AUGUSTA- The voice mail that has not only the entire state- but the entire country- talking. The governor now trying to pick up the pieces.
“This is a situation that the governor has created and I believe that he is sincere in his remorse,” said Rep. Ken Fredette (R).
Governor Paul LePage meeting with Rep. Drew Gattine on Wednesday morning to apologize face-to-face for his aggressive words. The heated message coming after Rep. Gattine criticized what he believed were racially charged comments made by the governor.
“Being called a racist was a horrible thing for me. It was enormously hurtful. It hurt my family,” said Gov. LePage.
But Rep. Gattine claims he never called the governor a racist, and thinks that Wednesday morning’s apology is not enough.
“I don’t think we can continue forward for the next two years and get things done with our governor in office. I would like to see a different governor,” said Rep. Gattine (D).
An anti-LPpage rally held outside the statehouse on Tuesday night drawing in hundreds of people who believe the governor is a bully and needs to be stopped.
“Enough is enough. This man is unfit to serve,” said Rep. Charlotte Warren (D).
House republicans also meeting behind closed doors Tuesday night to discuss how to move forward with the controversy.
“Governor LePage has acknowledged he’s sorry, we condemn his words for what he said. He needs to continue to work on that. But as house republicans, we’re going to go out there and start talking about the issues . We aren’t coming back in for a special session to talk about this,” said Fredette.
However, Republican Senate President Mike Thibodeau has a different in opinion, releasing a statement Wednesday saying, “With all due respect, I completely disagree with Representative Fredette’s position. The republican senate caucus has clearly stated that we need an acceptable plan for corrective action before the determination of whether the legislature should convene is made.”
The governor making comments Tuesday that he could consider resignation if that’s what’s best for his family and for the state, but Wednesday, he turned that statement back around.
“I will not resign though. My family, behind me, I’m going to win this battle of getting rid of the weakness,” said Gov. LePage.
