but every day his support base narrows a little more.
The only real question is not "if" but "when" he'll lose support from the guys with the money. Then he's toast.
Posted by Steve R. | February 11, 2009 9:19 AM
I don't know how many households there are in Portland, but I'll make a very crude estimate: 600K people at 3 people per household = 200K households. Let's suppose that at least 50% of the people want to get rid of Adams --> 100K households. If 10% of them pony up $50 apiece, that's $500K.
I'll be happy to make a $50 contribution. And you?
The Obama on-line fundraising effort seems rather pertinent here instead of waiting for Mr. Deep Pockets to step up.
Posted by joe bob | February 11, 2009 9:26 AM
Slate has a pretty good column on the front page about Scummy Sam.
www.slate.com
Posted by andy | February 11, 2009 10:20 AM
Hey, people Adams sees his support as 50-50, so why should he have quit?
I think his sense and what I get from readings his hey-boys comments, is that Sam did nothing illegal and all the soccer moms will forget it in 6 months. So at least you get the idea of what they think of you the voter now.
The idea of a fund to run a recall campaign would work and I'd contribute.
Posted by Steve | February 11, 2009 10:29 AM
Jack, you are right as many bloggers have posted lately, Sam is in the process right now of "cutting deals with unions and developers".
Look for some interesting arrangements in the news soon about SoWhat with backscratching between Sam and the "Stakeholders". But I hope these attempts, and probably some that come to fruition, will be exposed and simply explained. The average voter doesn't know how these backscratchings occur, how they affect their pocketbooks.
With this knowledge and other things likely to come out about Sam, it will be even more very interesting for him.
Posted by lw | February 11, 2009 10:42 AM
What about a recall fundraising campaign ala' Grumpy Potter style ??? Place a cap on the donations ????
That type of fundraising worked pretty well for Grumpy Potter's run for mayor...
Posted by Fonzi | February 11, 2009 10:43 AM
Thanks,
I am in city council meeting right now and promise to respond as soon as I can. BTW, a citizen made a great speech to day during the communications period.
I do ask that people call and put pressure on Commissioner Fritz at 503-823-3008 to place the non-binding resolution on next weeks regular agenda.
This will allow the people of Portland to speak directly to the Council and force them to act.
The best think that can happen is for Adams save us a lot of money and resign.
As always great points made in this article.
Jasun Wurster
Posted by Jasun Wurster | February 11, 2009 10:51 AM
Adams is in full pay to stay mode with as many heavy hitters he can whallow with.
His desire to stay makes him a chump in office for the taxpayers.
He's a despicable, sleazebag politician.
Among other things.
Posted by Afraid of Randy | February 11, 2009 11:03 AM
Commissionersam.com is back online, but now requires a logon id/password to post new comments.
Nixonian twist: there's no link to create a new logon id/password.
Did the "Beau B" posts survive the scrubbing?
Posted by Hello | February 11, 2009 11:46 AM
From http://www.eff.org/issues/anonymity
Anonymous communications have an important place in our political and social discourse. The Supreme Court has ruled repeatedly that the right to anonymous free speech is protected by the First Amendment. A much-cited 1995 Supreme Court ruling in McIntyre v. Ohio Elections Commission reads:
Protections for anonymous speech are vital to democratic discourse. Allowing dissenters to shield their identities frees them to express critical, minority views . . . Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority. . . . It thus exemplifies the purpose behind the Bill of Rights, and of the First Amendment in particular: to protect unpopular individuals from retaliation . . . at the hand of an intolerant society.
Also, can we start putting pressure on Fritz and company via a recall of one of THEM? I know she's knew, but Randy or someone has been around. What if we recall him unless he steps up?
Posted by alan cordle | February 11, 2009 11:48 AM
but he could also ride out the storm and find the public willing to forgive or forget—not least because no local leaders appear eager to lead a recall push and risk the charges of homophobia.
This is the money line in the Slate article.
Posted by jimbo | February 11, 2009 12:28 PM
Oh, one more thign to think about the blog people being anonymous. If you remember, the loudest voice for reacall Sam was the Police Union.
Guess which group gets the budget cuts?
Posted by Steve | February 11, 2009 1:32 PM
Bill, I think I have the delivery just about done:
===
Did you hear about the Beau Breedlove career ladder?
You start out as a city hall intern, and the next thing you know, you're sitting on the Mayor's staff.
