Associated Press
Following up on an item from Laura Conaway last week, Maine is now home to something fairly rare: divided political government. With most states going either "red" or "blue" in 2012, Maine voters elected a new Democratic majority in the state legislature to work with the Maine's conservative, combative governor, Paul LePage (R).
At this point, however, the often-erratic governor doesn't even want to chat with the incoming state Senate majority leader.
Gov. Paul LePage isn't taking up the state Senate's top Democrat on his offer to meet for an introductory dinner and discuss plans to work together as a new Legislature with Democratic majorities gets to work this winter.
LePage spokeswoman Adrienne Bennett said Monday the governor still wants the Legislature's top leaders -- Senate President Justin Alfond of Portland and House Speaker Mark Eves of North Berwick -- to condemn the Maine Democratic Party's use of a tracker to film LePage at all of his public appearances.
In literally every state, it is now common practice for parties -- on both sides of the aisle -- to send "trackers" to monitor the public appearances of governors, senators, congressional lawmakers, and candidates for each of these offices.
It's probably unpleasant, but it's also an unavoidable hassle for those seeking and holding prominent political offices in the 21st century. Some handle the pressure of being filmed gracefully, some don't.
But in Maine, LePage finds the scrutiny of his public appearances so outrageous, he's throwing a tantrum unlike anything we've seen from any public official in the country.
Indeed, the governor is ignoring a handwritten dinner invitation from the new Democratic Senate leader in the state, who offered to eat at a place of the governor's choosing, along with their spouses. The Bangor Daily News reported that LePage won't meet with the Democratic leaders "until they called on their party to stop tracking him."
The chief executive of a state will consider talking to state legislative leaders as soon as they tell their friends to stop taking pictures of the governor in public?
LePage has routinely been an embarrassment to Maine since taking office two years ago, but this is just sad.
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If I was a Democrat in Maine, I'd put up opposing signs.
"Governor, we're taking your picture because we find you so handsome."
"Governor, everyone likes to watch a train wreck happening. That's why we're taking your picture."
The governor who would be king! LePage needs to go back to politics 101 and grow a better sense of political propriety! He is not inaccessible once elected, despite what he would prefer. He should quit pouting and begin governing with the help of his democratic state congress!
We're all watching you now Paul! -Kevo
A country which cannot or will not legislate in its own best interests can no longer be called, "The home of the brave."
What a bunch of cowardly people now calling the shots for America.
I think that's why it's called a public office.
Refusing to meet the legislative majority leaders is an invitation to the legislature to ignore the governor's requests. LePage is going to find himself alone and friendless in government. At best he can veto legislation and call himself governor, but he will have little power over what comes out of the legislature which will set the agenda. That veto power will have little meaning if Republicans in the legislature do not back the governor. Finally, the governor will find his requests for more money for his staff ignored and possibly even reduced.
He'll be gone in 2014, the political fluke he always was, from beginning to end.
What a brat.
Many here would be too young, or might not remember this.
There once was a Democratic Presidential candidate named Gary Hart from Colorado. During the run up to the conventions, there were a bunch of rumors flying around that Senator Hart was having an extramarital affair.
Hart challenged the press, "Follow me around. I don't care. I'm serious. If anybody wants to put a tail on me, go ahead. They'll be very bored."
Two reporters from the Miami Herald followed (discretely) Hart everywhere he went.
Eventually they caught Hart and Donna Rice on a yacht. To this day, I still find the name of the yacht hilariously ironic. "Monkey Business".
Ordinarily, I would say something about people getting the government they deserve, but given that this guy "won" with 38% of the vote because there were three(!) indies on the ballot, I'd just suggest it might be time to look at adding the concept of runoffs to their election law.
Something I remember about heat in the kitchen? Very old fashioned, very conservative.
Truman: "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."
I just told my husband the same thing. LOL
I'm willing to bet he didn't go far, India. Heat in the kitchen means dinner's on the way.
I'll bet he made it to the living room. He knows who the boss is. lol
I'll get you guys yet!
Larry, I'm afraid the boss is small, black, tail-less and furry: Jack.
Poor, poor Pepe LePew, all he wants is love!
At least there will be evidence of which hunter mistook him for a moose.
Actually we in Maine find Governor LePage sort of amusing. He wasn't able to do too much damage while he had a Republican senate and house so he should be neutralized for the rest of his term. He may not be very smart but he did win with fully 38% of the vote.
That's not winning, that's just losing by the least amount.
Well, then he could just resign if he can't handle meeting with Democrats, then you can elect a Democrat, Independent, or even a moderate Repub that is not so partisan or separatist.
Hey, he's bad but he's stupid bad. There are a few Governors in the MIdwest who are just bad.
And now he has the legislature that he deserves.
Oh for cripes sake. GOVERN YOU FOOL. GOVERN. You're GONE in two years.
LePage, please stop talking. You are embarrassing the 62% of us who didn't vote for you.
Oh no, now there's been a shooting at an Oregon mall. One dead, multiple injuries. It never ends. Herer's what I don't understand about the right-wing "Pro-lifers":
1. Pro life.
2. Pro gun
3. Pro capital punishment.
4. Pro war.
5. Anti food stamps, safety nets for the elderly.
What is wrong with this picture? I took logic in school. Maybe they need a crash course.
The people of Maine need to vote this joker's butt out in the next election.
Its imposable to meet with someone if you got your head so far up your ass...
He's just a prop anyway, he has nothng to say except what ALEC tells him to say. He's waiting for the script from the Koch Brothers, they've given him the task of doing absolutely nothing, wait for the call from your backers or your bookies, whichever you prefer.
What's really embarrassing for Maine is that they voted for this joker in the first place.