Willamette Week reports Secretary of State Kate Brown is rushing back to take helm following reputed Kitzhaber resignation.
Image Credit: The Oregonian
Willamette Week reports the Secretary of State dropped everything–including a speaking engagement in Washington DC– and is now quickly returning back to Oregon. Kitzhaber’s planned tree planting for the Oregon Birthday on February 14th has been canceled. Both stories are fueling speculation of John Kitzhaber’s pending resignation.
From Willamette Week:
Her unexpected return from an east-coast conference of secretaries of state comes as Gov. John Kitzhaber is under intense pressure over an influence-peddling scandal involving himself and First Lady Cylvia Hayes.
Kitzhaber and Hayes are the subject of a criminal investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice and the FBI.
Brown would become governor if Kitzhaber resigns. WW examined her potential succession in today’s paper.
As Lars Larson puts it, “He’s chosen his girlfriend over the job.”
But let’s not go all King Edward II on this. Cylvia Hayes is no better than Wallis Simpson–in fact has less class, but let’s not fool ourselves here: John Kitzhaber is doing nothing noble by quitting now. He’s the walking advertising for ignobility. I would have had more respect for him if he’d come clean before the election.
More later.
Try saying Gov.Kate Brown, three times fast….without throwing up.
heard that
Hey! While I appreciated your article you may be assured of the fact that I did not appreciate at all your depreciating remarks directed toward my fathers cousin, Wallis Warfield Simpson. Wally was in a class not attainable by your referenced subject Please upgrade your manners.
Regards
George “Sonny” Yellott
Sorry, Sonny. I just knew the comparisons would begin. I wanted to head them off.
Hi Victoria,
Speaking of double standards and I can’t remember the exact quote or who I should attribute it to, but someone with wisdom said that for those who possess power, crimes are always committed by others.
Sort of the tack that Kitzhaber took today in his resignation when accusing the media of prosecuting, trying, and convicting him. The implication, of course, is that he did nothing wrong.
Pete
I can see a Dear John letter already being written…wonder how long Hayes stays with him now that John isn’t governor? Hayes comes across as an opportunist, not a loving wife, Kitz thinks he is getting…what was that he said, oh yeah…”She’s a wonderful woman”. Sorry John, I believe you have been duped, you should have cut her loose long ago. Just saying…
He used his job to help her. Broke the law. I imagine he’s probably done this before.