LePage Calls Obama A ‘Dictator’ While Cleaning Up ‘Authoritarian’ Comments

Republican gubernatorial candidate Paul LePage exits a news conference where he outlined his job-creation plan, in Augusta, Maine, on Monday, Sept. 13, 2010. LePage deflected questions about taxes paid on a Florida... Republican gubernatorial candidate Paul LePage exits a news conference where he outlined his job-creation plan, in Augusta, Maine, on Monday, Sept. 13, 2010. LePage deflected questions about taxes paid on a Florida home. He replied testily that questions about tax exemptions claimed by his wife already have been answered. The Kennebec Journal reported last week that Ann LePage claimed permanent residency in both states and could be fined in Florida. LePage's campaign described it as a "paperwork error." (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach) MORE LESS
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In a press conference Wednesday morning, Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) cleared up that he meant to describe Donald Trump as “authoritative” rather than “authoritarian” in a Tuesday interview.

“Instead of the word authoritative, I used the word authoritarian,” LePage told reporters, calling it a “misword.”

He also doubled down on his criticism of President Barack Obama, who he called a “dictator.”

“I called him autocratic yesterday, but let me be very clear,” LePage said, winding up. “I believe the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, is a dictator.”

LePage went on to praise Trump as “a very powerful personality.”

The Maine governor held the entire press conference behind a podium adorned with Clinton-scandal-themed Russian nesting dolls:

According to a report by the Portland Press Herald, LePage explained that the dolls represented dwindling global respect for the United States.

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