This Week in the Mercury
Thursday, May 14, 2009
News / Politics Sam Adams Kickout Campaign Event
Posted by Matt Davis on Thu, May 14, 2009 at 9:17 PM
What a bloody circus. Nick's Coney Island was packed to the gills when I got there at 6:15—people were flooding out the door, Victoria Taft was on air from the table in the window, and recall spokesman Jasun Wurster was wearing a tie. Repeat, Jasun Wurster was wearing a tie. Tucked in. To some chinos. Mercury fashion editor Marjorie Skinner's tips may have made an impact, after all.
The inevitable question, of course, is: How much more credible is the recall campaign now, than it was before the event? The answer, I think, is moderately more credible, but only a little. More after the jump.
The majority of the crowd at Nick's were middle-aged and blue collar. Not the same folks one saw during the election campaign, that's for sure. A lot of them were overheard discussing Jack Bogdanski's blog.
Boston were playing Orlando on the TVs, and pictures of Babe Ruth and Larry Bird adorned the walls. There were chili dogs and mac and cheese—full disclosure, I ate three chili dogs and half a plate of mac and cheese. They were pretty good. The restrooms had "jocks" and "cheerleaders" written on the doors. I'm a cheerleader, right?
"How have we gotten to where we are now?" asked Wurster. "Political apathy."
He talked about Sam Adams' "political thuggery." But the biggest cheer of the evening came when someone asked, "Are we going to start a recall for Randy Leonard as well?"
Diane Manser, a retired Portlander, was wearing a t-shirt with Sam Adams' face on it, and the words "STOP THE EMBARRASSMENT" written on it.
"I've lived here 50 years," she said. "And I've never been politically active until now, but I went out and got this t-shirt printed. I have friends in Chicago who called me and said they can go on Youtube and see Portland on there as a joke. I don't think Portland is a joke."
Nick's owner Tyler Rogoway announced $2.50 beers after Wurster was done. "I'm totally sick of lying politicians," he said. "It's not that they did something they regret, it's that they can't come out and be honest. Instead it was a big cover up. This isn't about left, right, up, or down, it's about getting some honesty back into politics."
Bill Fuller, a retired media salesman, was outside having a beer after the event. "I came down to see what was going on," he said. "I guess I'd support a recall because I'm concerned about the number of what appear to be lies."
"Contrary to popular belief, this isn't about a right wing campaign to get rid of a gay mayor," said Dale Clark, a computer technician. "It's about a man who used the public purse for hush money. It was corrupt and inappropriate, and it speaks volumes."
But there were signs of anti-gay sentiment.
"This isn't about liberal or conservative," said Jeff Taylor, who was walking around with a campaign placard reading 'Jeff Taylor, The Family Mayor.' "It's not okay to kiss a 17-year-old boy. That's what this is about. End of story."
Others tried to downplay the symbolic significance of the right-wing talk show host and the anti-kissing statements.
"It's not half Christian homophobes and then normal people here," said Jeremy Ginsberg, a writer. "Although he's already got his Nazi campaign running," gesturing to Taylor. "I hope the press don't seize on this and run with it."
"I'm just curious as to whether we're going to give the same treatment to Adams as we gave to [former police chief] Derrick Foxworth," said Les Shannon, a campaign volunteer. "It seems like Adams is a privileged son of the city. It's favoritism."
Wurster was pleased with the turnout. "I wish we'd had a bigger venue," he said.
There was also a bit of tension out in the street. "Everybody lies, constantly," said a passerby.
"But not as much as he did," responded another man, attending the recall, as a security guard looked on.
"I came for amusement as an anarchist," said the Reverend Jordan Feathers, who runs a non-profit pagan collective, and was smoking outside. "This was funny. I dig it."
Showing 1-41 of 41
"Contrary to popular belief, this isn't about a right wing campaign to get rid of a gay mayor"
Then what was Victoria Taft doing broadcasting from there?
The silent acceptance of Vera Katz and Sam's fellow city commissioners, which seems to exhibit lack of concern about ethical behaviors and the welfare of our city, is deafening.
"full disclosure, I ate three chili dogs and half a plate of mac and cheese. They were pretty good."
Matt -
The only Long Coneys in our area worth having are served from a modified/expanded/mutilated trailer on 99E in Oak Grove, for generations. I will personally take you there and buy you lunch, at your beck and call, to prove this to you. Roake's.
(PS... There is also an offshoot of Roake's run by members of the same family on Columbia Blvd. Good stuff. But it has to come from a trailer, or it isn't real.)
