Does Paul LePage Really Want to be Governor?

I mentioned in another thread...the thread about the train...but since it is going to have a thread dedicated to that one dunderheaded statement....I am reposting what I said about it there...

Wowwee...the misstatment...or appearance of one...about Arden Manning is typical of the candidates "white lies" approach...

He seems to not realize that everything he says...wherever he says it...is recorded...and that what works well in a bar...or in his living room...or even with his supporters in a locked room...does not work in public...

Thruout his campaign...he has demonstrated that he has a habit of saying whatever comes to his head...

Examples...

He says he left home at 11 from the hospital...but his foster father says that he brought young Paul home from work one day...and that his parents had moved away...Foster father says he "took him home with me"...

He volunteers that he is a "lifelong resident of Maine"...when it turns out he spent years living in Canada...and some in Boston...

He has told audiences that he personally drives welfare transferrees back to their hometowns...but maybe not...

He accuses Arden Manning of saying racist things in blogs...but no one can find...or remember...such a thing...

Back to the BDN article...

"...LePage answered that he doesn’t know very much about the Tea Party. 'Except that if they support me, I’ll accept them,' he said."

Firstly...either he is lying...or does not read newspapers...or watch television...or talk to anyone interested in politics...

Secondly...Is he saying he will "accept" anyone who supports him...? Rilly...?

"...he answered that he did not really know what creationism is. 'Knowledge is power,' he said."

Ho boys...

Firstly...that has to be the most unfortunate juxtaposition of statements in the world...and I did not leave anything out between those two...

Secondly...it sure sounds like the Ray Richardson forum all over again...you know...the one where he didnt know what "civil unions" were...and the one where he said he supported them...

Thirdly...doesn't anyone prep this guy...? Knowing that it is going to hound him his whole campaign...wouldnt you think that someone...anyone...would explain to him...that its not the governors job to decide that...or something better than the Apostle Peter answer he gives...?

I have much more but will stop there...preparing for the slings and arrows...

But I have a sincere suggestion for the GOP candidate...

Start moving toward the truth...you dont have to apologize for...or even acknowledge...that you have told some "little white lies"...some over and over...but for heavens sake...stop telling them...

If you think that your political enemies havent noticed...and thats why they dont bring it up...you are mistaken...

If you think that if we dont mention it on here on this forum...again...wrong...

Their silence should be sending shivers down your spine...

I think you miss the point. No one is perfect or all knowing. These are very minor issues compared to the problems our state is facing. It is smoke and mirrors to take the focus off the economy or the disastrous effects of almost 40 years of Democrat control.

Furthermore, when the Democrats attack him later in the campaign for believing in creation, (which is an integral part of his Franco-Catholic) heritage, he can point to this moment and say "I told you so." The current leaders of the Maine Democrat party are racist bigots who decry those who believe the tenets of the Catholic church. Look how they attack the belief in creation, or even intelligent design or their position of gay marriage.

Nobody preps Paul LePage - what you see is what you get. His "campaign manager" sees him once a month or so.

Paul has made the decision not to have any campaign pros. It might hurt him, might not. People are tired of packaged candidates this year. Living out of state for 3 or 4 years out of 61 qualifies as a life long Mainer to me. I believe Paul's story about leaving the hospital to live on the streets - the other guy is probably confused. And I don't think Paul had a clue what to say about Creationism - see lack of pro staff, above.

Small potatoes.

Yep;, it's all just part of a poor propaganda campaign.
You bet.

"I think you miss the point. No one is perfect or all knowing...It is smoke and mirrors to take the focus off the economy or the disastrous effects of almost 40 years of Democrat control."

I think you are the one missing the point...which is that the republican candidate has only a nodding acquaintance with truth...

Couple that with his strange habit of answering questions...and then...when the blowback hits the fan...pretending he does not understand English words...is also disconcerting...

