[rs913]

Local news reporting tonight that he had an affair with his campaign manager's wife (http://www.sfist.com/archives/2007/01/31/holy_crap.php#comments)!

[BTinSF]

I have to admit I am extremely disappointed the affair wasn't with the (male) campaign manager himself (and that would have been smarter politics). But did anybody keep count of the affairs Willie Brown had? Did the Monica Lewinsky thing make Bill Clinton any less popular in San Francisco? This may cause a little turmoil among the political class, but I suspect the average voter could care less and will vote for him or not based on their opinion of his record as mayor.

[What is a Rivercat?]

I have to admit I am extremely disappointed the affair wasn't with the (male) campaign manager himself (and that would have been smarter politics). But did anybody keep count of the affairs Willie Brown had? Did the Monica Lewinsky thing make Bill Clinton any less popular in San Francisco? This may cause a little turmoil among the political class, but I suspect the average voter could care less and will vote for him or not based on their opinion of his record as mayor.

http://www.incompetech.com/Images/caring.png

Anyway, you're right, this should have no effect on his political career in SF. Beyond SF, however, it might haunt him.

[william]

Local news reporting tonight that he had an affair with his campaign manager's wife (http://www.sfist.com/archives/2007/01/31/holy_crap.php#comments)!

Hey, maybe the Alex Tourk, the campaign manager, could get some of the thugs from Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory to go kick Newsom's @ss. They sure took care of that Yale choir...:haha:

Yeah, or it's just a baseless rumor.

Oh wait, it's Matier and Ross again... it must just be a baseless rumor, right Fflint?

Oh San Francisco, I do miss you so...:cheers:

[Sacdelicious]

Rumor no. It's splashed across the Chronicle this morning, major major headline. Guess there goes the chance of a state-wide office....

[Frisco_Zig]

I have to admit I am extremely disappointed the affair wasn't with the (male) campaign manager himself (and that would have been smarter politics). But did anybody keep count of the affairs Willie Brown had? Did the Monica Lewinsky thing make Bill Clinton any less popular in San Francisco? This may cause a little turmoil among the political class, but I suspect the average voter could care less and will vote for him or not based on their opinion of his record as mayor.

the fact that he did this to a friend and his campaign manager shows me he is totally lacking in character. I voted for him and this is it for me. I am an tired of his slick photo op presentation and smarmy ways. He really is a do nothing mayor. I hope he goes down next election

[BTinSF]

http://www.incompetech.com/Images/caring.png

Anyway, you're right, this should have no effect on his political career in SF. Beyond SF, however, it might haunt him.

I am chagrined by the "could care less" bit because that grates on me when I hear it from others. Chalk it up to the hour of my post--I should have already been in bed.

I doubt Newsom has any political career "beyond SF" since his "gay marriage" effort. That made him wildly popular in the city, but nowhere else (unless, of course, he wants to run for mayor of West Hollywood, Provincetown or Key West).

[BTinSF]

the fact that he did this to a friend and his campaign manager shows me he is totally lacking in character. I voted for him and this is it for me. I am an tired of his slick photo op presentation and smarmy ways. He really is a do nothing mayor. I hope he goes down next election

So you gonna vote for one of the "progressives" who have nearly ruined San Francisco while representing themselves as NIMBY messiahs?

He is hardly a do-nothing mayor. He has made the homeless problem a lot better and has not stood in the way of development the way most of those who want his job would have.

[craeg]

Disappointed with him as mayor, but there is nobody that I'd trust in his place. Ultimately, I care little about his sexual propriety or his morality - just please get back to running the city.

[innov8]

Being how things go, he'll probably be promoted up in the democratic ranks.

[Chicago3rd]

the fact that he did this to a friend and his campaign manager shows me he is totally lacking in character. I voted for him and this is it for me. I am an tired of his slick photo op presentation and smarmy ways. He really is a do nothing mayor. I hope he goes down next election

Or it shows that the man was weak and in a low moment in his live (i.e. gettting a divorce). His mistake cost him his friend and probably a little of himself. He is human and makes mistakes. His penis has nothing to do with his work.

Love his openess and honesty with the public. He could have just said, "I take full responsiblity" and not stated he was sorry...like other leaders I know.

[Chicago3rd]

Being how things go, he'll probably be promoted up in the democratic ranks.

For being honest...he could have hid it and made up a bunch of lies...like the republicans do....Foley..cough......

[innov8]

For being honest...he could have hid it and made up a bunch of lies...like the republicans do....Foley..cough......

