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LePage cancels debate appearance at Bates

Lewiston-Auburn |
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 5:05 pm

LEWISTON — Republican gubernatorial candidate Paul LePage has withdrawn from Thursday's Maine Public Broadcasting Network Your Vote 2010 debate scheduled at Bates College.

According to a press release issued by MPBN, LePage campaign spokesman Brent Littlefield notified the station at 4 p.m. Wednesday that LePage had decided instead to "meet with voters" as part of his "People Before Politics" initiative.

MPBN News Director Keith Shortall said he was disappointed that LePage had withdrawn from the debate, but that MPBN would go ahead with the live broadcast at the Olin Arts Center with the remaining four candidates.

The debate is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast statewide on MPBN's television and radio services.

LePage also has declined to participate in debates hosted by the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the Maine Municipal Association, the Island Institute in Rockland, the Times Record & Coastal Journal in Bath, the University of Maine at Machias, the Disability Rights Forum in Augusta and the GrowSmart forum in Bangor.

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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

northwoods's picture

The reason he cancelled on

By northwoods, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 21:18

The reason he cancelled on the debate is because he is packing so he can move into the Blaine house right after he wins. That way he can start fixing the state right of way.

jakbird's picture

Sad Conundrum

By jakbird, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 18:51

So sad that we are all in a position to vote AGAINST rather tha FOR someone.... Can't we do better?

jakbird's picture

Hmmmm

By jakbird, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 18:46

Classy and intelligent response. The man is a disgrace.

jakbird's picture

Paul LePage

By jakbird, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 18:40

Seriously, how can anyone justify voting for this man when he doesn't have the guts to stand and debate his opponents? Is this leadship? Is this what Maine needs? How can he effect change if he is unwilling to face a challenge?

Be afraid Mainers.... Be very, very afraid.

angelsx34eva's picture

From one Angel to Another...

By angelsx34eva, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 17:51

Angel....have you been following the news?....Other states are already laughing at us....

angelsx34eva's picture

Why Go To Bates...

By angelsx34eva, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 17:35

When there is a great debate going on right here...from the people....who will be doing the voting...

Pirate's picture
verified

Why would LePage throw

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 16:03

Why would LePage throw himself into that love fest of liberalism? I don't see oBAMa going on the O'Reilly Show, do you?

mainebob's picture

Obama

By mainebob, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 22:01

has too much class for that show

Brian_L's picture

LePage pulling out of the

By Brian_L, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 16:41

LePage pulling out of the debate shows he is a partisan who is not will to answer questions from or listen to people who may have a different point of view. Only listening or talking to people who agree with you is no way to get votes or govern. That is no way to run a state and will not get anything done.

Angel's picture

He doesn't show up because he

By Angel, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 15:51

He doesn't show up because he can't control his anger..or his mouth. It is THAT simple.
He will be a DISGRACE to this state if elected. How long do you think it would take him to tick off everyone in the Maine government...Rep., Dem. & Ind. ?? My guess is about 1 week and he would have a mutiney on his hands. Every state would be laughing at us for electing such a blowhard big mouth. Anyone BUT LaPage....

Pirate's picture
verified

Hey, Jesse Ventura pulled it

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 16:33

Hey, Jesse Ventura pulled it off.

Ares's picture

What is it that keeps Mr. LaPage away

By Ares, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 14:53

Top 10 possibilities that keep Mr. LaPage away from so many debates

10. Not as versed as other candidates with the task at hand and doesn't want to appear to be uninformed and ignorant to the state of the State.

9. Has nothing constructive to say

8. Has no concrete ideas for fixing what's broken and enhancing what's working in State government.

7. Views himself as above the process and above the average Maine resident.

6. It's below his pay grade to answer show up for a job interview.

5. It's too uncomfortable having to tell the truth so often.

4. Bates and MPBN are to Mr. Lepage as the Lakota and Cheyenne warriors were to Custer and the 7th Calvary.

3. Too busy making a deal for water damaged coolers and kitchen utensils from South Carolina.

2. Is working the late shift at the Lewiston Marden's location restocking shelves and checking the dates on the canned goods.

