GOVERNOR'S RACE
LePage touts his hard knocks
By DAVID SHARP, Associated Press Writer
WATERVILLE — Paul LePage was just 11 when another beating landed him in the hospital. At his bedside, he said, his father — a mill-worker whose blows had put him there — handed him a 50-cent piece.
Paul LePage
“He said, ‘You’re going to see the doctor tomorrow. Just tell him you fell down the stairs,’” LePage recalled.
Right then, LePage decided he would run away.
He hustled on the streets, shining shoes, selling newspapers, begging. He slept at friends’ homes, at the stables at the fairgrounds, in an upstairs room at a strip joint. Eventually, kindhearted adults took him. He went to college, then became general manager of a chain of popular surplus stores. A Republican, he later became mayor of heavily Democratic Waterville.
Now a candidate for governor, LePage says the hard knocks helped to shape the way he governs.
“Anything can be done if you put your head and your mind and your energy to it,” LePage, 61, said from behind his desk at City Hall.
“You can fix anything if you want to.”
In a state known for centrist Republicans, including Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, LePage courted conservatives, tea partiers and independents to defeat six other Republicans, winning a spot on the November ballot with Democratic Senate President Libby Mitchell and three independents.
The race is considered wide open. LePage’s backstory and French heritage, along with an anti-status quo sentiment among the electorate, should help him, said Mark Brewer, political science professor at the University of Maine.
“He has a shot,” Brewer said.
One of LePage’s opponents, independent Eliot Cutler, acknowledges LePage’s life story is compelling, but Cutler thinks voters will be more swayed by who has the best plan to bring jobs to the state and “who’s going to be the best ambassador for Maine.”
The story of LePage’s impoverished youth, recounted to The Associated Press by him, his brother and two people who took him in, reads like pages torn from a Dickens tale, with Lewiston and its bustling textile and shoemaking mills in the 1950s serving as the backdrop.
The mills drew French-speaking workers from Canada who settled in tenements in a neighborhood known as “Little Canada.” LePage was a product of that heritage: He’s Roman Catholic and he speaks French.
It wasn’t an easy life for his family. LePage remembers sharing the home with 11 of his 18 siblings and sharing a bed with five of his brothers.
His father, overwhelmed, took to drinking.
Things came to a head in 1960, when Paul LePage was nearing his 12th birthday. His father beat and kicked the boy, breaking his nose and sending him to the hospital, LePage said.
“He’d hit you with anything he had in his hand,” one of LePage’s brothers, Maurice LePage, said from his home in Deltona, Fla. “Today, if he had done one quarter of what he did he’d be in jail.”
It was a different era and people helped Paul LePage after he ran away. He did errands for men at the social clubs on Lisbon Street, he said, and made money shining the shoes of Brunswick Naval Air Station sailors at a strip club.
Eventually, LePage found work assisting Pepsi delivery truck driver Bruce Myrick.
Myrick remembers taking LePage home one day, only to find that it was empty.
“They took the kids and the furniture and didn’t leave a forwarding address,” said Myrick, who now runs a motorcycle business. “So I lugged him home with me.”
LePage also began working at a restaurant owned by Eddy Collins called Theriault’s, which was next to his family’s tenement. After spending some time with Myrick’s family, LePage went to live with Collins. He’d help at the restaurant before breakfast, then go to school.
“We treated him like a son, and we still do,” Collins said.
Back then, Theriault’s was a hangout for the local politicians. Myrick introduced LePage to the late Peter Snowe, first husband of Sen. Olympia Snowe, and Collins introduced him to Thomas J. Anthoine, owner of Anthoine Rubber Co. Inc. Both men offered to help with college, LePage said.
His English was poor and no college wanted him. But Peter Snowe encouraged him to seek an interview at Husson College, and he was allowed to take an achievement test in French, LePage said. At Husson, LePage earned the “Outstanding Graduate” award. Later, he received his MBA from the University of Maine.
These days, LePage is general manager of Marden’s, a chain of surplus and salvage stores that are popular with penny-conscious consumers. He’s married and has five grown children, including two from a previous marriage.
He remains close to his brother Maurice and a sister who also lives in Florida. Both have done well. But several other siblings are on welfare or have gone to jail, he said.
His mother and father both died.
LePage acknowledges some of his conservative ideals — he opposes abortion, for example — may not be popular here. As governor, though, he says his priority would be cutting spending, reducing the size of state government and easing the state’s regulatory scheme.
