The decision by the Oregon Attorney General not to prosecute Portland Mayor Sam Adams does not answer some of the questions at the heart of the scandal. 

All we know today that we didn’t know yesterday is that the mayor will not be charged with a crime in this affair.  Mayor Adams has resisted calls for his resignation (including my own) since this matter first came to light in January and will likely see this report from the OAG as a personal vindication.  He shouldn’t. 

“Not getting prosecuted” is a pretty low bar for a politicalian awash in scandal.  His actions that brought about this scandal and his actions in the aftermath have been indefensible.

The mayor isn’t going to resign.  As I’ve said, I oppose a recall election because of the divisive impact such an election would have on the city.  Clearly, this news from the OAG’s office takes the wind out of what was a doomed to fail recall effort from the start.  The recall effort should now fold.

It is time for Portland to move on.  Voters can impose their final verdict on this issue in 2012 if Mayor Adams seeks re-election.