There are times when we get it right — and wish we hadn’t.
The credibility problems now swirling around Gov. John Kitzhaber are one of those occasions.
The Oregonian, the state’s largest newspaper that endorsed Kitzhaber just weeks ago, and in three other elections, took the rare stand this week of calling for his resignation.
The reason for that demand is the distraction caused by continuing ethical questions involving the role of Kitzhaber’s fiancée Cylvia Hayes, in government policy-making.
The Chronicle’s seven-member editorial board saw the growing scandal as one reason not to support Kitzhaber’s re-election to a historical fourth term.
Last fall, we came to the unanimous decision that Kitzhaber’s toxic relationship with Hayes was not a good deal for Oregon.
There have been multiple reports that Hayes accepted compensation as a consultant on energy and economic development while also serving as an unpaid advisor to the governor on those issues.
Although the problems with Hayes were just surfacing in October, we felt the scandal was likely to interfere in Kitzhaber’s ability to make sound decisions involving 3.9 million Oregonians.
After reviewing the failure of the Cover Oregon website at the loss of $200 million to taxpayers, and Kitzhaber’s other questionable judgement, we arrived at the conclusion that citizens were not better off since his election to a third term in 2010.
It seems that the majority of Wasco County voters felt the same way. Dennis Richardson, the Republican challenger of Kitzhaber, scored 49.83 percent of the vote compared to the incumbent’s 43.29 percent.
With that said, we don’t want to see the Oregonian and other newspapers jump on the bandwagon to drive Kitzhaber out of office. None of us have the facts yet. Neither the governor nor Hayes, who he calls the “first lady” have been charged with wrongdoing.
If it becomes clear that Kitzhaber was complicit in allowing his office to be used for the gain of the woman he loves, it will be time for a decision about his fitness to serve.
It is important to remember that Kitzhaber was put in Mahonia Hall by a majority of voters statewide.
That he now operates with less credibility is his yoke to bear. There are consequences for bad choices and only time will reveal how destructive his relationship with Hayes really is. It should be a wakeup call to Kitzhaber that the Oregonian has turned against him so completely. Even as he staunchly defends Hayes, it is a good sign that he appears to be taking steps to distance her from his office.
Kitzhaber needs to keep in mind that this is his final term, the one that sets his legacy —and he still has time to turn things around.
He was re-elected after eight years in office because of his progressive vision. He has the opportunity not to leave in disgrace if he makes the right choices.
Either way, the clock is now ticking on his administration.
The Oregonian has launched a campaign that could gather enough momentum to take him down, or Kitzhaber could find a way to regain trust.
We can’t predict the outcome of this mess — we just wish it hadn’t happened in the first place.
Commented