Murmurs: What John Kitzhaber Can Still Do.

On Feb. 9, Kitzhaber sent a letter to Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum asking for a review of the facts surrounding the influence-peddling and conflict-of-interest allegations swamping him and his fiancee, first lady Cylvia Hayes. (Disclosure: Rosenblum is married to WW publisher and co-owner Richard Meeker.) Kitzhaber promised his and Hayes' complete cooperation. "No one wants these questions answered more than we do," he said in the letter.

It was a terrible miscalculation: Kitzhaber asked the AG for a limited review of the facts. Rosenblum has instead launched a criminal investigation. Meanwhile, Hayes is insisting the Oregon Government Ethics Commission lacks jurisdiction to investigate her.

Kitzhaber's gesture is not enough. If the governor is sincere about being open and honest with Oregonians—and salvaging what's left of his reputation—he must take four simple steps.

1. Make all documents public to everyone right away. If Kitzhaber has nothing to fear, then he could hit the send button today and release documents long sought by WW, The Oregonian and other news outlets. Kitzhaber and Hayes—by fighting the documents’ release—act as if they have much to hide. Releasing the documents means dropping the discredited idea Hayes was a simple volunteer in his office. It means acknowledging what’s already clear: Hayes operated as a public official while she pocketed $200,000-plus in private consulting fees linked to her government work.

1. Compel everyone around this scandal to tell the truth. That means granting the AG full investigative powers, including the authority to put witnesses—including Hayes—under oath. The governor has that power, but he has refused to grant it. If he has nothing to fear, Kitzhaber should offer to be the first to testify.

1. Be honest, finally, about how Hayes’ work benefited him financially. For four years, Kitzhaber has sworn on his annual state disclosure forms that Hayes contributes to his household income. During his Jan. 30 press conference—another doozy of a tactical blunder—Kitzhaber tried to disavow those statements. He needs to explain what role he played in helping Hayes get the contracts and make public the consulting deals and income Hayes has not yet disclosed.

1. Take responsibility. The governor has blamed everyone else, especially the news media, for the trouble he is in. Acknowledging his role in this fiasco runs counter to his nature. It may also be his last chance to demonstrate leadership while he is still governor of this state. 

WWeek 2015