In Waterville, he has cut taxes by 13 percent and found ways to save money while maintaining services.
Democrats, for their part, are trying to paint him as an extremist because he had the support of many tea party members and sympathizers, including those who took over the GOP platform at the convention.
“If you come to Waterville, I don’t believe that we’ve done anything that’s really wacko. We’ve lowered our taxes. We’ve built our rainy day fund. We got a credit upgrade. And we didn’t cut services. So if that’s wacko, then I’m wacko,” he said.
Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form
Most...
Copyright ©2010 MaineToday Media, Inc.
74 COMMENTS
Divinity said...
If believing that creationism should be taught in biology classes is wacko, then Paul is wacko. If believing that current civil contract law is sufficient to ensure the rights of LGBT couples is wacko, then Paul is wacko. If believing in the GOP platform is wacko, then Paul is wacko. If building a political base catering to Refounders and tea partiers is wacko, then Paul is wacko. If thinking that his experience as Waterville's mayor and at Marden's has prepared him for the role of Governor is wacko, then Paul is wacko. If thinking that the pap and sound-bites he posts are the foundation for sound policy is wacko, Paul is wacko. If claiming that his social values are irrelevant to his governing philosophy is wacko, then Paul is wacko. If running with the campaign slogan “I’m not a wacko” is wacko, . . .
July 12, 2010 at 1:02 AM Report abuse
Aroostook said...
I am a Republican who will be voting for Shawn Moody. Keep the govenment off you body and the church out of the classroom. Shawn Moody represents the true independent spirit of Maine!
July 12, 2010 at 2:54 AM Report abuse
Jazz11 said...
This man is one of the brightest minds of the 13th century.
July 12, 2010 at 4:11 AM Report abuse
papa2 said...
Oh poor me I had it rough when I was a kid. So vote for me to be governor. Does he think he is the only one that had a rough childhood. I for one get tired of reading about how bad his childhood was. I bet his kids had to listen to that every day. enough already...
July 12, 2010 at 5:49 AM Report abuse
Govt2Big said...
The financial problems for Maine are HUGE at best, so it's time for a strong fiscal conservative to lead us back to a better place. Don't listen to extreme Far-Lefties like Divinity, because s/he only cares about herself/himself. Please take some time and review the LePage website at http://www.lepage2010.com - especially the position statements and informational videos. Have a great day!
July 12, 2010 at 5:53 AM Report abuse
ThistleDew said...
I knew that Divinity would be all over this...There is no crime in believing in creationism or being anti-abortion. LePage has said that neither would affect his governorship. Re: LGBT couples, He has only said that he is on the side of the majority of Maine voters. He also admits that he's not a great speaker, but the one thing that can't be ignored is his proven record of success.. HE GETS THE JOB DONE. Beholden to no one, and with a no nonsense attitude, he is our best hope to turn this state around. The alternative is more of the same BS... No thank you! Aroostook, Your Rep. vote for Moody is surely your right, but he will not win. With due respect, my view is a wasted Rep. vote is a vote for Mitchell. We would both agree that a Mitchell win would be a disaster. What IS "wacko" is wanting more of the same tax and spend methods that got us to where we are today..on the brink of financial disaster. LePage for Governor!
July 12, 2010 at 5:59 AM Report abuse
mungo said...
>>>Paul Lepage voted to raise the income taxes for Maine's working families. >>>>>If you work for a living in Maine you will pay more income taxes thanks to Paul Lepage and his supporters. >>>>Paul Lepage supported a tax cut for tourist and summer people that will be paid for by raising the income taxes for Maine's working families.
July 12, 2010 at 6:14 AM Report abuse
mzopinion said...
Carrer polititions like Libby, are the reasons not only our State but our Federal Govenment as well are in a mess. Lepage is not from a life of privilage. He like most of us is from the school of hard knocks and can realy understand what it is like out in the real world. His no nonsense aproached is what is needed to effectuate real change.And papa2, I dont think Lepage believes he is the only one with a rough childhood, one has to know were they came from in order to know were they are going.
July 12, 2010 at 6:43 AM Report abuse
Divinity said...
mzopinion said..."Carrer polititions ..." ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Let me guess - "carrier pigeons"?
July 12, 2010 at 7:10 AM Report abuse
1wouldthink said...
Finally a candidate for Governor who KNOWS the working class of Maine because he IS one. The best the Dems can come up with is Libby Mitchell? Everything that conservative Mainers oppose, she's not only for...she's the root cause. This November, remember who has had the reins in this run-away government spending horse race. Vote LePage.
