$10 Billion Blackmail for the Democrat Party
Dear Democrat Party, $14.4 billion paid to me or I will take away your minority vote. This is arguably the best offer you ever had to maintain your plantatio...
By: AaronClarey
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$10 Billion Blackmail for the Democrat Party - Video
Rumble: Why a GOP Senator Became a Democrat Today
Jennifer Kerns, Washington Times / The Blaze Christy Setzer, New Heights Communications Shelby Emmett, Project 21 all join Thom Hartmann. Former Republican Mississippi State Senator Tim...
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Rumble: Why a GOP Senator Became a Democrat Today - Video
April 2013 file photo shows Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber in his office in Salem KOIN-TV
Under fire over alleged ethics violations, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber announced Friday that he would resign from office effective Wednesday, February 18, capping off a chaotic week during which he appeared to be on the verge of stepping down, only to change his mind.
Kitzhaber, a Democrat, made the announcement in a letter sent to Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown, The Oregonian newspaper reports.
"It is not in my nature to walk away from a job I have undertaken - it is to stand and fight for the cause," Kitzhaber said in a statement issued on Friday. "For that reason I apologize to all those people who gave of their faith, time, energy and resources to elect me to a fourth term last year and who have supported me over the past three decades."
"Nonetheless, I understand that I have become a liability to the very institutions and policies to which I have dedicated my career and, indeed, my entire adult life," he added.
Kitzhaber has been under investigation by the state's attorney general over allegations that his fiance, Cylvia Hayes, used her relationship with the governor to solicit business for her green energy firm. On Thursday, the attorney general ordered Hayes to hand over emails from private accounts in which state business was discussed, according to the Associated Press. Hayes' lawyer indicated she opposed the request, and she has seven days to comply or appeal.
Kitzhaber attested to his innocence in the matter in Friday's statement. "I am confident that I have not broken any laws nor taken any actions that were dishonest or dishonorable in their intent or outcome," he wrote. "That is why I asked both the Ethics Commission and the Attorney General to take a full and comprehensive look at my actions - and I will continue to fully cooperate with those ongoing efforts."
Because Oregon does not have a lieutenant governor, Kitzhaber will be succeeded by Brown. A progressive Democrat, Brown is married to a man, but she identifies as bisexual. She'll be the first openly bisexual governor in United States history. She will not serve the remainder of Kitzhaber's term, but will instead have to run for reelection to a full term in 2016.
On Thursday, Brown described a strange series of interactions with Kitzhaber that appeared to demonstrate the governor's ambivalence about resigning. She said Kitzhaber called her back to Oregon from a conference in Washington, D.C., fueling speculation that his resignation was imminent.
When she returned home, though, Kitzhaber asked her why she came, according to the Associated Press. He said he would not resign but then proceeded to have a conversation with her about what a succession process would look like.
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Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber to resign amid ethics woes
By TIM FOUGHT and JEFF BARNARD Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The resignation of Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber instantly promoted the liberal Democrat who is next in line to succeed him: the 54-year-old secretary of state who has long been thought to have her eye on Oregon's top elected position.
Kate Brown, who is widely considered to be to the left of the departing Democratic governor, will also become the first openly bisexual governor in the nation. She will not assume office until Wednesday, when Kitzhaber's resignation takes effect. He is stepping down amid suspicions that his fiancee used their relationship to land contracts for her green-energy consulting business.
"This is a sad day for Oregon. But I am confident that legislators are ready to come together to move Oregon forward," Brown said Friday. "I know you all have a lot of questions, and I will answer them as soon as possible. As you can imagine, there is a lot of work to be done between now and Wednesday."
Unlike most states, Oregon has no lieutenant governor. Under the state constitution, the secretary of state takes over if a governor steps down or dies. That has happened eight times since statehood, according to the Blue Book, the state government almanac.
Until recent weeks, the assumptions were that Kitzhaber would finish his full, fourth term and Brown would be a top contender in 2018 to succeed him.
The new job will require her to start running for election immediately, said Ron Cease, a retired professor of political science and public administration at Portland State University who served in the Legislature with Brown.
Brown would not serve out Kitzhaber's full term, but would have to go on the ballot in the next general election in 2016.
"I would think the stress level is going to be enormous," Cease said.
Brown, a Minnesota native, came to Oregon to attend law school in Portland, the state's largest city, and established a family law practice before her first run for the Legislature.
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Governor's resignation puts spotlight on secretary of state
Florida Democrat calls Texas #39;crazy #39;
Florida Democrat calls Texas #39;crazy #39; Alcee Hastings tells Republican Michael C Burgess of Texas that his state is crazy and he wouldn #39;t live there for #39;all t...
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