Why Maine conservatives should support a LePage resignation

After the past six years of embarrassments brought on by our governor- culminating in the absurd circus of the past week- every Mainer should hope that Gov. LePage will decide to resign from office.

Our state has too many pressing problems- most notably the opioid epidemic that is claiming roughly one life per day in 2016- to put up with LePage’s inability to govern any longer.

Maine Gov. Paul LePage. Troy R. Bennett, BDN.

Maine Gov. Paul LePage. Troy R. Bennett, BDN.

These are arguments that liberals in Maine have been making for years, but it appears as though conservatives have finally reached their breaking point following LePage’s attack on State Rep. Drew Gattine and his ensuing remarks about how minorities in Maine are “the enemy”.

Thing is, what most Mainers don’t seem to realize- particularly those stubborn and blind enough to continue supporting LePage’s claim to the Blaine House- is that a LePage resignation would undoubtedly be a boost to the Republican agenda in Augusta.

That’s because if the governor steps down, he’ll be replaced by Senate President Mike Thibodeau, a Republican who’s every bit as conservative as LePage, but, unlike LePage, has the competence to lead the state and uphold the dignity of the position.

So in a weird way, it might be better for the Democrat’s agenda for LePage to stay on as governor, because with him in office he renders the Maine GOP ineffective and nearly useless.

You won’t see any Democrats in Augusta opposing a LePage resignation, though, because it’s understood that this is more about protecting our state’s pride and reputation than it is about worrying over petty political differences between parties.

With a LePage resignation- regardless of how it will affect policy making in Augusta moving forward- a message will be sent to Mainers who are angry with the governor for embarrassing us once again, and also to those across the country and the world who have followed the story of the racist, lunatic governor from Maine.

A rally to impeach Gov. LePage in Augusta in June of 2015. Photo- Troy R. Bennett, BDN.

A rally to impeach Gov. LePage in Augusta in June of 2015. Photo- Troy R. Bennett, BDN.

The message would be clear- that the state of Maine will not stand for LePage’s brand of bigoted bombast. We will not stand for his disgusting, racist rhetoric. We will not stand for his promotions of violence. We will not stand for hate and ignorance any longer.

A resignation would also be beneficial for the legacy of LePage. It would allow us to examine his governorship with hindsight, and, perhaps, even to take pity on the man who grew up in horrific conditions and now appears to be crumbling beneath the weight of the position that he’s in as demons from his past seem to be overcoming his ability to function rationally.

If he stays on though, one can only imagine the type of psychotic behavior we’ll see in the next two years, but it’d be a safe bet that this past week won’t even be the worst of it.

Photo- Troy R. Bennett, BDN.

Photo- Troy R. Bennett, BDN.

For the betterment of every Mainer- including LePage himself- let’s hope the guv can find it within himself to admit his wrongdoings, resign from office, and get the help that he clearly needs.

He owes that to the people of Maine, his family, and himself.

Chris Shorr

About Chris Shorr

Chris is a sixth generation Portlander who loves all things Maine. He has worked with mentally ill and marginalized adults at a Portland non-profit, on a lobster boat in Casco Bay, at several high-end Portland restaurants, and at a local meat packing plant. He also ran for Portland City Council in 2013, wrote a weekly column in the now defunct Portland Daily Sun, and currently writes a weekly column in The Portland Phoenix.