“I’m looking at all options”, LePage, a Republican, said Tuesday while speaking with WVOM.
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LePage has received criticism, including calls to step down or seek treatment for anger issues, for leaving a profanity-laced voicemail on the answering machine of a state representative with whom he had been feuding. He also openly questioned whether he was up to the job of leading the state, saying, “I think some things I’ve been asked to do are beyond my ability”. “I am not saying I will finish it or not finish it”.
He said: “I’m not going to say I’m not going to finish it. What I’m going to do right now is I’m taking one step at a time”.
The Portland Press-Herald, which has produced coverage of this whole mishegas that is Exhibit Quadruple Q in favor of good local newspapering, has been tracking the various shifts and turns of LePage’s fate over the past few days.
Maine Gov. Paul LePage has tweeted that reports of his “political demise are greatly exaggerated”.
“There are many sensible people in ME of all parties now asking the question: Should we break up with our abuser?” LePage has since become more apologetic, but the state GOP has had enough of its, er, colorful leader.
LePage thought Gattine called him a racist, something the state representative denies.
“I still believe that way”, said LePage.
In the interview with WMOV, LePage said he takes full responsibility for the fallout from the voicemail – “it’s totally my fault” – but that he was particularly enraged by the accusation of racism.
“When I was called a racist I just lost it, and there’s no excuse”.
Republican state senators met with him, according to LePage, to set some demands on his future behavior in exchange for offering him any further support. On Tuesday, LePage indicated he would like the state to move forward, even if he must resign in order for that to happen. “It’s another thing not to have any party behind you”.
On Monday night, the governing body of a Westbrook youth center said its board voted to not host a town hall meeting Gov. Paul LePage had announced earlier in the day.
In Thursday’s voicemail, LePage urged Gattine to prove he was a racist, and encouraged him to release the recording. I’ve spent my life helping black people and you little son-of-a-b–, socialist c–sucker. You … You – I need you to – just friggin’. “I want to talk to you”. I didn’t know Drew Gattine from a hole in the wall until yesterday. “And we would have a duel, that’s how angry I am, and I would not put my gun in the air, I guarantee you, I would not be (Alexander) Hamilton”. “I apologize to the Maine people and Rep. Gattine’s family”.
Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap, a Democrat elected by the Legislature, declined to comment Tuesday on that provision of Maine’s Constitution or the current controversy over remarks by LePage viewed as racially charged and offensive.
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“I think he’s the best governor we’ve ever had”, Scott said as he worked on a vehicle hoisted on a lift.