Now wait, don't laugh, the Mayor has been very supportive. He's been behind Beau all the way!
I hear the job had lots of hands on experience.
Beau's resume:
Strong written and oral skills.
Posted by a non | February 11, 2009 1:48 PM
Jack, I see that you got a mention in the Oregonian this morning:
Metro, C2
"Adams staff reopens part of old Web site"
paragraph 9:
"Portland blogger Jack Bogdanski criticized Adams' decision to take the site private over the weekend."
While the paragraph is abominably written and typifies the failing editorial standards of the only surviving Statewide paper, it was nice to see your name in print.
Posted by NW Portlander | February 11, 2009 2:07 PM
It seems to me there needs to be a viable candidate to replace Sam ASAP if a recall is going to happen.......
any prospects?
Steve Novick?
Posted by John Peterson | February 11, 2009 2:46 PM
When is the last time we had an actual grown-up as mayor? You oppose Potter's plan to rename Interstate Avenue, you are labeled a racist. You opine that Sam Adams lacks integrity, you are labeled homophobic. I guess that is what progressives do, they simply call you names if you don't agree with them. No wonder any recall advocates prefer anonymity right now.
Posted by Irene | February 11, 2009 3:09 PM
I'd drop $20, maybe even $50, on an organized recall. As for Novick being mayor, I'd ask for my money back. We need a bland accountant type running the city, not another spendthrift democrat, or even "Rockfellar-type" republican for that matter.
Posted by Bob Clark | February 11, 2009 3:15 PM
Yeah, well asking for registration to post comments on commissionersam did not happen soon ehough apparently, considering there are several SPAM comments and even POSTS, resulting in the second link on his "recent Posts" lists (visible on the main page) to be for "Vintage Gay Porn". An unintended coincidence surely. His web staff may want to take the site back down until they can clean the database.
Posted by Markalope | February 11, 2009 3:36 PM
Hi All,
Thanks for the wealth of information in this posting and comments.
It is a work in progress but here is a response to some of the great points brought up in this blog post:
http://www.citizenrecall.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=142:response-to-bojack&catid=48:political&Itemid=41
If you have any questions you would like answered privately please email press@recallsamadams.com and one of our volunteers will reply back to you as soon as they can.
Thanks,
RecallSamAdams.com
Jasun Wurster
Posted by RecallSamAdams.com | February 11, 2009 3:46 PM
I have been "putting presssure" on Amanda through e-mails and phone calls to her office. She has responded back to one of the e-mails saying that she feels the Attorney General's office investigation needs to play out. To my mind, she wants to DISREGARD ORS regs. and the idea, (as other licensing boards across the state hold certain certain professions to higher ethical standards not just criminal standards)that an elected official needs to be held to a higher standard. I guess that makes her a theif for taking our money and not listening to her constituents and Sam a Liar.
I say out with them both and maybe the whole group. Keep the pressure on....
Posted by Teresa McGuire | February 11, 2009 4:23 PM
I am interested in the way our mayor has been weakened by staying on, and by the way the whole city will suffer from city players' legitimate fear of retaliation. I think that the idea of a commission meeting to air citizen concerns is a good one. By the way, what happened at the economic cabinet meeting last Wednesday? I thought it was unfortunate that Julia Brim-Edwards, who has represented the Portland School Board for many years, was scheduled to represent Nike at the meeting. It seems like a no win situation for her, given Sam Adams' conduct with a seventeen year old and his mendacity with the voters.
Posted by Stephanie G. Pierce | February 11, 2009 4:47 PM
I would be very willing to take a leave of absence from my job and lobby for the Mayor's resignation full time; but I will require $3,500/month in salary.
I believe Mayor Adams can be recalled, but only if the AG's investigation yields new lies/indiscretions or an indictment.
Posted by Mister Tee | February 11, 2009 5:48 PM
Jack,
The Facebook page you refer to is done by me and I have no connection to the recall effort. I am just a person who feels Adams needs to be held accountable for his lies. I really have no idea who is behind the "official" recall effort. I just started the Facebook group to get the word out about Adams and start a group of like minded people.
Posted by Daniel M Potter | February 11, 2009 6:32 PM
I think it's a good thing to do, especially given how viral Facebook has become. I just joined your group, and think others should do the same.
Posted by Jack Bog | February 11, 2009 6:36 PM