July 12, 2010 at 7:10 AM Report abuse
Divinity said...
1wouldthink said...""who has had the reins in this run-away government spending horse race." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finally, someone who knows the meaning of "tout"
July 12, 2010 at 7:15 AM Report abuse
Divinity said...
ThistleDew said...”no crime in believing in creationism or being anti-abortion. LePage has said that neither would affect his governorship. Re: LGBT couples, He has only said that he is on the side of the majority of Maine voters. “ ______________ Miss LeDew, you may call me “Vini”; that’s what the sharp ones at Ft. Benning knew me as (You may remember Maj Gen Wojdakowski;the DAIG found the allegation against him from Abu Ghraib unsubstantiated. It took Vincent Vega to take Dad down.) Anyone who has been in Psy Ops knows that the crime is not in believing; it’s in the behaviors based upon the beliefs (anyone denying that their beliefs will be reflected in their behaviors is in denial.) Hiding behind others, e.g. “only said that he is on the side of the majority," is belied by Paul’s own comments. Unlike many of you, he opposes civil unions. He believes creationism should be taught in schools alongside evolutionary biology. He doesn’t have the intellectual HP for high office.
July 12, 2010 at 7:38 AM Report abuse
mom92 said...
He has my vote and most of friends say the same we want a real man and he seems to know what the real people are living like here.There are more poor working class than yuppies
July 12, 2010 at 7:39 AM Report abuse
Sam said...
Lepage and his supporters are trying to take credit for City of Waterville budgets he was legally forbidden from creating or changing! He could not possibly have balanced a single budget, cut spending or reduced taxes because he was forbidden from doing so by the City Charter. Only a totally dishonest person with questionable morals would pretend other people's accomplishments are his own and only an egomaniac would then use that outrageous lie to try to get votes! his utter lack of actual (not dishonestly claimed) financial experience in the public sector may explain why he actually claims he would reduce sizes in public schools as governor, but it would not cost any extra money. We really don't need a governor who will require training wheels at this point.
July 12, 2010 at 7:46 AM Report abuse
207MC said...
The ones who make the most noise are the ones who are the most scared. What are you afraid of, traditional living, getting the budget back on track, or more jobs? Read and study what the candidates have to offer and vote your own mind and not with the majority because you want to be like everybody else. If you want to be cool and edgey think for yourself.
July 12, 2010 at 7:56 AM Report abuse
98thret said...
If you worship a wicker symbol, you might be a wacko.
July 12, 2010 at 8:06 AM Report abuse
hallowellboy said...
LePage needs to get his story straight. Did he run away from home or did his family abandon him? He claims both self-serving sob stories in the same article. If he lies about this, what else is has he lied about. Maine does not need another dishonest politician in office.
July 12, 2010 at 8:09 AM Report abuse
BillyFiske said...
A lot of people here to attack Mr LePage but I didn't see a lot of them defending Libby Mitchell after a letter was published the other day. Interesting, reduced to atacking without anything to support? I see even some of the independents getting more support than Libby.
July 12, 2010 at 8:16 AM Report abuse
BillyFiske said...
"mungo said... >>>Paul Lepage voted to raise the income taxes for Maine's working families. >>>>>If you work for a living in Maine you will pay more income taxes thanks to Paul Lepage and his supporters. >>>>Paul Lepage supported a tax cut for tourist and summer people that will be paid for by raising the income taxes for Maine's working families."--------------------- Hmmm...a standard deduction couple making $50,000 would have received $17 cut the first year and tax increases in the years after. A couple making $1 million would have received a cut of over $13,000. Middle class people with high medical bills, homowers, the charitable, construction workers all receiving income tax increases. The Democrats did not fool the people with their tax cuts for the wealthy including wealthy non-residents who made enough money in Maine and you are not fooling anyone mungo.
July 12, 2010 at 8:26 AM Report abuse
Ripple said...
The choice is simple, if you want the continuation of the downward spiral of Maine's economy, increased size of Government, expanded Welfare programs funded by higher taxes on Maine citizens, if you feel that Maine needs stifling business regulations resulting in more closures and less jobs, regulations that have lead Maine to expensive energy and highest in the country health care costs, than Libby Mitchell is your choice. If you want a person who will govern to change this direction, than Paul Lepage is your candidate, he has the record including the support of over 700 Waterville Democrats who approved of his performance as Mayor by placing his name as their choice for Governor during the Democrat primary election. Let's give him the opportunity to transfer Maine from a Welfare state into a working state, the choice is clear.