I'm confused. A bunch of teabaggers want to recall Sam Adams for his Long Coney?
"A bunch of teabaggers want to recall Sam Adams for his Long Coney?"
Yes, and they believe they have direct personal knowledge about same.
Bob, where were you? I got to sit with Ms T while you schmoozed with your keyboard. There were some hot gay and other men there, contrary to Matt's descriptions...and the blond transvestite, well, say no more.
Didn't you know that 70% of Americans agree with eachother on most political questions, but that the flawed design of our electoral system has the extremes controlling the levers and creating a myth of polarization?
"Didn't you know that 70% of Americans agree with eachother on most political questions, but that the flawed design of our electoral system has the extremes controlling the levers and creating a myth of polarization?"
What's your point, gonetorio?
If fewer than 70% subsequently vote for Sam Adams' recall, how does that affect your position? I'm not sure what you're getting at, other than the fact that I didn't personally attend a Recall-Adams event, but career-homophobe Victoria Taft did.
My point is that it's time to find common ground and move forward.
And that it was fun, (even with the one or two homophobes there, it was fun...the "pro-family" mayoral candidate looked like he was on institutional furlough), and we missed you.
Well, on that note, I missed you too. (Do I know you?). Regardless, g'nite all.
"This isn't about left, right, up, or down". How about up up down down left right left right b a start? I'd buy that for a dollar!
I don't know anything about Jeff Taylor, but if the kissing statement is what Matt says is the "evidence" of anti-gay sentiment, I call b.s. I agree with the statement that it's not ok for a 42 year old man to kiss a 17 year old boy. Now ask me about a 42 year old man kissing another 42 year old man, or hell, even a 24 year old man, and I'll ask to see the pictures.
This couldn't be playing out better for Sam. Too bad, I was looking forward to a slight improvement in governance.
By the way, wearing a tie with a short sleeve shirt is worse than wearing a hoodie. That's not meant as a knock on Jasun. it's just the truth.
'"Everybody lies, constantly," said a passerby.'
I weep for the future, when it will be considered too judgmental and "right wing" to hold anyone to any standards whatsoever.
Personally, I don't lie much at all - and I don't tell any big lies, just little stuff to protect people's feelings and the like. I feel sorry for people who think lying is no big deal. Though I feel worse for their friends and family.
"as a security guard looked on."
Wait, what? There were security guards?
Matt and Viki should form a campaign consultancy, with both wearing green tennies. Then, when I am Mayor, I could ordain a coed-head in City Hall...has anyone noticed that gay people of either persuasion have an advantage that way?
Jeff Taylor is a serial candidate who got fewer votes last year than four years previously. Pleasant enough, but the sign does bug me. He came in fourth in 08, behind a charming and intelligent lady, Patricia Stuart, whom I would vote for in a heartbeat.
You had to SEE the security guard. Where's the videotape?
Snapshots...
Victoria Taft, looking exactly like a murderous falcon, hunkered down in her perch at the front booth
Koin guy, tall, smooth, also rather avian, totally struck by all the pressing of the flesh
Jasun, passionate, warm, brimming with a good vibe, and like a minor god striking at the heart of cynicism and apathy...and, fashionable, by Portland eclectia standards...
Sexy guy at the bar, executive for lockheed martin, there for the ride, not interested in recalling now, might be later. Wanted to know if i'd ever lied...admitted he had lied, many many times. We agreed we had neither of us ever wanted to run for mayor, ever. He ventured that, in Europe, people wouldn't care...when I responded, no city in Europe would EVER vote in someone who was open about sexy time with a teenager, a light of recognition flickered in his eyes, "yeah, i guess you're right"....after all, Brussels was the city where a mob of firefighters went in their trucks and hosed down the government buildings in a big demonstration a decade or two ago, when it was discovered that there was a pedophile ring in high government echalons. (In the meantime, our firefighter political presence consists of...Randy Leonard.)
Hot guy of undefined sexual persuasion wearing THE MOST AMAZING violet shirt in the world, blackberrying or ipoding or kindling away in full view of proceedings the whole night
Teenaged/ultra-nerdy looking, very sincere sweet kid in fifties glasses there because he can't take much more of this
Rondine Ghiselline, godess, gorgeous, tall, sculpted, warm, ... we need her to move to Portland and run for commissioner....I'd go watch her every wednesday through eternity...
Many middle plus aged gals there of all classes and sizes, obviously smart social mavens and active denizons, out for political entertainment..