1. Are you kidding, miss 30 Rock and The Office, no way.

Just a bit of humor. It would be nice if Mr. LaPage would show up to some of these debates. I would like to be able to know more about what he thinks than just the rhetoric that is contained in his campaign commercials. I am still undecided and want to learn more about all the candidates and these debates help.

Personally I wish Barbar Merrill would have made another go at it and it would have been nice to see Rosa Scarcelli on the ballot.

Pirate's picture
verified

You forgot #11, Ares: He

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 16:30

You forgot #11, Ares: He won't get 20 votes in that den of liberalism. Why bother wasting his time? He's smart enough to see that.

mainebob's picture

debates

By mainebob, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 11:10

the purpose of a debate is to let people know where someones stands on issues ... this is not new. a true politician would welcome these events to display his or her knowledge of topics that are important to the people of Maine- and it gives people a chance to understand what the candidate stands for. ....if Lepage is avoiding these debates I see him as maybe he is too much of an extremist and not in the best interest for most Mainers . Maybe Libby Mitchell did or didn't make all the debates but I don't think she's hiding anything like LePage is...

Ben Dare's picture

To those who castigate LePage

By Ben Dare, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 09:50

To those who castigate LePage for not showing, I only hope your disgust was equally as vile when Libby made last minute cancellations of public debates on the economy and business...at least 3 times by my count....I see almost 30 appearances at these forums by the candidates...how many is too many? Do we really need every left wing organization having a debate so a candidate can look bad when he pulls out or declines instead of being ambushed by a hidden agenda? Come on folks, wake up, it happens to all candidates and rarely at this level does someone host a debate without having a hidden agenda.

Brian_L's picture

"Do we really need every left

By Brian_L, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 16:39

"Do we really need every left wing organization having a debate so a candidate can look bad when he pulls out or declines instead of being ambushed by a hidden agenda?" Again remember my earlier post about his paranoid followers?
LePage pulling out of the debate shows he is a partisan who is not will to answer questions from or listen to people who may have a different point of view. Only listening or talking to people who agree with you is no way to get votes or govern. That is no way to run a state and will not get anything done.

Ben Dare's picture

Brian, earlier Libby pulled

By Ben Dare, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 19:14

Brian, earlier Libby pulled out of 3 debate sponsored by suniess and economic activity groups, so i hope you'll only be equally as upset with her as with LePage....lets face it, they all do what they think will get them elected and avoid what could hurt them...(most of the time).

mainebob's picture

I bet employees

By mainebob, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 09:09

I'm sure employees at Mardens make very little.

Pirate's picture
verified

Maybe, but they have jobs,

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 16:26

Maybe, but they have jobs, don't they? How many jobs have Mitchell and Cutler created?

Ben Dare's picture

As I'm sure you go home every

By Ben Dare, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 09:53

As I'm sure you go home every day and tell your famiyl how you're overpaid and someone should pay you less...oh wait, lemme guess....disability?

mainebob's picture

i'm sure

By mainebob, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 11:16

i'm sure the $5.00 taken out of your taxes a year for the needy is really burning a hole in your pocket.

Ben Dare's picture

I can assure you its more

By Ben Dare, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 13:46

I can assure you its more than $5.00, heck United Way gets a $10 weekly donation from me alone...but then again, that ones voluntary.

roadwolfwalker's picture

lapage has way to much anger

By roadwolfwalker, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 08:59

we in maine needs to get more companies to move here and help maine we need more good paying jobs so people dont have depend on welfare as lepage said about one of his workers is a poster child for welfare and she couldnt take a 50 cent raise what she what trying to tell you she doesent make shit now and a little more shit wont help and you think its funny she cant take a 50 cent raise from you because she wont be able to get welfare still I feel ashame that a big shot like you 50cent times 40 =20 dollars wow weee I firmly believe if a worker working 40 hours aweek they shoundnt need assistance if THE WOMEN IS AS GOOD A WORKER THAT YOU SAID SHE IS WHY NOT PAY HER BETTER INSTEAD OF LAUGHING AT THE TAX PAYER FOR MAKEING UP THE DIFFERNCE

mainebob's picture

debate

By mainebob, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 08:02

well the reason why he decided not to debate is that people would see who he really is. Someone who cannot lead. Bates would be too. intimidating for him . All those smart people with smart questions. I said it before and I'll say it again ----he does not have what it takes to be governor.