July 12, 2010 at 8:32 AM Report abuse
O_o said...
yeah, the guy sounds like a real extremist. bush league all right. (sarcasm)
July 12, 2010 at 8:35 AM Report abuse
Sam said...
One quick easy question: How is Lepage going to reduce class sizes in the public schools without increasing costs? And vague hand waving about non specific, undefined mythical "efficiencies" doesn't count. Exactly how is Lepage expecting to implement a promised VERY COSTLY program without increasing costs?
July 12, 2010 at 9:09 AM Report abuse
Sam said...
I do not have any problem with the concept of reducing class sizes. In an ideal world (where spending without limits was perfectly OK and had no negative consequences) that would be an excellent thing to do. The problem I have is, just like Mr. Lepage's made up stories about his great achievement's as Waterville's mayor (when he is expressly forbidden by law from the very achievements he is claiming!), he is promising some wonderful improvements in education by waving some kind of magic wand. It won't work, it can't work from a simple numbers perspective, and Lepage just demonstrates his complete and utter ignorance of public finance by making such outlandish impossible claims! Perhaps Lepage is delusional enough to believe he "balanced budgets" that he was not allowed to write or change. That would explain his fuzzy math on the schools, because being delusional appears to be the only way one could believe that they could achieve something VERY EXPENSIVE with no cost increase.
July 12, 2010 at 9:16 AM Report abuse
TiredMainer said...
Wow. I thought that the Liberals would like LePages' hard luck story. I thought you were the party of compassion. I guess we now know that the Liberals are the true haters based on the posts of divinity and mungo. It's time for a real change in Augusta. Vote Lepage and give him a chance to save our state before it's too late.
July 12, 2010 at 9:17 AM Report abuse
Jones824 said...
I would like to know why the KJ REMOVED THE ENTIRE WEB PAGE AND ALL THE COMMENTS FROM SUNDAY JULY 11 ABOUT THE "Really think police work's a game?" Are all our comments for NOTHING. If we are allowed FREE SPEECH then that speech should be allowed to REMAIN on the air. DO YOU HAVE A REPLY TO THIS KJ? If the web pages with this kind of story are made to disappear then this online EXPRESSION OF OUR VIEWS IS FOR NOTHING AND OUR FREEDOM OF FREE SPEECH IS JUST A MIRAGE.
July 12, 2010 at 9:27 AM Report abuse
Merrigan said...
The headline in this piece is so condescending. It almost implies dishonesty or that LePage's personal experience doesn't matter. Can you imagine this headline being used for someone who was, for example, African American, talking about his experience of racism? Like so many of the KJ's headlines and writing, it reflects bias. LePage is being labeled because he's an average Mainer from a blue collar background. Say what you will, but this man has character and decency and is real. There's a lot to admire about him. In this state, it takes courage to say you are, for example, pro life. Sitting around in a bunch of meetings with other politically "experienced" people who agree with everything you say is what happens in Augusta and elsewhere. This groupthink is what has brought our state and country to the brink of ruin. Vote LePage
July 12, 2010 at 9:34 AM Report abuse
mrrogers said...
SO, he can take a lickin and keep on tickin, which thousands of Mainers have had a similar up bringing, but certaintly never brag about it, unless I guess they are running for office. But Mr LePage seems to have forgotten where he came from, when he stands up at public speeches and insults and ridicules his own employee, a young, female single mother he calls a 'poster chaild for welfare" and tells the public her alimony payments, etc? And Mardens buys stuff at pennies, makes millions for the Marden family and pays it's employees less than a living wage, while most have to have susidized housing, ffod stamps, and health benefits, This is not the standard for economic progress in Maine, the Marden's Modle of salavage and surplus, and not the man for Maine's future.
July 12, 2010 at 9:36 AM Report abuse
MeOverTaxed said...
how come Cutler gets a dig in this story?
July 12, 2010 at 9:42 AM Report abuse
mrrogers said...
Jones824 said... Great point, they removed it because this news paper is an Elitist crowd, like Nemitz pretends to be the working man's soul writer, and goes to the cocktail parties to discuss his working clss support. See the KJ see as us only as the peasants who buy thier paper and dleivery it too, but when we change the tone and intent of thier editors they get scared ?
July 12, 2010 at 9:46 AM Report abuse
Helena said...
