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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):
2:50 p.m.
The top Democrat in the Maine Senate says the state should consider a constitutional amendment to allow for a recall of Republican Gov. Paul LePage.
Justin Alfond said Monday that the process of changing the Maine Constitution to allow for a recall would be long and arduous but could be worth it to try to remove LePage from office. However, Alfond says LePage should step down immediately anyway.
LePage said Friday that he would not resign unless several of his political opponents do as well.
Democrats and Republicans in the state are considering what to do about an obscene tirade LePage left on the cellphone of a Democratic lawmaker and his governor's recent remarks that blacks and Hispanics make up the majority of drug arrests in the state.
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2:30 p.m.
Maine horror writer Stephen King is chiming in on recent controversial remarks by Gov. Paul LePage, saying the Republican is "a bigot, a homophobe and a racist."
King made the comments on Twitter this weekend.
Last week, the governor said blacks and Hispanics make up the majority of drug arrests in the state. He also left an obscenity-laced tirade on a Democratic lawmaker's voicemail, calling him a vulgar name that can also be used as a gay slur.
LePage said he believed the lawmaker had called him a racist, which the lawmaker denies. LePage says he takes it "very seriously" when someone calls him a racist.
Last year, King told the governor to "man up and apologize" after LePage said states without income taxes had lured away Maine residents including King.
King maintains his Bangor residence.
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1:30 p.m.
Republican leaders in Maine are calling for a closed-door meeting with GOP Gov. Paul LePage, who sparked outrage last week by leaving an obscenity-laced voicemail for a Democratic legislator and threatening violence.
Republican Senate President Mike Thibodeau (THIH'-buh-doh) says LePage should take "corrective action" for his "unacceptable" conduct. He says he hopes legislators don't have to censure the governor.
Thibodeau and House Minority Leader Ken Fredette said Monday they want to meet with LePage before deciding what to do. House Republicans will caucus Tuesday to discuss a strategy.
LePage apologized Friday to "the people of Maine" but not to Democratic Rep. Drew Gattine (gah-TEEN'), the target of his voicemail. LePage said his outburst was justified because Gattine called him a racist — something Gattine denied.
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