One of the ugliest things about Obamaites is their propensity for calling those who disagree with him racists...but it is...in your view...missing the point...to point out that calling someone a racist if that someone is a liberal...?

Oh...wait...you do the same thing...

"The current leaders of the Maine Democrat party are racist bigots who decry those who believe the tenets of the Catholic church."

Stavros...can you point to the racist bigotry you speak about...?

"Furthermore, when the Democrats attack him later in the campaign for believing in creation..."

I am not a democrat...but I attack him for showing no spine...and not standing up for his beliefs...

Instead of saying..."Yes...that's what I believe..." he hides behind his apparent inability to understand English...

No doubt Arden Manning wrote no such thing on a blog.

Nevertheless Franco-American Catholics who identify with LePage might take umbrage when Democrats say he is unfit to be governor due to a religious fundamentalism that would mandate creationism be taught in public school science class. Franco-American Catholics know LePage is one of them, and they know what they believe, so they know what he believes. To dismiss LePage as a fundamentalist kook when he clearly is not one, could be to dismiss Franco-American Catholics that way, too.

Dolly, we get the point.

Now pour over Libby Mitchell's wacky ravings for a bit, and then post your detailed analysis here.

Stavros -

Racist bigots? That's a serious charge based on...what? You're painting all Maine D leaders with that brush. I'm asking you either to back up the claim with specifics or to rephrase or retract your "racist bigots" charge.

Thank you.
skf

Every time listen to the polished liars that pose as leader for us I find LePage's off the cuff rough style more attractive. I worry less about his gaffs than I do about the premditated lying that passes for leadership...... Maybe a guy who throws a few people out on their fat entrenched a***es might be just the wake up call they need in Augusta.....If you are a working person ask yourself if the blowhards that have been running this state for the last 30 years have made your life any better??
Personally I'm tired of left wing nut jobs like libby telling me that bending over is moving forward.

I don't think Manning would write something like that on a blog. However, it would be good if someone in LePage's camp could produce documentation.

Meanwhile, I agree that using blanket terms like "racist bigots" isn't appropriate.

And exactly how are Francos (of which I am 1/4) "a race"? Surely we are all in Maine, baring the native tribes and the Somalies, white in race classification terms. Or are Francos a race only when its politically expedient to make points with?

Press release from the Maine Democratic Party: Where is Paul LePage?
Today at 3:44pm

PORTLAND- Saturday, during a Republican fundraiser, GOP candidate for Governor Paul LePage spoke out directly against Victory 2010 campaign manager Arden Manning. LePage said Manning has made comments on blogs saying LePage would not make a good governor because he's of French-Canadian Catholic background. "This is a lie, plain and simple," said Arden Manning, campaign manager for Victory 2010.

During this same event, LePage took aim at democratic candidate Libby Mitchell's age saying, "Libby had her 70th birthday a few weeks ago and I'm concerned about her. We should send her home."

On Monday, the Democratic Party called on Paul LePage to apologize to them and their campaign manager. "Paul LePage has made an offensive claim that has no basis in reality. LePage needs to apologize to Mr. Manning and to the Maine Democratic Party," said Mary Erin Casale, executive director of the Maine Democratic Party.

Paul LePage has remained silent on both issues, despite numerous attempts for comment. John Morris, LePage's chief of staff, said "You need to talk to Paul about that," Morris said, adding that LePage was unavailable for comment because he was out of town.

"In this day and age of modern technology, there is no excuse for Mr. LePage to be unavailable for comment. I hope he realizes that the office of Governor is a 24/7 job and he cannot claim to be 'out of town' when a crisis arises. I would like to reiterate my request for an apology to Arden Manning and to the Maine Democratic Party," said Casale.

Dan Walker, chief legal counsel for the Maine Democratic Party, has been consulted on the issue. "If Mr. LePage made this statement with reckless disregard of the truth, it could potentially be ruled as slander against Mr. Manning. We would encourage Mr. LePage to publicly admit that this false statement was a mistake," said Walker.
# # #

Manning attacks LePage here...
http://www.mainecollegedems.com/apps/blog/?view_type=0

How abouty the rats' claim the LePage would force creationism into the schools? Where's the "slander" charge there?