TiredMainer said...Wow. I thought that the Liberals would like LePages' hard luck story. I thought you were the party of compassion. ---------------- Here's my problem with LePage's story. Two thirds of the info he pushes about himself is about his terrible upbringing, yet he's on board with decimating education funding. Having taught in Maine public schools for quite a while, I can assure you there a plenty of Maine kids right now who have as bad an upbringing as he did (or worse). He is using his story for the pity factor, but wants to cut funds that could potentially help kids now get out of similar situations. This is elitism at its truest: only my suffering matters (if it helps my campiagn), but who cares about abused kids now. If his concern about domestic violence prompted concern for future action rather than as just a campaign tool he might have more credibility. Right now it's just creepy.
July 12, 2010 at 11:04 AM Report abuse
napper said...
After being a product of Maines welfare system i find it mind boggling that LePages comment on getting people off welfare during a republican debate to be "I'm going to give them a bus ticket to Massachusetts.. what educated compassionate person would not only think this but say it out loud??? This buffoon will need his own bus ticket by the time November comes around, especially if this is him real attitude. he totally lost me with that one.
July 12, 2010 at 11:14 AM Report abuse
ThistleDew said...
Vini..(?)..and you can call me whatever you want.., but now that we are "Buds" I cannot say that I have ever been in Psy Ops, but I do understand what you are saying. I cannot say that his beliefs will not have some insignificant impact on his bahavior. I'm just saying that this will not be his focus, and will not have a measurable affect on his governorship. You're Atheist; I'm Agnostic and the next guy is a Baptist... Who cares?! This doesn't mean that we can't work together to improve our status as a "near last in everything that counts" kind of State. You think that he lacks intellectual HP for this job... I think that he's got a PHD in Savvy and street smarts, not to mention his Master's degree; Plenty good enough for me.
July 12, 2010 at 11:35 AM Report abuse
oldgrump said...
Very nice little biography about the rough childhood of Mr. LaPage. However, where does it actually explain ANY reason to vote for this man? Is this an "Evita" story, "He understands you, he's one of you"? My childhood was no bed of roses, does that qualify me to run for governor? Don't tell me you will fix our economy, explain to me HOW you will. Our candidates give us sound bites without actually explaining HOW they plan on doing the job. This is not isolated to Mr. LaPage, but is the MO of every candidate out there.
July 12, 2010 at 11:50 AM Report abuse
ThistleDew said...
napper, you need to take Govt2Big's advice before you throw LePage under the bus. He has no problems with the deserving people on the welfare roles. He does have a problem with welfare fraud and the career, able bodied people who only want a free ride. Welfare was always designed for temporary assistance, not a way of life. He has a plan to help them get back on their own two feet If they don't want his help than I'll be happy to chip in on that bus ticket.
July 12, 2010 at 11:51 AM Report abuse
Sam said...
Still can't get answers to two very real, very pertinent questions about Lepage: 1) Why is he still getting a pass for LYING about "his" achievements with Waterville's budgets when the mayor is forbidden to create or change one line of the budget per the city charter, and 2) What kind of special voodoo financial finagling is Lepage proposing when he proclaims he will institute an enormously expensive program (cutting public school class sizes) but it won't cost any additional money? ANYONE???
July 12, 2010 at 11:55 AM Report abuse
Page5Girl said...
okay, as a fiscal conservative, this guys sob story is getting more and more ridiculous everyday. if i wanted to vote for a nancy boy, i would vote for lepage. grow some, and tell us what you have to offer, enough of this pity me saga. everyone has struggles buddy, doesn't mean you can be governor. we have trash to choose from, what's new.
July 12, 2010 at 12:05 PM Report abuse
Dee said...
Many of us who were born in the 40s had very difficult lives especially for us who had alcoholic fathers. And, many of us have lived successful happy lives. Not all of us hold the very conservative views of Mr. LePage. I cannot support him because his views are way out of line for me.
July 12, 2010 at 12:07 PM Report abuse
Sherman2 said...
Reducing class size is easy! You cut the bussing in half and the kids can't make it to class! Smaller classes w/o cost increase... c'mon you guys it's not that hard!
July 12, 2010 at 12:08 PM Report abuse
Relax said...
"He did errands for men at the social clubs on Lisbon Street". Exactly what does that mean? Did he find them chewing gum or did he find them friendship. Lisbon street is the one that my mother always told me that good men don't belong on. Was my mom wrong all those years ago?
July 12, 2010 at 12:36 PM Report abuse
huckfnn said...
