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Washington (CNN)Maine Gov. Paul LePage left an expletive-laced voicemail for a state lawmaker that goaded him to "prove that I'm a racist" after a series of controversial comments once again put the governor in the news.

LePage left the message for Democratic State Rep. Drew Gattine on Thursday, according to the Portland Press Herald, which also was the first to obtain audio of the voicemail. The uncensored audio message, also shared with CNN, contains several explicit phrases.

The bombastic Republican governor is known for his loose style, which sometimes draws criticism. He is a strong supporter of Donald Trump, and Trump's campaign recently hired his daughter to work on the race in Maine.

Earlier this week, LePage had doubled down on comments he has made in the past about the racial background of drug dealers in his state, saying that "90-plus percent ... are black and Hispanic people."

Governor: '90-plus percent' of drug dealers arrested in Maine black or Hispanic

According to the Press Herald, Gattine was identified by local media as having called LePage racist, though Gattine denies doing so.

"Mr. Gattine, this is Gov. Paul Richard LePage," the audio recording says. "I would like to talk to you about your comments about my being a racist, you (obscene term). I want to talk to you. I want you to prove that I'm a racist. I've spent my life helping black people and you little (obscene term), socialist (obscene term). You -- I need you to -- just friggin'. I want you to record this and make it public because I am after you. Thank you."

LePage apologized for the voicemail in a statement on Friday, but justified his reaction saying the label of racist is "the absolute worst, most vile thing you can call a person."

"I didn't know Drew Gattine from a hole in the wall until yesterday," LePage said. "It made me enormously angry when a TV reporter asked me for my reaction about Gattine calling me a racist. ... So I called Gattine and used the worst word I could think of. I apologize for that to the people of Maine, but I make no apology for trying to end the drug epidemic that is ravaging our state."

On Thursday, the governor took credit for leaving the voicemail in a later interview at his home with local media, and said he would like to challenge Gattine to a duel.

"When a snot-nosed little guy from Westbrook calls me a racist, now I'd like him to come up here because, tell you right now, I wish it were 1825," LePage said, according to the Press Herald. "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 would point it right between his eyes, because he is a snot-nosed little runt and he has not done a damn thing since he's been in this Legislature to help move the state forward."

Friday, LePage walked back that rhetoric, saying he was purely making a historical reference.

"Obviously, it is illegal today; it was simply a metaphor and I meant no physical harm to Gattine," LePage said.

Maine Democratic Party Chairman Phil Bartlett called LePage's remarks a "threat."

"Gov. LePage's direct threat against Rep. Gattine is both erratic and disturbing, and he is clearly unfit to lead our state," Bartlett said in a statement. "Not only did the governor blatantly say he would take violent action against a sitting lawmaker, he also twice invoked a homophobic slur to drive home his point. Those reckless remarks may incite others to violence. ... Paul LePage is an increasingly menacing figure who does not reflect the values of our state."

Gattine did not respond to a request for comment.

 

 

 

Despite how well he's done for the state he really is starting to make himself look silly .   

3 hours ago, Mainecat said:

That's his MO he apologizes .

Your MO is well known,,,

18 hours ago, Mainecat said:

what are you 12 years old?

Says the guy that stomped off like a petulant child only to return.

2 minutes ago, Biggie Smails said:

Says the guy that stomped off like a petulant child only to return.

 

1 hour ago, Biggie Smails said:

Says the guy that stomped off like a petulant child only to return.

Ouch.

2 hours ago, Biggie Smails said:

Says the guy that stomped off like a petulant child only to return.

At least I dont have to drink myself to sleep every night.

21 hours ago, Mainecat said:

How Did Mild-Mannered Maine Get America’s Craziest Governor?

