PAUL LEPAGE SAYS "OBAMA HATES WHITE PEOPLE" AND WE MAINERS CRINGE AGAIN

The national news is alight with another story about our Governor here in Maine, Mr Paul Lepage. Apparently at a party for donors at a private citizen's house, he said that "Obama hates white people." The sources referenced in the reports wished to remain anonymous, so there is doubt in the air among his fans whether this was said at all.

Of course, it is ludicrous to think that a reputable paper like the Portland Press Herald, which originated the story, would make something like this up. The man has already given enough fodder to his enemies when it comes to dumb remarks. I need not got through the list. However, I am angry that none of the Republicans in attendance, who might have heard the comment, are coming forward publicly and admitting that Lepage said this. Don't they want a future for their party in Maine?  I can't believe that a more moderate Republican hasn't jumped in to challenge Lepage in the Republican primary. If it was a moderate Republican in the Governor's office who was equally as at risk as the current Governor, I have no doubt that a tea party candidate would jump in.

This speaks to the clout that the Tea Party folks continue to have, even in a moderate state like Maine. Republicans don't want to cross them. The moderates like our Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe just hold their nose and support him. This is gutlessness and I cannot imagine it is good for the GOP as a whole.

On the other hand, these types of remarks from the governor tend to thrill his hardcore supporters who seem to be steadfastly behind him no matter what. Make no mistake, these people vote. I would even go so far as to say this solidifies his support with some folks who might have been turned off with some of his other actions. When  Lepage resorts to the lowest common denominator, it may help him in the long run.

If indeed there is further concrete confirmation that Lepage made this inflammatory remark about the President, I hope it will be the catalyst needed to propel him out of office in 2014. From the looks of it, it will take a Democrat or an independent, not a moderate Republican, to make his exit happen.

BOMBS AWAY! BLOWHARD PAUL LEPAGE JUST CAN'T HELP HIMSELF

Maine's Governor seems unable to stifle himself when it comes to making stupid and offensive comments. The latest one was made while he was trying out a jet fighter simulator at the Pratt & Whitney plant in North Berwick, Maine. Lepage joked that he'd like to find the Portland Press Herald building and then bomb it. Of course, like many a moron before him, he guffawed heartily at his own "joke."

This man may not have been born with a silver foot in his mouth, as Anne Richards said of George H.W. Bush, but he does seem to have permanent foot-in-mouth disease. Sadly, the 30-35 percent of the electorate that love him will think this latest comment is the height of hilarity. They'll say he is "plain spoken,"  he "tells it like it is," and that he's not "politically correct." But for most Mainers, every time he comes up with one of his juvenile "quips," we cringe, knowing that he does not represent most residents of our state.

Of course, his comments are simply a side show when compared to the harmful policies he has brought forth upon our great state. He blocked the Medicaid expansion thereby throwing many Mainers off the Mainecare rolls in January, and denying many more the opportunity to get vital coverage. He blocked the minimum wage increase, which, quite frankly, was modest. He vetoed a bill that would help parents find out what harmful chemicals might be used in the packaging of their children's food, and the list goes on.

I am still in hopes that somehow, when the legislature gets back to work in January, they can coerce a few more Republican legislators to support the expansion of Medicaid. I can't imagine they are not receiving backlash from their constituents on this issue. I do hope and pray that we can start the ground work for a Lepage defeat in November, so that the state can return to its former progressive path. Please, let the fates be kind and NOT allow us to split the anti-Lepage vote like we did in 2010. To quote the title of  the facebook page I started,, Lepage Must Go!

REP MIKE NADEAU AND CHARLIE WEBSTER: WHERE'S YOUR PROOF?

Its been quite some time since I posted, I have been spending a lot of time managing my Lepage Must Go Facebook page, which has over 2700 likes as of today.

In this time the Maine Ethics Commission's investigation into accusations of illegal campaign activities by Rep Mike Nadeau and his campaign treasurer Phil Soucy have been resolved.  Apparently it was a split decision,the charges against Nadeau's campaign treasurer Phil Soucy were dismissed, and the serious allegations of collusion between Mike' campaign and the political group that Soucy was also treasurer of were not proven. Apparently a campaign volunteer did illegally buy an ad for Mike's campaign and this volunteer will be fined.

Interestingly, Nadeau posted a paranoid rant on Facebook a few days prior to the Commission's findings. Also, interestingly, the post was deleted soon after, along with some inflammatory charges put forth by former state Republican Party chair Charlie Webster in the comment section. Luckily I saved the text of both the post by Mike Nadeau and Charlie Webster's comments. This is what Mike posted:

"have not posted in a while because of the allegations pending. hearing on Monday and I think the lynching will be right after. thus far they have done any thing under the sun to discredit and destroy my life, my family, and my store, my friends, and every thing that is good in my life. they use the press and if you look at the press you will see that they have never interviewed me to get the real story. I have not been afforded any way of response since this began in November. a few in the
unbiased real press will get a story that will shock all of you and I hope will spring all of you to action, not for me but for your selves because you could be next. a heartfelt thanks to all my supporters and for those with question s, the answers are coming but not from the media that keeps reporting half stories meant to destroy.
prayers please."

                                           Rep. Mike Nadeau            Charlie Webster

I don't know what to make of this and I am waiting for his big tell all revelation concerning the persecution that was brought upon him via this investigation. And as far as the media is concerned, the stories I read concerning the charges were simply statements of the facts surrounding the case. Why do I have a feeling that the "true story" a la Nadeau will never come forth? And as an aside, the use of the word "lynching" is a little extreme and is an insult to the memory of the thousands of African Americans who actually suffered this treatment. I imagine Mike didn't mean to offend.

But far more interesting to me was the comment that Charlie Webster made underneath Mike's post, which was of course, deleted with the post. This is what he wrote:

"I served with John Martin and personally witnessed what he is capable of doing, when he loses. Anyone who thinks that this "investigation" is anything other than John Martin's allies trying to discredit Mike, they need to think again. John Martin has shown that he will say and do anything to
stay in power. The sad thing is that others are doing his bidding."

In 2012 Nadeau defeated long serving Rep John Martin in a close race. Charlie, who apparently recruited Mike to run and helped him corral the support he needed, makes a bald face accusation that John Martin was behind the investigation! Does Webster have proof? I think not, Webster is not big on proof. His allegations of wide spread voter fraud after the 2012 election were never proven.

                                                                     John Martin

So I am waiting for the proof of the great conspiracy theory put forth by Nadeau and his mentor Webster. I think they owe it to the public. Nadeau accepted public clean election funding for his campaign. With that money comes rules and regulations that are clearly spelled out on the website of the Maine Ethics Commission. And if these charges were politically motivated by the supposedly all powerful Martin, why were some of them dismissed? The Maine Ethics Commission is a bi-partisan  group that investigates and rules on possible infractions of clean election rules. The Commission consists of two Democrats, two Republicans, and one independent.

It is no secret that I do not see eye to eye with Mike Nadeau on political issues, but all our elected officials need to explain themselves when they make accusations. Proof is required, not just hearsay. You owe your constituents as much.