He seemed to toy with the idea of stepping down as governor, saying if he has lost his ability to convince ME residents he’s the right person for the job then “maybe it is the time to move on”. “The enemy right now, the overwhelming majority of people coming in, are people of color or people of Hispanic origin”. But on Tuesday he apologized, saying his behavior was “unacceptable”. “What about the people in ME?”
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It’s worth noting for context that when LePage left his threatening, expletive-lacked voicemail message last week, the governor specifically told his Democratic target, “I want you to record this and make it public”.
“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)”.
Senate Democratic Leader Justin Alfond called the tweet backpedaling and an example of LePage’s “erratic” and “troubling” behavior.
“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.
LePage takes this blame to the extreme, but he is simply building off a longstanding political playbook in this country that has helped countless politicians win office by blaming others – those who are different – for the country’s problems.
But really, it’s LePage who is the victim here. Jamie suggested attacking LePage on his inability to grow the economy or stop a brain drain of educated ME residents leaving the state. “It’s not something that I’ve ever called anybody”, he said.
Vehicle mechanic Al Scott, 48, said, “Absolutely not!” on whether he should resign. Republican Senate President Mike Thibodeau said he had asked LePage to seek professional counseling and added that “any one of us” would be unemployed after leaving such a voicemail.
He said he will poll his caucus and talk to Democrats to see if “this is the end” for any possible punishments for LePage, who has l evaded discipline for previous political missteps. “What I have is a backbone”.
Democrats said the governor’s apology is not enough.
According to a recording of the original voicemail message obtained by the Press Herald, the governor cursed out Gattine on that call.
“That was a cheap shot and [the reporter] got my goat – and I don’t know if he researched and knows that I am very sensitive to helping black people in some of the Carribbean islands but it’s very sensitive, and he hit a wrong button”.
“This nation is caught up on defending only one ethnic group”, LePage said.
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He said the reporter in question owes an apology, too. “I will no longer speak to the press every again after today”, he said. “I am exhausted of being caught, the gotcha moments”.
