When the resident suggested that the racial makeup LePage described might be the result of racial profiling by police, the governor added that there are also “a whole lot of white girls” in his binder – “white ME girls”, he clarified, in an echo of his controversial January remarks.
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“According to the governor, ME police are nine times more likely to arrest people of color for selling drugs than white people, even though we know white people are just as likely to commit drug offenses”, Alison Beyea, executive director of the ACLU of ME, said in a statement. In January, Paul LePage said drug dealers with names like “D-Money, Smoothie, Shifty” are getting Maine’s white girls pregnant. “And I will tell you, that 90-plus percent of those pictures in my book – and it’s a three-ring binder – are black and Hispanic people from Waterbury, Connecticut, the Bronx, and Brooklyn”. I need you to… “I would point it right between his eyes, because he is a snot-nosed little runt”.
He displayed the binder at a Friday news conference.
Gattine was vocally critical of the comments to a reporter, calling them “not at all helpful” in tackling the state’s drug issues.
“Mr. Gattine, this is Gov. Paul Richard LePage”, the audio recording says.
“I want you to prove that I’m a racist”, LePage said, adding that he had spent his life helping black people and calling Gattine a vulgar name related to oral sex.
Afterward, LePage said the statement was a mistake, and told journalists, “If you want to make it racist, go ahead and do what you want”.
According to the constitution, when the secretary of state has reason to believe the governor is unable to perform the duties of the office, the secretary of state can certify to the Maine Supreme Court the reasons for believing the governor is unfit for office.
But the state lawmaker has denied that he made that claim toward the governor. That didn’t stop LePage from leaving in a huff, telling reporters “you make me so sick”.
This isn’t the first disagreement between the two.
The Portland Press Herald’s editorial board is apologizing on behalf of the state of ME for exposing America to Paul LePage. “It was a really stunning message, not like any message that anybody has ever left me before”. Drew Gattine might be among the dissenters – LePage lost it, according to the Press Herald.
Then he called Gattine and invited reporters to sit down for the interview in which he fantasized about a duel with the state representative. It is the absolute worst, most vile thing you can call a person. So I called Gattine and used the worst word I could think of.
LePage offered no apology Friday to the lawmaker, who has denied LePage’s accusation, and added he would not apologize for trying to end a drug epidemic that is ravaging ME and causing five deaths a day there.
The American Civil Liberties Union of ME had pointed out Thursday that research shows blacks and whites deal drugs at similar rates.
He says he has helped Black people during his political career. Obviously, it is illegal today; it was simply a metaphor and I meant no physical harm to Gattine.
The governor said he would not apologize to Gattine, but said he might be willing to trade apologies with him.
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This week was not the first time LePage’s comments sparked a firestorm of criticism. He continues again to embarrass the citizens of this wonderful State. Drew Gattine (gah-TEEN’) had called him one. “I’d like to shoot him”, LePage responded. Furthermore, his threat to want to “shoot him between the eyes” would be reprehensible coming from anybody, but from the individual holding the position of Governor of our State is insanity. It was LePage himself who told reporters about the existence of the voicemail.
