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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Portland Mayor Will Stick With Job Despite Intern Affair

'I can still contribute,' says Adams

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(Newser) – Portland Mayor Sam Adams has decided not to step down, pending state criminal investigations, after admitting he lied about an affair with a teenage legislative intern. "I know I've screwed up and let people down," the city's first openly gay mayor told the Oregonian. "But I still think I have a positive contribution to make." 

Adams finally admitted the 2005 affair last week after repeated denials, but both he and his former lover have said they did not have sex when the intern was underage. The intern has remained supportive of the mayor. "I was not unfairly influenced by Sam. I saw it as a friendship that crossed the line a couple of times," said the former intern, who is now 21.

Portland residents attend a rally supporting Portland mayor Sam Adams last week.
Portland residents attend a rally supporting Portland mayor Sam Adams last week.   (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)
Portland Oregon Mayor Sam Adams has decided not to step down despite admitting he lied about a sexual relationship he had with a teenage legislative intern in 2005.
Portland Oregon Mayor Sam Adams has decided not to step down despite admitting he lied about a sexual relationship he had with a teenage legislative intern in 2005.
Hundreds of people gather outside City Hall holding signs and chanting their support for Portland mayor Sam Adams at a rally in Portland, Ore., last week.
Hundreds of people gather outside City Hall holding signs and chanting their support for Portland mayor Sam Adams at a rally in Portland, Ore., last week.   (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)
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A statement from Portland Mayor Sam Adams asking for forgiveness as he returns to City Hall. Video was produced by the City of Portland and first posted to MayorSamAdams.com.   (BikePortland)

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I've learned some really important lessons, and I know I have to work hard to rebuild trust. All I can do is show up on Monday morning and start that process. - Sam Adams, Portland Mayor

I think we're living in a fairly sane city that is caught up in some very crazy antics. I do not understand what he is possibly thinking at this point. I do not know how he comes back and expects to get anything done. - Commissioner Randy Leonard

It's not going to be easy for him. Assuming there are no other issues out there—and I have to take him at his word on that—there won't be room for any mistakes or lapses in his administration. - James Hester, council representative

I do not see any relationship that I ever had with Sam as me being taken advantage of. I do not feel like I was ever a victim. I may have been 17, but I was an adult, and I knew what I was doing. - Beau Breedlove

I saw it as a friendship that had crossed the line a couple of times, but I saw it as a friendship. When I say cross the line, I don't mean as an unwarranted or unwanted affection. I just didn't see it as something with any potential. - Beau Breedlove

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4 comments
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Mad
Jan 26, 09 2:03 PM CST
Well, other than lying about it, I don't see what's so wrong. They were both adults. I don't care what they did after hours Reply
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PaleRider
Jan 26, 09 3:28 PM CST
Another Democrat does something unethical and decides to keep his job. Why do articles never mention a Democrats affiliation, but when writing about Republicans, the party's name is every other word in the article. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Mad
Jan 26, 09 7:13 PM CST
Why? In a word: Hypocrisy
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Shannonals
Jan 26, 09 4:43 PM CST
It's not that he had an affair, (not sure affair is the right term, since I don't believe he ever married his "life" partner), it's whether or not the intern was underage Reply
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