Yes, promoted for being honest.

[BTinSF]

Doesn't sound like it's too big a deal to me:

Would this prevent you from voting for Newsom?

Tori Paulman, The Haight
Seriously people! Give me a break -- I think some folks need to get more lovin'! In addition to the separation of church and state in the this country, we should focus some attention on the separation of state and bedroom! What Newsom does, how he does it and with whom should at best be a subject for the tabloids, certainly not for the polls.


Vandana Makker, The Haight
I would still vote for him. Bill Clinton clearly had a shady personal life, but he was a great president. I think Newsom is doing a good job as mayor.


Lynne Painter, North Beach
Of course not! I hope it doesn't keep him from running. The media need to spend less time on his hair and personal life.


Robert Cromey, The Mission
I judge Mayor Newsom by his civic, not sexual, performance.


Albert Goodwyn, Seacliff
The affair is irelevant. I'll vote against him on another basis: He's in it for the ego and does not pay enough attention to the needs of the city. Even Jordan was better, not to mention Agnos.


Daniel Curzon-Brown, Ingleside
I could care less where the mayor places his affections. Why would anybody run when every syllable, every moan is dragged out for public commentary? Stop it! The media are the culprits, making much ado about nothing.


Wade Hampton, Miraloma Park
I will still vote for Newsom. My belief in his character, integrity and dedication to serve the city is still intact and steadfast. I did, however, raise an eyebrow over his lack of judgment in this indiscretion.


Tony An, The Sunset
It won't have any effect on me. Newsom didn't do anything illegal. What he does in private is none of my business. I would even vote for Bill Clinton.


John Champlin, Lower Haight
Having an affair with an employee, married to your friend, who is also an employee, while you're still married? Yeah, that's pretty darn low. However, it's not clear that there's a better candidate running -- so far.


Paul Holtz, The Castro
Not at all. It was extremely poor judgment, and a terrible thing to do to a staff member and supposed friend. But his private life is separate from his public persona, and has no effect on his ability to lead -- though I suspect many supervisors will ramp up their efforts to block his initiatives purely out of spite.


Ed Rose, Duboce Triangle
Considering the precedent set by Willie Brown, I wouldn't vote against Gavin on the basis of this latest revelation. However, when I see the homeless still in the streets, a weak police chief and dismal public transportation -- that could have an effect.


David Jamison, Buena Vista Park
This wouldn't influence my vote. I still strongly support Mayor Newsom, even though I think this was a stupid mistake. He's done a great job as mayor, and I hope to see him win a second term.


Marilyn Benioff, North Beach
It wouldn't influence my vote one way or another. If Newsom is doing a good job for the city, what difference does it make what happens in his private life -- though it's hard to keep it private, it seems.


William Buehlman, The Excelsior
A candidate's judgement is always a consideration. As with anything, there are degrees. Many of us have made some poor decisions in our personal lives which, hopefully, we learn from and don't repeat. This doesn't mean that translates to an inability to do a good job in our professional lives. I would probably vote for a more progressive candidate, but not because of this incident.

[trvlr70]

Don't worry y'all...liberals are very forgiving.

This kinda reminds me of the Jack and Jeri Ryan scandal in 2004. Jack Ryan, an Illinois politician, had to abandon his Senate candidacy after a sex scandal erupted. Apparently he liked to have sex in front of people with his then wife, actress Jeri Ryan, at various sex clubs.

Big deal! I still feel bad that he had to withdraw.

[william]

For being honest...he could have hid it and made up a bunch of lies...like the republicans do....Foley..cough......

Foley... now that's rich... let's see - the beloved liberal Barney Frank admits to actually boffing his page. The page later admits to running a male prostitution ring out of the apartment that Frank pays for, and yet Frank still sits in congress. In fact, he's a Democratic leader.

No sex was ever actually alleged in the Foley case, just imbicilic email and text-messages. Foley was forced to resign (as he should have) - by his fellow Republicans.

You know, I try not to inject too much politics on this board because it can often side-track the actual topics, but if you're going to squeal about Republicans, you'd do much better if you actually knew what you're talking about..cough......

[rs913]

It's interesting how the same story would have a different effect depending on where you are.

If this happened in Small Town, Red State, there'd be no question. The elected official would basically disappear. No "should he resign" questions or anything like that, it'd just happen becuase that's how it's done.

Of course, when something like this happens in a place like SF, lots of people go to the other "I could care less" extreme (errr..."I couldn't care less"). Sometimes, that says more about their opnions about the Red State crowd mentioned above than about the scandal figure himself.

