Maine Guv LePage Jokes His Re-Election Will Put Columnist On ‘Suicide Watch’

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, left, and Maine Gov. Paul LePage, acknowledge applause at a campaign rally for LePage, Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, in Portland, Maine. LePage is being challenged by Democrat Mike Michaud and... New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, left, and Maine Gov. Paul LePage, acknowledge applause at a campaign rally for LePage, Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, in Portland, Maine. LePage is being challenged by Democrat Mike Michaud and independent Elliot Cutler. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) MORE LESS

Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R), who is known for speaking exactly what’s on his mind, is pretty confident in his re-election prospects.

How confident? At a rally Monday night in Portland alongside New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), LePage told the audience that a local newspaper columnist ought to be put on a “suicide watch” ahead of his possible victory.

The governor asked for a volunteer from the crowd to watch over Bill Nemitz, a Portland Press Herald columnist who is critical of LePage, according to the Associated Press.

“I want to put Bill Nemitz on a suicide watch,” LePage said to laughter from the audience, as quoted by the AP. “We’ve got to make sure that for the next 24 hours that he doesn’t go anywhere near the new Bucksport bridge.”

Nemitz responded on Twitter:

The TPM Polltracker average has challenger Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME) leading LePage 45.1 percent to 44.2 percent, with independent candidate Eliot Cutler polling at 9.3 percent.

29
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. I can see Maine from my porch! Yup, I live in northern NH, three miles from Maine, which I am looking into as I type. Now: Let us pray: That Michaux takes it and that we’ve seen the last of this ugly vicious hurtfulTeabaggin’ thug LePage. Still, it amazes me how many run-down double-wide trailers and trashy old houses I see with LePage signs. Resentment of Blacks and Latinos, Gays and Liberals, and the Educated is a powerful force which Republicans are expert at ginning up.

  2. What a tacky comment. Suicide is not a joke nor should it be a punchline against anyone - particularly coming from a governor of a state.What an awful thing to say. And people laughed? Disgusting.

    If LePage wins, he should send a HUGE gift basket to Cutler.

  3. Every single Cutler supporter that I know has told me that they are switching to Michaud. I think once they step into the booth, they will realize that a vote for Cutler is really a vote for LePage and will pull the lever for Mike.

  4. I was hoping Gov. Cochon wanted Nemitz to watch HIS suicide.

  5. Avatar for jw1 jw1 says:

    Help to make LePage’s remark be the political equivalent:

    jw1

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

23 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for publishermike Avatar for sabatia Avatar for jw1 Avatar for srfromgr Avatar for mattinpa Avatar for artemisia Avatar for leftflank Avatar for grokenstein Avatar for cwazycajun Avatar for trumpdog Avatar for jimtoday Avatar for fourlegsgood Avatar for randyabraham Avatar for sniffit Avatar for phillydave Avatar for photoglyph Avatar for neal_anderthal Avatar for captaincommonsense

Continue Discussion