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Maine governor says he plans to seek 'spiritual guidance'
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Republican Gov. Paul LePage said Wednesday he intends to seek "spiritual guidance" in hopes of quieting a controversy he created when he left an obscene message on a Democratic lawmaker's voicemail and then said he wished he could challenge him to a duel and point a gun at him.
As top Democrats continued their calls for LePage's resignation, a fissure has emerged between House and Senate Republicans over whether the self-described straight talker is taking enough responsibility for his remarks and whether legislative action should be ruled out.
The governor has also gotten an earful from top Republicans across the country, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. "He said, 'What the hell are you doing?'" LePage told WLOB talk radio on Wednesday. LePage said he's had "long chats" with Christie and Florida GOP Gov. Rick Scott.
LePage apologized personally to the Democratic lawmaker, state Rep. Drew Gattine, and later blamed the media for fueling the fight. He also denied claims by some legislators that his seemingly erratic behavior was caused by addiction or mental health issues.
"I'm not an alcoholic. I'm not a drug addict. I don't have mental issues," LePage told reporters. "What I have is a backbone and I want to move Maine forward."
LePage said he doesn't intend to talk to the media anymore, a claim he has made before.
In recent days, legislators have called for LePage to step down or get professional help after his remarks to Gattine and comments he made blaming blacks and Hispanics for Maine's heroin epidemic. LePage, who's Roman Catholic, responded Wednesday by saying he wouldn't resign and instead intended to seek "spiritual guidance." He did not elaborate on what that involved.
His wife said in a statement to the media that the family believed God would help them through the situation.
"We have always been a family of faith and we recognize that the grace and guidance from God can make us stronger in life," first lady Ann LePage said.
Ken Fredette, the Republican leader of the Maine House said LePage is accepting responsibility for his actions, and he urged lawmakers to focus on November elections. 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.
Thibodeau said he's personally "struggling" with whether LePage is taking enough responsibility. He said he will poll his caucus and talk to Democrats on Wednesday to see if "this is the end" for any possible punishments for LePage, who has long evaded discipline for previous political missteps.
Last week, the governor left a foul-mouthed voicemail message for Gattine that said in part, "I am after you," and then he told reporters he wished he could go back in time and challenge Gattine to a duel and point a gun "right between his eyes." LePage said he was angry because Gattine called him a racist, something Gattine denied.
The governor initially stood by his statements, saying they were warranted because Gattine had called him "the absolute worst, most vile thing." But on Tuesday he apologized, saying his behavior was "unacceptable." He met with Gattine face-to-face on Wednesday, and Gattine said later that despite the apology, he still thinks LePage should resign.
While apologizing for his rant on Gattine, LePage denied using "racially charged language" and issued no apology for remarks that started the controversy.
LePage blamed out-of-state blacks and Hispanics for fueling Maine's heroin epidemic, and he has stood by those comments. He said he keeps photos of drug dealers arrested in the state in a binder and said it shows 90 percent of them "are black and Hispanic people from Waterbury, Connecticut; the Bronx; and Brooklyn."
Previously, the governor has complained about out-of-state drug dealers named "D-Money, Smoothie, Shifty" impregnating young white girls and associated a rise in infectious diseases with immigrants without providing data.
LePage has blamed liberals for inserting race into his comments and distorting his meaning.
LePage said Wednesday on WLOB talk radio that he's "brutally honest" and wants the focus kept on Maine's rising overdoses and out-of-state drug dealers bringing in heroin. He said all lives matter, not just the lives of black people.
"This nation is caught up on defending only one ethnic group," LePage said. "What about the people in Maine?"
On Tuesday, House Republicans gathered in Augusta and decided to not punish LePage over his latest crisis, while about 1,000 people rallied near the Blaine House to call for him to quit.
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