The Latest: Rally for decency held after governor's outburst

The Latest: Rally for decency held after governor's outburst


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AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Latest on fallout from GOP Gov. Paul LePage's obscenity-laced tirade against a Democratic legislator (all times local):

7:50 p.m.

About 200 Maine residents have gathered to rally for decency and to call for civil discourse following Republican Gov. Paul LePage's obscenity-laced tirade against a Democratic legislator.

They held the event Wednesday night in Westbrook, the hometown of state Rep. Drew Gattine (gah-TEEN').

Last week LePage left Gattine a foul-mouthed voicemail message and told reporters he wished he could go back in time and challenge Gattine to a duel and point a gun "right between his eyes." LePage says he was angry because he believed Gattine had called him a racist, something Gattine denies.

Westbrook initially was going to host a town hall meeting with LePage at a teen center. But the host cited space concerns and the event was canceled. Many residents opposed the idea of LePage holding such an event in the city after recently bashing Gattine.

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3:40 p.m.

The chairman of the Maine Republican Party says he doesn't deny that GOP Gov. Paul LePage has flaws, but he also believes the governor is a passionate fighter for the state's people.

GOP Chairman Rick Bennett said Wednesday that residents are "understandably outraged" by comments recently made by LePage.

Last week, the governor left an obscene message on the voicemail of a Democratic legislator and accused minorities of driving Maine's heroin crisis.

Bennett says Maine residents have also "benefited greatly" from LePage's time as governor. LePage was elected in 2010. Bennett says LePage has demonstrated his commitment to the state by focusing on issues such as economic growth.

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11 a.m.

Maine Gov. Paul LePage is rejecting some lawmakers' assertions that he has addiction or mental health issues and is vowing that he won't resign.

Addressing a handful of reporters Wednesday, the Republican said he's not an alcoholic or drug addict and doesn't "have mental issues."

LePage says he plans to seek "spiritual guidance" in hopes of quieting a controversy he created when he left an obscene message on a Democratic lawmaker's voicemail and then said he wished he could challenge him to a duel and point a gun at him.

But he also blamed the media for fueling the controversy and said he won't be speaking to reporters anymore.

LePage apologized to the lawmaker earlier Wednesday. He said he was angry because state Rep. Drew Gattine called him a racist, something Gattine has denied.

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10:15 a.m.

Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage says he and his family will seek "spiritual guidance" after he created a controversy by leaving an obscene rant on a Democratic lawmaker's voicemail and said he'd like to point a gun between the lawmaker's eyes.

LePage met with the lawmaker Wednesday to apologize personally for his behavior last week.

Some legislators had called for the governor to seek help, and LePage responded Wednesday by saying he was seeking "spiritual guidance" in finding closure.

In a statement, his wife said the family recognizes "the grace and guidance from God can make us stronger in life."

LePage said he was angry because state Rep. Drew Gattine called him a racist, something Gattine has denied. LePage has said repeatedly blacks and Hispanics are responsible for fueling Maine's heroin epidemic.

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9:50 a.m.

Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage has met with a Democratic lawmaker to apologize for leaving an obscene rant on his voicemail and for making a comment about aiming a gun between his eyes.

Rep. Drew Gattine (gah-TEEN') said Wednesday that despite the apology he thinks LePage should no longer serve as governor.

LePage concluded his voicemail by saying "I am after you" and then told reporters he wished he could go back in time so he could challenge Gattine to a duel and point a gun "right between his eyes."

LePage said he was angry because Gattine called him a racist, something Gattine has denied.

LePage has stood by his comments that started the controversy. He has said repeatedly blacks and Hispanics are responsible for fueling Maine's heroin epidemic.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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