Tall older leftiy hippie cyclist small business owner, "I didn't care about breedlove, but the shit that's gone down since then, i can get thousands of signatures..."
Ex paramedic who ran a referendum campaign here twenty years ago who methodically, incisively, clearly laid out exactly what's involved in signature gathering...
Drunks.
People, like, everyone there, cheering wildly at the mention of recalling Randy Leonard....
Portland, i love you....
It's funny that it's at Nick's Coney.
"The majority of the crowd at Nick's were middle-aged and blue collar. Not the same folks one saw during the election campaign, that's for sure. A lot of them were overheard discussing Jack Bogdanski's blog."
Nick's Coney is owned by the same people that own LaRog Jewlers. hmmm....
CH, the short-sleeves and tie combo is fine, just the wrong color. Give Jasun a white shirt and he'll look like he's in NASA's engineering dept 40 years ago, which seems like it should be a valid retro look.
Come on quoting Jeff Taylor as evidence that there is an anti gay vibe to the recall? Is this reporting? This makes as much sense as getting Carrie Prejean on the phone and asking her opinion. He is one guy with his very own political agenda and he does not represent the recall effort.
I also take exception with the fact that if you don't agree that kissing a 17 year old (having sex according to at least one security guard) when you are a 42 year old makes you homophobic. Even that Sam supporting hypocrite, Dan Savage, encourages parents to protect their teenage gay sons as they would a daughter of the same age. (Like a Daughter, Savage Love) I completely agree. A teenager of any age and orientation deserves our protection and advocacy. A public official who would flaunt our statutory laws and prey on a teen has no business in public office. Implying that a young gay teen deserves less protection and advocacy (because of their sexual orientation) is homophobic and just plain wrong. Again that’s my opinion and the recall efforts focus is solely civic transgressions so it’s not even going there.
All in all I thought it was a good and decent crowd with a few exceptions. As my 6 year old daughter said after her fourth (on the house) Shirley Temple "Why can't Sam just go find a new job so we can all go to the park and have some real fun?" Why indeed.
"The majority of the crowd at Nick's were middle-aged and blue collar. Not the same folks one saw during the election campaign, that's for sure."
I'm not sure what that is supposed to mean. Seen during what aspect of the election campaign? Are you implying that they don't actually vote? What are you talking about?
@Rondine
I think Chrisitanist Victoria Taft broadcasting live from Nick's and Lars Larson promoting the event probably cemented the homophobic element more so than Jim Taylor alone.
Thanks for saying you were there. So now we're saying out of the estimated 50-75 people (estimates vary between news reports) that were there there were 3 TV news crews (6 people), at least 3 reporters from local papers...maybe more but the Tribune hasn't posted anything yet, a bunch of people eating for happy hour that didn't know the event was happening, and a lady from West Linn and her kid.
So we're up to a little over 20%-30% of the audience there because they were being paid to be there, happened to be there on accident after work, or don't get to vote in Portland elections.
This isn't convincing me there is a prayer this recall is happening if there isn't an indictment from Kroger.
Keep in mind, Garrett, that the "lady from West Linn" will be out collecting signatures to recall your Mayor this summer, starting July 1st.
You are welcome to grab a clipboard and join in anytime during the recall process.
Rondine - as has been said many times before on here, getting signatures is the easy part. This is Portland, people will sign anything (see some of the ballot measures that have qualified over the last few years). That doesn't mean the vote itself will be even close.
For the recall to be successful would require complete silence on the issue right up until vote day from any and all religious homophobes, Sam's known political opponents (who would be seen to be in it for their own interests), right-wing radio hosts (Larson, Taft etc), and non-Portlanders. Having vocal support in the media from any of those four constituencies will be poison to the recall campaign, because Portlanders don't want to be told what to do by them. We're talking about recalling a mayor who, unless the AG says otherwise, hasn't broken a single law (despite the ridiculous claims to the contrary), so it won't take much to put people off voting to recall. However well-intentioned Jason's motives may be, unless he can find a way to silence that bunch he's doomed. Good luck with that.
Maybe the smartest thing Sam could do to keep his job would be to get a large religious anti-gay protest outside city hall organized for the day before the voting starts...
The homophobes will be just smart enough to keep quiet and the exercise of doing so will civilize them slightly, even in spite of their own natures. Every drop counts, and to all you nay-sayers- didn't you also say Obama couldn't win?
I knew Bob R would be here defending Sam Adams.