I'm all for a happy medium. It's certainly not something I can ignore - it affects how I view him as a human being - but in the end, it's how he governs the city that matters. So, I guess "I could care less" is actually right for me.

[william]

It's interesting how the same story would have a different effect depending on where you are.

If this happened in Small Town, Red State, there'd be no question. The elected official would basically disappear. No "should he resign" questions or anything like that, it'd just happen becuase that's how it's done.

Of course, when something like this happens in a place like SF, lots of people go to the other "I could care less" extreme (errr..."I couldn't care less"). Sometimes, that says more about their opnions about the Red State crowd mentioned above than about the scandal figure himself.

I'm all for a happy medium. It's certainly not something I can ignore - it affects how I view him as a human being - but in the end, it's how he governs the city that matters. So, I guess "I could care less" is actually right for me.

I don't see this as a matter or red state or blue state, liberal or conservative, city vs. town kind of thing. This has to do with one person and that person's behavior. Given his position, I think we can make some inferences regarding his judgment in this matter and ask if that implies a potential lack of judgement in other areas. I mean... his freaking campaign manager's wife in the middle of a ... campaign... jeez:notacrook:

But it's up to individual SF voters to determine if his morals (or lack thereof) - and judgement (or lack thereof) - are sufficient to replace him.

[OhioGuy]

Not that I'm a San Franciscan, but this situation doesn't really matter to me. People's personal lives are their own concerns. I should think the majority of the city's residents, who seem to support this stance when it comes to gay issues, will view Newsom's sex life from the same point of view. They themselves don't want to be judged, so they're probably going to try not to judge him either.

[coyotetrickster]

I don't see this as a matter or red state or blue state, liberal or conservative, city vs. town kind of thing. This has to do with one person and that person's behavior. Given his position, I think we can make some inferences regarding his judgment in this matter and ask if that implies a potential lack of judgement in other areas. I mean... his freaking campaign manager's wife in the middle of a ... campaign... jeez:notacrook:

But it's up to individual SF voters to determine if his morals (or lack thereof) - and judgement (or lack thereof) - are sufficient to replace him.

A) You, as in individual, can infer all you want. Don't put me in the count. I've worked with Newsom's office and several of his appointees on various civic programs. I've no reason to question Newsom's judgment on city priorities as some how compromised or suspect because he had an affair. Being a public official is not the same thing as becoming a monk (oh wait, they were getting lots of sex, it was all underage).

B) Might I suggest you read the actual articles. The affair was almost a year ago (or more) during his divorce, not frickin' last week. Yes, it's always bad form to boff the wife of close aide. Caligula just eliminated that messy aspect by killing his opponents.

C) I don't care who he sleeps with, he's aggressively tackled homelessness in this city. He's provided a reasoned counterpoint to the greenies on the board of meddlers, i mean, supervisors.

D) How is a banned forummer continuing to post?

[BTinSF]

Don't worry y'all...liberals are very forgiving.



Trouble is, what non-San Franciscans never seem to "get" is that in SF, people like Newsom and even Nancy Pelosi are not seen as "liberals" and get a lot of their support from the more conservative end of the city's citizenry. Newsom, in particular, was elected as the darling of downtown business interests and, while his gay marriage stance has broadened his appeal, he still gets a lot of financial support from "downtown".

While I've made it clear I agree with the view that this won't much matter, it does remain to be seen how his business supporters will react.

[fflint]

People, I'm going to close this thread if it further devolves into an ideological flamefest or a personal grudgematch. Stick to the topic; don't pick fights; don't call people out by name who aren't even participating in this thread; leave the national political partisanship out of the Califorum.

[sf_eddo]

OK - Ruby Rippey-Tourk, Brittanie Mountz, Sofia Milos

Does anyone else think that you have to have a pornstar name in order to get to Gavin?

[OhioGuy]

OK - Ruby Rippey-Tourk, Brittanie Mountz, Sofia Milos

Does anyone else think that you have to have a pornstar name in order to get to Gavin?

So are you saying I need to be changing my name??? ;) :haha:

[J Church]

OK - Ruby Rippey-Tourk, Brittanie Mountz, Sofia Milos

Does anyone else think that you have to have a pornstar name in order to get to Gavin?

That's what I'm taking away from this.