From Politico

He is skeptical of wind power—and sabotaged a $120 million offshore wind investment by Norwegian energy giant Statoil last year—perhaps in part because of a declared belief that some turbines “have a little electric motor that turns the blades … so that they can show people wind power works.” A champion of charter schools and voucher initiatives, he has advised students: “If you want a good education, go to private schools. If you can’t afford it, tough luck. You can go to the public school.”
As for President Barack Obama, LePage said on the campaign trail that the president could “ go to hell” and reportedly told supporters at a private fundraiser that Obama “hates white people,” a remark LePage later apologized for, even as—in a feat of gymnastic oratory—he declined to confirm or deny having said it.
In June, LePage denounced a Democratic state senator for always wanting to “give it to the people without Vaseline.” He has likened the Internal Revenue Service to the Gestapo and, when criticized for the remark, claimed the agency’s enforcement of Obamacare would cause a slaughter comparable to the Holocaust. He told schoolchildren that Maine’s newspapers are full of lies and joked about bombing the largest of them, the Portland Press Herald, where I work and have been covering LePage’s antics.


Read more: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/01/paul-lepage-maine-governor-crazy-101923#ixzz4IpDcr65r

I'm sure when Kennedy opposed the same thing becuase he might tun into one drunk you were backing him up.

 

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LePage Says He Won't Resign, Will Seek 'Spiritual Guidance'

Embattled Maine Gov. Paul LePage asked the people of the state for forgiveness on Tuesday, but said he has no intention of resigning, despite the controversy swirling around some of his recent remarks.

 

LePage did say that he has apologized for leaving an obscene rant on State Rep. Drew Gattine’s voicemail last week.

“To the Maine people, today, I am asking for forgiveness,” he said in a statement. “Comments I have expressed recently are unacceptable and I apologize sincerely for using such disrespectful language as your Governor. Also, I would like to express an apology to the Gattine family. I understand how hurtful statements affect a family and regret that my words have adversely upset your lives. For this I am sorry.

LePage said he met with Gattine privately on Wednesday morning “in an effort to bring closure for all those involved.” The governor also said he and his family will be seeking “spiritual guidance” as they move forward in finding closure themselves.

Gattine confirmed Wednesday that LePage apologized to him, but said the governor continued repeating the same talking points about drugs and race.

LePage also met with a select group of reporters on Wednesday morning, though necn and several other outlets were not allowed in.

According to necn affiliate WCSH-TV, he said during that session that he is not an alcoholic and does not have drug or mental health problems. He also said that he is not a very good politician, but he will continue to fight for the underdog.

Source: LePage Says He Won't Resign, Will Seek 'Spiritual Guidance' | NECN http://www.necn.com/news/new-england/LePage-Says-He-Wont-Resign-Will-Seek-Spiritual-Guidance-391877921.html#ixzz4IvAnoot9

 

 

3 minutes ago, ckf said:

 

 

That's awesome.  So he apologizes first, then seeks spiritual guidance afterwards?   Personally, I hold it more against him that he apologized in the first place.  That's weak....almost as weak as leaving some shit like that on a V/M in the first place.  Nobody wants to meet face to face anymore to answer up for their reckless actions......a nation of weak pussies....led by the same in government.

Oh well....I still have box seats for these shows.  

1 hour ago, Zambroski said:

That's awesome.  So he apologizes first, then seeks spiritual guidance afterwards?   Personally, I hold it more against him that he apologized in the first place.  That's weak....almost as weak as leaving some shit like that on a V/M in the first place.  Nobody wants to meet face to face anymore to answer up for their reckless actions......a nation of weak pussies....led by the same in government.

Oh well....I still have box seats for these shows.  

He needs to seek professional help.

2 hours ago, Mainecat said:

At least I dont have to drink myself to sleep every night.

Neither do I so back to you stomping off like a little bitch and then crawling back.

34 minutes ago, Mainecat said:

He needs to seek professional help.

Your butthurt nourishes my soul.

59 minutes ago, Mainecat said:

He needs to seek professional help.

Yeah, I never said he was mentally capable to hold office.  But, as you can agree, that is no longer a requirement.  

BTW, it's refreshing to have a GENUINE liberal back here.    

Members of his own party this he needs help.

17 minutes ago, Mainecat said:

Members of his own party this he needs help.

When is the last time that you have listened to republican politicians?