While I certainly have much more research to do before I cast my vote, I feel the hairs on the back of my neck raise when someone uses the " I am just like you" approach to politics. Lepage speaks of his childhood and young adulthood. What I didn't hear was how his life changed with his lucrative career with Marden's or , for that matter, how his being mayor of Waterville was not a conflict of interest, when he manages one of his towns largest businesses. I am not saying there were any wrongdoings I am just asking the question. I did hear him speak of his dislike for the removal of the dam on the Kennebec to help preserve the salmon. I believe he said "everyone knows there are no salmon in the Kennebec. I think I might want a better informed Governor. My mind is NOT made up but I do have questions. I would hope he would give us his honest opinion about his views on Separation of Church and State, teaching creationism ( which breaches that right)... ???
July 12, 2010 at 12:39 PM Report abuse
Sam said...
huckfnn - There is not really much chance for any conflict of interest just because any Waterville mayor runs a business where he governs. Waterville has a full time professional City manager who is the only one empowered to actually run the city or to create and implement the budget. By design, the mayor is what is known as a "weak executive" and is pretty much a figurehead. It is thoroughly spelled out in the Waterville City Charter. By law Lepage had no input into the budget and very little other actual power. His claims about having been a government executive are actually quite laughable.
July 12, 2010 at 1:15 PM Report abuse
Chris said...
Paul LePage seems to be running a very poor campaign so far, meaning the Governor's race is probably Libby Mitchell's to lose at this point.
July 12, 2010 at 1:23 PM Report abuse
Sam said...
The euphemisms Lepage uses in describing how he made money in his youth are actually pretty funny: "did errands for men at the social clubs on Lisbon Street" and "made money shining the shoes of Brunswick Naval Air Station sailors at a strip club." As we all know, what sailors at a strip club are really looking to spend their shore leave money on is shiny shoes, and if you have any recollection at all of the men's "social clubs" on Lisbon Street from back then, well let's just say it is quite likely those were some interesting "errands".
July 12, 2010 at 1:24 PM Report abuse
ThistleDew said...
Sam,..."ANYONE???" here. We have all read this from you many times. You sometimes post it as a statement, other times, a question...and still other times, under a different name. Several people have answered you with lots of evidence that he is indeed deserving of the credit, and you know it too. Prove it to yourself when he's gone and elect a Dem. Mayor. (nuff said) On your second subject; why do you spendaholics have such a hard time with this one? With not a whole lot of effort, a thrifty, fiscally responsible Governor can find a lot of wasted money in today's Dem. run govt. If he trims the fat here, he can spend it there without raising taxes. He's been doing this very effectively in Wtvl for years, but then...You know that too. So, tell us Sam, who is your choice for Gov. and why? I hear a lot of bi***n about LePage, but not one word of admiration for who must be your hero. Cue the crickets..............
July 12, 2010 at 1:25 PM Report abuse
HesterPrynne said...
This story, that I've read a dozen times now, makes me think of a bird who is trying to divert the attention of a preditor by limping along the ground with one wing outstretched, like it's broken. It's all theater. After a while, people get wise to it.
July 12, 2010 at 1:37 PM Report abuse
Sam said...
ThistleDew - Nice diversionary tactics, but still not a single fact in answer to my questions, as usual. One guy tried to misquote the Waterville City Charter the other day but when I put up the actual text of section he was intentionally distorting and a link to the full charter he just "poof" - disappeared. I have never posted under any other name - just plain old Sam. It is possible that others have seen my questions and the complete lack of any factual answers (the many insults amounting to yelling that my mother wears combat boots not withstanding) and they felt compelled to repeat the questions as well.
July 12, 2010 at 1:37 PM Report abuse
HesterPrynne said...
Merrigan said... "The headline in this piece is so condescending. It almost implies dishonesty or that LePage's personal experience doesn't matter." _____ DEFINITION OF TOUTS: To solicit customers, votes, or patronage, especially in a brazen way. ___ __ He is putting his sob story out there in lieu of any actual skills he might have. He's looking for the sympathy vote. By the time this campaign is done, we'll be hearing about how he slept on the street in a cardboard box and yet walked 10 miles to school every day, in winter, with no shoes..and it was uphill both directions.
July 12, 2010 at 1:47 PM Report abuse
HesterPrynne said...
ThistleDew said... "he has a plan to help them get back on their own two feet. If they don't want his help than I'll be happy to chip in on that bus ticket". __ __ ya, he has a plan alright. Just like when Bush boasted he 'reduced the number of people living below the poverty line' making it sound like he brought them up out of poverty. No. He just lowered the 'federal poverty line' to a point where most people who lived under that didn't live long! Smoke and mirrors!
