Central Oregonians sound off on Kitzhaber scandal

Comments are swirling surrounding Governor John Kitzhaber’s growing scandal. Central Oregonians are questioning their longest-serving governor, with many saying it’s time for him to go.

“Politically, he’s kind of boxed himself in,” OSU-Cascades political science professor James Foster told NewsChannel 21 Thursday.

He’s not the only one who thinks so. Many of KTVZ’s Facebook followers sounded off Thursday to express their opinions on the matter.

Mike commented on our page: “I figure he hasn’t gotten it right, so let someone else give it a try!”

State Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, said it’d be best to let democracy take its course.

“I’ve been one of those people who has not called for his resignation,” Knopp said Thursday, arriving home from Salem. “I believe he deserves the opportunity to be able to answer any charges after a thorough and fair investigation.”

Some Facebook and Web commenters took aim at Kitzhaber’s fiance – and the main focus surrounding the scandal – long-time Central Oregonian Cylvia Hayes.

Lisa wrote: “He doesn’t control what she did. He should resign the girlfriend. He did nothing wrong.”

Many Oregonians simply don’t know what to think about the recent controversy: McKinsey wrote on our page: “I don’t know if he ought to resign, given that the truth of things has not come into light. Only Kitzhaber knows if he ought to resign. I hope he searches for right action within himself and employs intellectual honesty.”