The blogosphere – or the Republican neighborhoods in it, anyway – is abuzz with news of a “sex scandal” involving Democratic state senator and state treasurer candidate Ben Westlund and a former State Capitol aide.
Well, it’s not completely news: The fact that Westlund made unwelcome sexual advances toward Debbie Boone, now a state legislator from Cannon Beach, back in 1997 came out two years ago. But this week somebody leaked to The Associated Press a copy of a confidential letter in which Boone said Westlund went further than giving her an “unwanted hug,” as she said publicly in 2006.
According to the letter, Westlund – then a freshman Republican House member – touched Boone on the hip, grabbed her leg and put his hand under her skirt and rubbed her leg on three separate occasions in 1997.
The gang over on the NW Republican blog were getting their jollies from the story.
“Not sounding good for the current Democrat poster boy who wants to oversee the investment decisions of the state of Oregon,” chortled “Coyote.” “Because you would think that the party of Anita Hill will jump all over Ben Westlund for his history of unwanted sexual advancements against women. (Please hear the sarcasm dripping thick.)”
We hear it, Coyote, we hear it.
The Bulletin (subscription only) – which made the story the top item on its front page today – reported that Boone said “she was stunned that the letter somehow ended up in the hands of the press. The letter and Westlund’s apology were filed with the House clerk, and copies were provided to the Democratic leader and the Republican leader, and all were supposed to remain sealed, she said.”
No charges were ever filed, Westlund offered a written apology and the matter was settled amicably, according to both Westlund and Boone – who, in fact, has endorsed Westlund in his state treasurer bid.
“I had to document what I was concerned about, and I was guaranteed this would never come out,” Boone was quoted as saying in The Bulletin. “There was a confidentiality agreement. Ben and I have settled our issue, it’s a non-issue, but somebody [is] trying to make it an issue again.”
Westlund campaign spokeswoman Stacey Dycus told The Oregonian that the recycled story is just an election-year smear.
“This is typical Republican smear tactics from political operatives feeling desperate about their Republican candidates’ chances of winning statewide office,” she said. “Voters are tired of their politics of personal destruction and the distraction from the real issues that the treasurer can help on: health care, education and the economy.”
Why are Republicans making a big deal out of this, when the state treasurer race isn’t normally something to get worked up about? The Eye can think of two possible reasons:
One, they hate Westlund for switching parties and dropping his independent gubernatorial bid in 2006 to endorse incumbent Ted Kulongoski over Republican Ron Saxton.
Two, if he wins the state treasurer’s job Westlund will be considered a likely future Democratic prospect for the governorship.
This article appears in Jul 31 – Aug 6, 2008.
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The Bulletin had a follow-up to the Westlund story at the top of their front page today. I guess they’ll be trying to keep this “scandal” alive on life support until election day.
And why isn’t somebody investigating who leaked Boone’s confidential letter? If there was a confidentiality agreement it would seem there was some breach of law here.
Bruce, I’ll bet you a $20 they editorialize on it Sunday.
Stacey, you were wrong. But I’m sure they’ll get around to it eventually.
BTW the Oregon Catalyst site has a post saying it was wrong for the GOP to dredge this issue up again.
That letter is eleven years old and Westlund ran four times as a R and once as an I(who was taking votes from a D) and the letter didn’t appear. Now he looks poised to win it is walked into the AP’s office?
Cain says it was a Republican, so, whether or not it was Alley directly, it was done on his behalf and he didn’t denounce the tactic.
His consultant does have a past working with Rove.
And The Bulletin has the story on the top of Page One again on Sunday — three days in a row.
An “objective” news source? ROTFLMAO!!!
The Bulletin’s political reporter must have a tough assignment: To write 1500 words on the Westlund ‘story’ each day, using key words such as “Westlund” and “grope” in at least two paragraphs. Why do I expect to see the headline “Day Four of the Westlund Saga”, four columns wide, on tomorrow’s A-1?
The Bully has been on a witch hunt since Ben dropped out of the Gov race and it hurt their boy Saxton.
Remember the Bulletin did nine editorials against Westlund’s bill to protect the Metolius from destination resorts.
Sinks is a fair reporter, the ed board though needs some fresh blood that represents Bend. Trejbal was the only voice of reason til they fired him.
the Bully has to find some excuse for their endorsement of alley and they can’t say he’s more qualified or experienced or even has depth of knowledge of the issues.
Predictably, there’s an editorial today reaming Westlund. Also predictably, they dredged up his DUI bust from 10 years ago.
Any day now I expect an expose revealing that Westlund pulled a little girl’s pigtails when he was in the third grade.
The DUI was the 80’s. Ben has been sober for decades.
It would be nice to have some balance on the ed page- if only Source readers fed up with their constant harping on Ben would write a letter of support about all of the good things he has done for the district: OSU, civil rights, renewable energy, education.
Haven’t seen much about this “story” in the real news media, but The Bulletin and the NW Republican blog are doing their damnedest to keep it alive.
“It would be nice to have some balance on the ed page”
Ha! Dream on! I’d settle for a little less intellectual dishonesty.
The Bulletin editorial page has always been conservative, but at least under Bob Chandler it was (generally) fair and honest.
NW Republican has about as much credibility as the gum on my shoe. Ted Picollo has it out for Ben for ending term limits. The Bully today was hilarious bringing up a 20+ year old DUI that Ben sought treatment after. It was known the first time he ran. They are desperate.
Ben has made mistakes, but he owns them and learns from them.
Funny how the republicans want to bring this up. A dangerous move on their part as they are the ones getting busted in public restrooms having sex with underage boys.