These people are sleaze.

Peter...I cant find the racist part...or the part where he says the GOP candidate "would not be a good governor because of his French-Canadian and Catholic background."

Which part of the post is that in...?

Yeah, me neither, I do hope someone produces evidence of anti-Franco attacks on LePage. I don't see any racism either.

They are attempting to paint Mayor as dumb person. Someone who lacks intellectual horsepower of Mitchell or Cutler. They are calling him extreme and fringe, they are attempting to paint him as a Catholic zealot. They are playing into sterotpyes.
If Manning was a Republican the media would be all over him.

Peter…you havent answered the question I asked you...

Stavros…Thrasybulus…Tom C…you guys dont have a problem with the GOP candidate making blatantly…dishonest…statements about those who oppose him…?

Or with him calling an opponent a racist to shut him up…?

Cuz I thought you all disliked it when Obama and his supporters did it…

Tell me where I'm wrong here...

You are very childish Dolley. I have noticed that since Scott reprimanded you on misspelling LePage, you have refused to even spell it. You refer to LePage as, "the republican candidate", or "he", and "him". You are irrelevent.

Mayor LePage is correct. Because he is French Catholic, Manning is calling him fringe and extreme.

Robert and you ignore her points as well. Do you think a Republican tossing around the "racist" tag is a good idea? I rather hope the Republicans are not going to play the race card as part of their strategy in the governor's race.

BTW what is creationalism? That isn't even a word but its used in the news report.

Robert and you ignore her points as well

Like I said Andrew, Dolley is irrelevent, and you are reaching that point.

LePage isn't dumb. He speaks as a fool regularly.I doubt he'll be able to dress it up anytime soon.

Robert pray tell why? Because I don't fall into line and back LePage I am somehow irrelevant. You are really learning a lot from Obama. You don't like what I have to say so you call my opinion irrelevant. How very convenient.

I don't like it when the left play the race card in politics and I don't like it when the right play it either. Its a petty way of doing politics. Its a way of shutting down debate and its sordid.

The guy "played fast and loose with the truth" about his comment about Libby Mitchell...even though there were witnesses...

He "played fast and loose with the truth" about not knowing what a "civil union" is...even though he appeared to understand the term every time he answered that question...

He "played fast and loose with the truth" about not knowing what "creationism" is...

He "played fast and loose with the truth" about what he said about creationism being taught in school...

He "played fast and loose with the truth" about not knowing anything about the tea party...

He "played fast and loose with the truth" when he said that Manning posted bigoted statements...

He "played fast and loose with the truth" when he volunteered that he is "a lifelong resident of Maine"...

Ok...Im irrelevant because I dont use his name...and you are being ridiculous...

By all means...dont address the issue at hand...instead...get all upset because you want to control what I say...

No Andrew, you claim to be a tea party person and when the closest thing to a tea party candidate comes along, you try and sabotage him. In my opinion, you are nothing more than a prima dona looking for someone to notice you.

Dolley, I am not upset with you being childish, which makes you irrelevent. LePage shouldn't spend too much time apologizing to people who have no intentions of voting for him.

So please define for me a tea party candidate? I am guessing your definition and mine are slightly different.

I am not trying sabotage him I am just asking questions. Sabotaging someone politically is far more proactive action.

Most amusing you call me a prima donna. You are the one who seems to be deciding who is relevant and who isn't, what a tea party candidate is or isn't and who is worry of note and isn't. Thanks for calling me a prima donna, it gave me a rather good laugh. If you had ever actually dealt with a person like that, you would realise they have no sense of humor and don't do self-depricating very well. I am rather self-depricating and laugh quite often. Thanks for providing me with frequent laughs, please keep it up.

I said my piece Andrew, I have nothing to add.