Re Larson and Taft: if most left-leaning Portlanders (~75% of us?) are like me, they will have no idea whether the issue is on the radio or not, because we don;t listen to those people. It's a non-issue.
[Automatic copy-paste response, for none other is needed anymore: VanSmack is a troll profile created on February 18th for the purpose of insulting me and spreading lies about me. A cursory review of VanSmack's comment history will reveal a narrowly-focused personal vendetta -- however, VanSmack continues to choose to hide behind a pseudonym rather than deal with real people in the real world.]
"as has been said many times before on here, getting signatures is the easy part."
Maybe...they still need 32,000 and like Jasun says...they will be going for 50,000 because that's likely the amount they'll need to qualify for the ballot. They aren't paying signature gatherers and every time the news talks about the recall they talk to or about Lars Larson. He's toxic to Portlanders. Without an indictment the chances of this happening are so slim its almost comical. But whatever...if that's what they want to spend their time on.
You know what else Portlanders hate? When outsiders get involved in our political process. Please Rondine, be sure to wear a button saying "Citizen of West Linn, I like to stick my nose in other people's business."
@BlackedOut Don't forget Lake Oswego, they're just as unimportant!
"the homophobes will be just smart enough to keep quiet"
Wanna put some money on that?
Looks absolutely puny compared to the pro-Sam rally in front of City Hall.
So much for all of that.
Um, bd, the vast majority of portlanders are not ralliers. Especially in this case, because we are a liberal utopia and noone wants to be associated with a tar-and-feather rally. The truth is bad enough without having to stand on a street corner holding up a stupid sign about it.
It remains to be seen what proportion of that vast majority of non-ralliers will vote for a recall.
I think the 400 Sam-I-am people who showed up at city hall have had some time to assimilate the magnitude of our local lunacy situation and will not be rallying too much.
But bd, please come to city council and speak to publically demonstrate your support for your mayor, extolling his every virtue.
He would love that.
FYI, KATU has a new professionally-done poll (as opposed to a worthless web poll) out showing strong support for the idea of a recall, but less strong support for the idea of actually signing a petition. They discussed this in their 5PM newscast, but haven't posted the results online yet.
And none of this changes the fact that Roake's has superior Long Coneys.
I can't believe I'm saying this. Jack Bog is essentially saying exactly what I've been saying.
http://bojack.org/2009/05/how_not_to_recal…
Probably this nefarious episode will not be decided by anything resembling an election. Jasun's effort has helped keep people aware and focused; the hoodie scam itself was brilliant political theater.
Threat of a recall is but one jaw of a four-fold vise slowly closing on Slam Adams. One jaw is John Kroger, of course. Another is Mike Schrunk, who must at least avoid the appearance of politics as above the law with respect to the Slam's monster bash at Car Toys. The final jaw is alienation of the gay and the greenie vote--call this one the Thomas Lauderdale effect.
Before long Kroger and Schrunk (real genius, getting both the AG and the DA on one's case) will hold a lovely formal press conference announcing that Adams has agreed to resign in consideration of facing lesser charges. These guys are lawyers, and lawyers will figure out how to cut a deal.
Give it a few more weeks.
Wurster's rocking the Michael Douglas in Falling Down/Radio Shack manager short sleeve & tie look, and of course the seven self-identifying Republicans we still have in Portland were there. They're certainly a doofy lot and not anyone I'd want to be stuck in a two-hour car ride with.
However..
Adams has unfortunately turned out to be awful mayor. I liked the guy, supported him, and voted for him, but he really needs to be put out to pasture. I base this on the bulk of his decisions, not the Breedlove incident.
I would emphasize his proposed vote trading scheme with Ted Wheeler to fund Sellwood bridge repairs in exchange for supporting his proposed Convention Center hotel as the best example of why a recall is needed.
I'll take a Ted wheeler to go,
I'll take a Ted wheeler to stay
I'll take a Ted wheeler all the way
If he can just make Sam go the fuck away...
Seriously, people are STILL obsessing over their Mayor's sex life? What the fuck?
hart ryan noeker
If that's what you call a sex life, then you must not be getting anything satisfactory yourself, which would imply that perhaps it is you, who is obsessed.
Small Group Business Coaching
Group Coaching For Businesses On A Budget!
The Group Coaching will bring several qualities into your business development: Business Coaching, Collaboration of other businesses, sounding board and multiple skill sets.
Band of the Week
Heroes & Villains
About Portland Mercury
RSSGoing to Seattle?
Comments (41) RSS