[Reminiscence]

Newsom with an affair huh. I think its an exageration thinking it will cost him the elections in November. I feel what he does in his personal life is just that, personal. Job-wise, I feel he's done a good job and the city has grown since he took office. As long as he does his job how he's suppose to, that should be all that matters. After all, thats why we voted him into office. :)

[tujunga]

Maybe he want to be governor and is using this confession to dispel any rumors that he may be gay. It may help him in the long run.

[fflint]

There is, I have it from a good source, even more to this story. If Newsom has Christian conservative backers, he may lose them. However, I still maintain that when all is said and done, the electorate will vote in November on the candidates' merits, and not on messy personal scandals.

[joeindt]

Is the rumor true that this is going to be on an upcoming episode of cheaters?

Bigger question is: Did he have slicked back hair at that time or was it the X-file Fox Mulder look? Hmm.

[innov8]

Get you scandal update here...


Sex scandal a serious obstacle to mayor's hopes for higher office -- Already, politicians and consultants are assessing the fallout: Has the talented Democratic rising star irrevocably damaged his chances for re-election -- and prospects for state or national office? And has he also wounded his party by handing Republicans juicy evidence of "San Francisco values" that are outside the mainstream? Carla Marinucci in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/2/07 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/02/MNGHNNTLHV1.DTL

L'Affaire Newsom -- How bad is the trouble San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is in? Probably not all that bad. Bill Bradley NWN weblog -- 2/2/07
http://billbradley.pajamasmedia.com/2007/02/02/laffaire_newsom.php

Newsom pledges he'll work hard to restore 'trust and confidence' -- The mayor, who achieved international fame and was labeled a rising star in the Democratic Party after authorizing the marriage of thousands of same-sex couples in 2004, retreated to his City Hall office after his morning apology and reportedly reached out to everyone from local neighborhood activists to party heavy-hitters like U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Cecilia M. Vega in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/2/07 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/02/MNGHNNTN2N1.DTL

San Francisco has a long history of shrugging off bad behavior by its mayors -- San Francisco mayors have been accused of having mob ties, of accepting bribes, of being Fascist sympathizers, of getting their girlfriends jobs and of inappropriately showering with disc jockeys. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/2/07 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/02/MNGHNNTLGO1.DTL

City code appears not to cover the issue -- Mayor Gavin Newsom's affair with his former aide Ruby Rippey-Tourk apparently violated none of the city's ethics codes, which do not cover general moral transgressions or errors in judgment. Robert Selna in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/2/07 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/02/MNGVJNTJJU1.DTL

Well-liked staffer said to be Newsom's truest backer -- Perhaps no one was more loyal to San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom or worked harder for him than Alex Tourk, his former deputy chief of staff and, until Wednesday, his re-election campaign manager. Charlie Goodyear in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/2/07 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/02/MNGVJNTI5D1.DTL

Righting wrongs is a typical rehab step -- Mayor Gavin Newsom is embroiled in a sex scandal in part because of the philosophy of AA. Ruby Rippey-Tourk, the mayor's former appointments secretary, told her husband she had had an affair with her boss as part of a rehabilitation program she is undergoing for substance abuse. Justin Berton in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/2/07 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/02/MNGVJNTI9I1.DTL

Year of rumors before the bombshell -- For more than a year, the affair between San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and the wife of his good friend and campaign manager, Alex Tourk, was a bomb that those around the mayor knew would one day go off. Phillip Matier, Andrew Ross in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/2/07 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/02/MNGVJNTI9G1.DTL

Bad idea: More companies enact policies to discourage office affairs -- A CEO has an affair with a secretary ... a secretary who is already married ... And whose husband happens to be one of the CEO's top aides. Suppose the scandal enveloping Mayor Gavin Newsom this week were to play out in a private-sector company. Ilana DeBare in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/2/07 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/02/MNGVJNTJK01.DTL


The Apology: Audience is not all unfriendly -- It isn't often that you get to drop by and see a famous politician fall on his sword in public. C.W. Nevius in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/2/07 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/02/MNGVJNTHSJ1.DTL

[rs913]

If Newsom has Christian conservative backers, he may lose them.

Christian conservative backers in SF? Yeah, it's a shame that he's going to lose all five of them.

LOL at the thought of Newsom on Cheaters. The image of Newsom being busted by Joey Greco and telling them to "get that damn camera off me"...priceless.

[Bernd]

The rumors in L.A. are that Mayor Villaraigosa and his wife are splitting, so maybe we can have our own sex scandal down here, too!

But instead of banging around with someone who's name sounds like a porn star, he can get the real deal.

