New audio from a recent LePage campaign event released today by Maine Democrats shows that what LePage says in public and private about his so-called “new” approach to governing are starkly different. While LePage says in public that he’s changed, in private he’s telling people that he’s once again gearing up to fight the State Legislature – refuting his own public claims that he is going to be more conciliatory in his approach to governing and setting up Maine for years of division if he’s reelected:
"I'm gonna tell both houses [of the Legislature], anything that's not a full law that requires the input of the bureaucracy is gonna get vetoed. I want the full law. And the other thing, in the second term, the second year of a biennial, is supposed to be only emergency bills. But anything's an emergency according to a legislator, so if it doesn't fall under the definition of an emergency, that's gonna get vetoed."
Earlier this year LePage told NewsCenterMAINE that he’s changed, saying that “if we don’t find a path to at least like each other and respect each other, our country is in for doom” and “we need to find a path to have civil discourse so we can talk both sides of the argument.”
But in private, LePage is making clear that he’s preparing to govern by division again, doubling down on the failed approach of his first eight years. During his time as governor, LePage issued a record number of vetoes, vetoing more legislation than all governors before him combined – and even vetoing some bills out of spite. His divisive and combative approach to governing resulted in gridlock and even contributed to the first government shutdown in 25 years. Just check out these headlines:
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Bangor Daily News: “LePage Swears, Storms Out of Meeting with Independent House Members, Lawmakers Say.”
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Governing: “Maine Governor Vetoes Every Democratic Bill Out of Spite.”
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The Hill: “Maine Gov Leaves Expletive-Filled Voicemail for State Lawmaker.”
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Governing: “Paul LePage: The Governor at War With Both Political Parties.”
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Associated Press: “Some in GOP fed up with Maine’s bombastic governor.”
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Bangor Daily News Editorial Board: “LePage’s complaints about Maine reflect his lack of leadership.”
“When he’s in front of a camera, Paul LePage says he’s changed but when he’s behind closed doors, he reveals he’s the same as he ever was. After years of LePage’s gridlock and dysfunction, Mainers were clear that they wanted a real leader like Janet Mills and a Legislature that can work together to deliver bipartisan results for Maine people,” said Misha Linnehan, spokesperson for the Maine Democratic Party. “Now, despite what he tries to claim for the cameras, LePage is making it clear that he’s ready to return to an era of partisanship and gridlock, where little gets accomplished and Maine people pay the price for it.”
LePage’s comments come as he continues to incessantly lie, bully reporters, and double down on the disastrous policies from his time in office. His promise to restart fights with the Legislature is just one more point of proof that he’s the same old LePage.
The Maine Democratic Party will continue to hold LePage accountable for his brazen lies.