LePage, who’s Roman Catholic, responded Wednesday by saying he wouldn’t resign and instead meant to seek “spiritual guidance”.
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Governor LePage held a press conference in his office with selected members of the media to discuss how he plans to move past his recent behavior and get ME back on the right track.
On Wednesday morning, LePage said unequivocally that he will be staying put. “I’m exhausted of being caught in the gotcha moments”. “It’s about keeping people alive”.
Bennett had withdrawn the mic by then, but I yelled back that LePage’s numbers sounded like racial profiling, and I never called him a racist.
“After speaking with Gattine on Wednesday, “the reporter that put a mic on my face owes the people of ME an apology”, said LePage”.
“This is happening over and over and over again and it really reflects on his fitness to serve and his ability to carry out his duties and I don’t take any pleasure in saying that”, said Gattine.
“To the Maine people, I am asking for forgiveness”.
LePage’s angry voicemail followed an exchange with a newspaper reporter who asked about comments the governor had made blaming black and Hispanic people for the heroin trade in the Northeastern state.
House Democratic leader Jeff McCabe said it’s best for the governor to resign.
“Mr. Gattine, this is Gov. Paul Richard LePage, I would like to talk to you about your comments about my being a racist, you (expletive)”.
“The national media is paying attention, the regional media is paying attention, certainly the ME media is paying attention”, Fredette said.
“Maybe in my mind it is semantics, but in his mind, after talking to him it was clear that there was a real difference”, LePage said at a press conference Wednesday. I understand how hurtful statements affect a family and regret that my words have adversely upset your lives. LePage also told reporters he wished it were 1825 so he could shoot Gattine in a duel. “I want you to prove I’m racist”.
The governor said Wednesday that he was aware of the disconnect between House and Senate Republicans, but he seemed unfazed.
“And I’m serious. Everything will be in writing”, he said.
After the leak, LePage naturally responded by challenging Gattine to a duel, promising he would “not be Hamilton” and fire right at his rival. “I’m just not a very good politician”. I want you to record this and make it public because I’m after you.
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ME legislative leaders are set to meet on Thursday to discuss whether to push for the resignation of Governor Paul LePage, a week after he left an obscenity-laden voicemail for a lawmaker who had criticized him for making racially charged comments.