[BTinSF]

Maybe he want to be governor and is using this confession to dispel any rumors that he may be gay. It may help him in the long run.

Seriously, what chance does a San Francisco politician who is best known for breaking state law and authorizing gay marriages have in a state-wide election? If he has a desire for future elective office, he better hope we keep term limit on the legislature so he can run for the state senate or something. And I say that with sadness, because I really like him and this recent episodse doesn't change that.

[Frisco_Zig]

So you gonna vote for one of the "progressives" who have nearly ruined San Francisco while representing themselves as NIMBY messiahs?

He is hardly a do-nothing mayor. He has made the homeless problem a lot better and has not stood in the way of development the way most of those who want his job would have.

Other than care not cash I think he is bascially an empty suit.

[BTinSF]

Other than care not cash I think he is bascially an empty suit.

You said something similar before, but if you feel that way and especially if you like Care Not Cash, what chance do you think there is of anybody better running against him? I have trouble even thinking of another current SF politician who is likely to challenge him whom I would prefer. Certainly there's nobody on the Board of Supervisors. Clint Reilly again? (Puh-leeze!) Please tell us who your dream candidate is so we can better understand your dislike of Newsom.

[Frisco_Zig]

You said something similar before, but if you feel that way and especially if you like Care Not Cash, what chance do you think there is of anybody better running against him? I have trouble even thinking of another current SF politician who is likely to challenge him whom I would prefer. Certainly there's nobody on the Board of Supervisors. Clint Reilly again? (Puh-leeze!) Please tell us who your dream candidate is so we can better understand your dislike of Newsom.

follows that I need to have a dream candidate to help you understand my dislike of Newsom

I am very disappointed in him but you may be right that the alternatives are worse.

[fflint]

Other than care not cash I think he is bascially an empty suit.
Care Not Cash has made an enormous positive impact on the quality of life here, and the man responsible for it should be lauded. If throwing the bums out is the only thing Newsom ever achieves as mayor, he will still have had a successful administration.

[dimondpark]

The news media is ridiculous. I was in freakin' Sydney and heard about it all the way down there.....oh brother, people need to get a life. And the Chron's splashy sensational front pages made me cringe when I picked them up off the driveway this morning.

Well, at least we now know his penis works.

[fflint]

Yeah, I have lost whatever remaining respect I had for the Chronicle as a result of its tabloid-like, sensationalistic "coverage" of this non-story.

Worst of all were the conservative talking points masquerading as analysis and reporting: "He has lost all hope of a career in politics." Oh really? I think Newsom's political career may actually outlast the dying and irrelevant San Francisco Chronicle.

[Reminiscence]

As if these guys didnt have enough to talk about already:

Newsom seeks counseling for alcohol abuse, sources say

Heather Knight and Cecilia M. Vega, Chronicle Staff Writers

Monday, February 5, 2007

-SAN FRANCISCO -

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom told department heads this afternoon he is seeking counseling for alcohol abuse, sources familiar with the meeting told The Chronicle.

Newsom told members of his administration that the help he is seeking would not require him to step aside even temporarily as it might if he entered a residential rehabilitation program, according to the sources.

The move follows the revelation last week that Newsom had a sexual affair with an employee of his office, Ruby Rippey-Tourk, who also was the wife of one of his top political aides, Alex Tourk. Tourk, the mayor's former deputy chief of staff, resigned as Newsom's re-election campaign manager last week after confronting Newsom about the affair.

The mayor admitted the affair Thursday and apologized to Tourk, his friend and family and the residents of San Francisco. He has since declined to say anything about the scandal and has stated repeatedly that he wants to get back to work.

Newsom's alcohol use became an embarrassment for the mayor after witnesses reported he appeared to have been drinking prior to arriving at San Francisco General Hospital in December after learning a police officer had been shot.

He also faced scrutiny late last year for bringing a then 20-year-old woman out on dates, where she was reportedly seen drinking what appeared to be alcohol.

[BTinSF]

^^^I'm not sure how this cuts in San Francisco. Having an image as a womanizing party animal probably doesn't hurt him, especially since he's good looking, but having an image as someone with a "problem" requiring treatment might. Also, there's the issue of the recent use of "treatment" as a hiding place by every celebrity busted for anything. To his credit, though, he's not hiding in a residential program and will stay on the job. To do otherwise, I'm afraid, might have brought calls for his resignation.

Until and unless another pro-development candidate who can win shows up on the scene, I very much hope he gets this behind him.