The Oregonian has broken the news that Oregon House Republican Leader Kevin Cameron stepped down from his position last month over worries about a brewing sex scandal.
The scandal? That Cameron, during a vacation to Palm Springs, visited a topless bar. According to the article, Cameron confirmed that “he abruptly stepped down last month, in part, because of a retaliatory threat that the public would find out about the night he and other GOP lawmakers—including [Matt] Wingard—spent at a California topless bar.”
The other part of Cameron’s reason to step down, apparently, was he was feeling stress after he allegedly threaten to go public with news that Representative Matt Wingard has tried to pressure a 20-year-old staffer into having sex with him and gave her alcohol while she was underage. Those allegations led to Wingard to withdraw his name from the ballot this fall.
But, honestly, I’m surprised rumors of going to a strip club even rise to the level of scandal. Sure, it’s not classy. But it’s not illegal or nonconsensual. It certainly doesn’t rise to the same level as allegations of pressuring a young staffer into a sexual relationship. A politician went to Palm Springs on his own dime. He saw some boobs. Who cares? (Besides voters in his district who may make voting decisions based on dumb things like someone going to a strip club once.) This clearly seems like someone who’s upset with Cameron is getting vindictive.
I’d agree w you, but Republicans are typically holier than thou, and this is the price they pay.
The word “scandal” is a bit hyperbolic. But at the same time this is the same group of men that represent women, families and daughters. These are the men voting for (or against) legislation for healthy teen relationships, workplace rights and women’s healthcare.
Their participation in the objectification of women and throwing money at them, at a place where the stratification of wealth is at its most apparent state speaks about these men’s views, beliefs and integrity.
The fact that a group of men went solidifies the notion of a “boy’s club” being present on the OR Rep legislature. Let’s progress.
TITTYGATE!
I DON’T GET IT. WHY ISN’T THIS GUY JUST SAYING, “YEAH, I LOOKED AT SOME BOOBIES. SO WHAT? WHY IS THIS A STORY?”
I think he leaked this story himself in response to rumors that he was a closet homosexual.
It gets hard on the road sometimes.
Orrrr, the full story about exactly what happened at that strip club isn’t out yet.
The activity isn’t illegal but it is inappropriate for an elected official. That is why they ran to California instead of saddling up to a stage in Portland. Wingard’s threat of blackmail wouldn’t carry much water unless there’s more to their weekend in Palm Springs.
Where’s there is smoke there is fire. Sarah Mirk still does investigative work, right?
Voters have a right to know.
What is really inappropriate for a person to do is lie about an encounter with an underage same-sex partner to get elected to public office. Cameron has no reason to step down. Sarah Mirk is obviously biased in her columns. It’s great how liberals just relish taking conservatives down instead of working together with them for the common good. Stupid, really. And really stupid.
@SJR: REALLY GLAD TO SEE YOU READ PAST THE HEADLINE.
Then why write the article, D&W? For positive reinforcement of conservative values? The devil is in the details, son.
(Still hasn’t read the article.)
The real scandal here is that he went to a California strip club instead supporting a local Oregon strip club.