July 12, 2010 at 1:53 PM Report abuse
HesterPrynne said...
Relax said... "He did errands for men at the social clubs on Lisbon Street". Exactly what does that mean? Did he find them chewing gum or did he find them friendship." __ __ or was HE the friendship? What's the traditional understanding of 'hustled on the streets'?
July 12, 2010 at 1:55 PM Report abuse
BillyFiske said...
"for that matter, how his being mayor of Waterville was not a conflict of interest, when he manages one of his towns largest businesses." Any different then being a lawyer for a law firm which does a huge amount of lobbying of the state government? There is Libby's picture on the back of the Augusta Fairpoint telephone directory as a member of Mitchell & Davis.
July 12, 2010 at 1:57 PM Report abuse
ThistleDew said...
Sam, Your choice for Gov and why......??
July 12, 2010 at 1:59 PM Report abuse
BillyFiske said...
" makes me think of a bird who is trying to divert the attention of a preditor by limping along the ground with one wing outstretched, like it's broken. It's all theater. After a while, people get wise to it." Kind of like the tax reform bill.
July 12, 2010 at 1:59 PM Report abuse
HesterPrynne said...
Jones824 said... I would like to know why the KJ REMOVED THE ENTIRE WEB PAGE AND ALL THE COMMENTS FROM SUNDAY JULY 11 ABOUT THE "Really think police work's a game?" __ __ Good grief child, settle down. As it's the KJ's money that provides this comment space, they have the right to delete it when they want to. However, when they do delete a story, it's usually because the comments have become so vile, there is concern about violence or it's just no longer appropriate discussion for anyone. When an entire paper is deleted, it's normally an electronic problem. Take a chill pill.
July 12, 2010 at 2:02 PM Report abuse
ThistleDew said...
HesterP, Bush! When will you Liberals get over Bush?! It is a good diversion though. Your hero is currently running at a 38% approval rating according to ABC Sunday night news. Did Dubya ever attain this level of anti-achievment? BTW, Have you seen this one on the internet?.. A smiling former Pres. Bush with a tag, "MISS ME YET?" Given the choices... Hell yeah!
July 12, 2010 at 2:19 PM Report abuse
null said...
Sam- you really need to learn to read and interpret. The Waterville City charter does not allow the mayor to change the budget in part or in whole. He has to accept it and present it to the council. If the council adopts it, the mayor cannot veto a portion of it, but he can veto it in whole.
July 12, 2010 at 2:19 PM Report abuse
ThistleDew said...
There you go Sam, Null has laid it out for you again. Please don't ask us to believe that all that fiscal responsibility and saving of taxes was the result of an all Dem. city council and a puppet mayor. Nobody, including yourself, would believe it. Give credit where credit is due and vote for LePage for Governor.
July 12, 2010 at 3:16 PM Report abuse
Helena said...
ThistleDew said... HesterP, Bush! When will you Liberals get over Bush?!----------------- Liberals will be over Bush if and when the country recovers from Bush. That means (1) getting out of this war (Bush and his cronies started it by lying about WMDs, remember?), (2) recovering from the crippling recession which began and was nurtured by the Bush administration, (3) reversing the course of the national debt, which skyrocketed during Bush after being reduced during the Clinton years . . . . etc. Forgetting about Bush now is like stopping to take your anitbiotics halfway through the prescription period. Dumb to do - it'll take a miracle for this country to recover from Bush's years in office and certainly couldn't survive any more of that ghastly policy. A good memory of 2000-2008 will hopefully prevent a repeating the same hideous mistake.
July 12, 2010 at 3:26 PM Report abuse
null said...
Helena- My memory of 2000-2008 shows Congress was not run by Bush's party- shouldn't some of the responsibility for our mess be shared?
July 12, 2010 at 3:53 PM Report abuse
wowgardiner said...
I'll be supporting LePage...Keep Shawn Mood out....he has too many secrets!
July 12, 2010 at 4:07 PM Report abuse
anticon said...
wow, awesome, he had a hard life. This is totally irrelevant to what qualifies him for governor, but gosh, doesn't he seem human now? like one of "us", as if that means something? All this article proves is that Paul hired a PR consultant with more acumen at such things than him. From what i've seen, that's drawing from a sizable pool. I had a rough childhood, but i don't pretend that such an experience would make me a good politician..no matter how impressive a story i can whip up, or how much of a "real man" i can convince followers i may or may not be.------And no..Top the partisan-hacked sheep waiting with their clever replies, this does not translate to me being some ardent Mitchell supporter. I can't stand her either, but her being a lousy option doesn't make the gnome you idiots picked a good one.
July 12, 2010 at 4:48 PM Report abuse
Divinity said...
Sam said..."How is Lepage going to reduce class sizes in the public schools without increasing costs? And vague hand waving about non specific, undefined mythical "efficiencies" doesn't count. Exactly how is Lepage expecting to implement a promised VERY COSTLY program without increasing costs?" ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Easy - by funny math. Paul said that he wants to reduce the student:teacher ratio from 13:1 as currently recommended to 20:1. You say increase; he says reduction. And Hester, your description of Paul brings back memories of nesting woodcocks feigning injury when disturbed. This is rife with analogies. Your reference to the alternate definition of "touts" is as good as the horse-racing usage in Gr Britain. Reminding us that LePage is the kind of guy who will "lower the FPL" to reduce the number in poverty is right on target. A brilliant day!
July 12, 2010 at 4:53 PM Report abuse
Relax said...
ThistleDew, I'm not sure about hero's (You seem to be the only one labeling folks here) but from what I've seen today on this story HesterPrynne is just one notch up on Divinity for my normal "tune in for the truth" or a "nice little chuckle" hero for the day. Hester gets it today for his/her continued insight, cleverness and effort. You, well... ho hum time to move on I'v got chicken to grill.
July 12, 2010 at 6:00 PM Report abuse
dG90YWxzbGFt said...
I'm glad sue C. didn't write this article. The Jay doesn't get everything correct. I'm voting for LaPage. He's not a baby killer and supports traditional marriage. Not that so called marriage to something else.
July 12, 2010 at 6:03 PM Report abuse
Divinity said...
Relax said..." from what I've seen today on this story HesterPrynne is just one notch up on Divinity for my normal "tune in for the truth" or a "nice little chuckle" hero for the day. Hester gets it today for his/her continued insight, cleverness and effort." ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I'm with Relax on that!
July 12, 2010 at 6:24 PM Report abuse
ThistleDew said...
titter titter, Relax. You're such a wanka (intentional Maine accent) Divinity, vague, hand waving about non specific, undefined mythical efficiences most definitely WILL count, once proven. Helena & Hester, Let's not escalate this to a Presidential level, tomorrow is another day. ...A simple question to all of you... Your pick for Gov. and why? It's a fair question...ladies?? (just one)...cricket...cricket...cricket.
July 12, 2010 at 10:01 PM Report abuse
Relax said...
ThistleDew, Yummie my grilled chicken was great! You on the other hand have been burned to a crisp today. Yuck! Those crickets you been hearing may be all those who are following your train of thought here. My suggestion to you would be that you should quite while you're behind. But that would be the smart thing to do so...
July 12, 2010 at 10:20 PM Report abuse
ThistleDew said...
...and BTW... Helena did not win the chuckle award. Divinity earned that way back at 7:10 A.M.
July 12, 2010 at 10:28 PM Report abuse
ThistleDew said...
You quite and I'll quit, genius
July 12, 2010 at 10:31 PM Report abuse
Relax said...
ThistleDew, So...the show must go on. How predictable. The reason for your crispiness. What a hoot!
July 12, 2010 at 10:42 PM Report abuse
workingclass said...
Almost everyone I know is voting for this man in the fall. I can't WAIT to see him win. Go LePage!!
July 13, 2010 at 12:06 PM Report abuse
Divinity said...
Knock, knock. Who's there? Poor me. Poor me, who? Pour me another.
July 13, 2010 at 3:14 PM Report abuse
LePageVaVOOM said...
Oldgrump, I'll give credit where credit is due. I disagree with you almost every day but I agree with your post above about the absurdity of buying into this vote for LePage because he had a tough childhood garbage. Talk about the bottom of the barrel, worthless campaign outreaches!
July 13, 2010 at 3:53 PM Report abuse
LePageVaVOOM said...
Let's not forget, LePage is Chandler Woodcock with a French accent.
July 13, 2010 at 3:55 PM Report abuse
JBrady2 said...
Paul on the right, Libby/Cutler on the left, as of right now I am going with Shawn Moody, better story than Lepage if you read it and he is willing to work with both sides, unlike Mr. Lepage who is more prone to ignoring any view that doesnt match his own- bad conflict resolution from my experience
July 14, 2010 at 4:22 PM Report abuse