Pirate's picture
verified

Who does: Libby?

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 16:22

Who does: Libby?

BobStone's picture
verified

Just Another "Dumb Frenchman", Right "MaineBob"?

By Bob Stone, verified user — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 08:15

Couldn't handle himself in front of all of those "smart people" and "balanced media types."

Paul, the dumb frenchman with a Masters in Business Administration followed up by dozens of years of successful business experience, has more smarts than you'd give him credit for. A fact dismissed by the liberal elite who salivate at their stereotype of the typical Maine Franco.

Paul is smarter than you give him credit for. He knows there are no votes in that den of liberalism and he knows that "this ain't bean bag" so he'll go where the votes are. As Paul is quoted this morning in the New York Times..."I'm not running for pope..."

He's doing fine. He'll be a great Governor.

Pirate's picture
verified

Well stated, Mr. Stone.

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 16:24

Well stated, Mr. Stone.

Brian_L's picture

Don't remembering anyone here

By Brian_L, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 14:42

Don't remembering anyone here calling him a "Dumb Frenchman." I would say he is more "Crazy Republican."

mainebob's picture

i wouldn't say

By mainebob, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 08:41

I wouldn't say he was dumb. He's just not smart . You need to be well rounded .... having a 'buisness' mind is not enough. I think French Canadians are great and if I were French Canadian I would be very proud of it . Going into a debate with limited experience would be very intimidating. I would be scared too....

Ben Dare's picture

How the heck can you say well

By Ben Dare, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 09:52

How the heck can you say well rounded with a straight face..Libby mitchell has done nothing but be at the state house for 30 years and has nothing of accomplishment to brag about....gee talk about the opposite of well rounded, she hasn't got a clue...wake up!

K0NPHL1C7's picture

Jeebus-effing-cripes people.

By K0NPHL1C7, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 07:13

Jeebus-effing-cripes people. He was just at a friggin debate LAST NIGHT. Give the guy a break for eff sakes. How many times do you need to see these fools beat a dead horse? He obviously see's how gawddamn redundant these debates are and would rather not waste OUR time.

I mean honestly, the candidates who SHOULD be criticized are the ones who will take that podium and say the same effing thing 8 times.. Their rehearsed answered protected by ambiguity and indecisiveness. At least he realizes actually MEETING folks is an important step for a candidate.

Also- I’ve yet to see a “breaking news” headline about any other candidate canceling an event, which each one of them are guilty of. The S-J smear campaign continues…

Pirate's picture
verified

And I was called out for

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 16:19

And I was called out for using the ebonic term "fook" in quoting another poster? Are you listening, Patty?

Brian_L's picture

Quote: "The S-J smear

By Brian_L, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 14:36

Quote: "The S-J smear campaign continues…"
Remember what I said earlier about his paranoid followers.

gdls1's picture

KONPHL1C7, Are you unable to

By gdls1, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 08:07

KONPHL1C7,
Are you unable to post a comment that is not riddled with poorly veiled vulgarities? Buy yourself a thesaurus.

Pirate's picture
verified

See my 4:19, gdls. Where's

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 16:21

See my 4:19, gdls. Where's the thought Police when you need them?

K0NPHL1C7's picture

Are you unable to rebut the

By K0NPHL1C7, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 10:59

Are you unable to rebut the statement I made without referencing my nomenclature? Are my pseudo-swears that much of a distraction too you that you cannot come up with a logical counter argument? Does my impassioned self-expression offend you so deeply that you feel the need waste moments of your valuable time commenting on my chosen words rather than the content of my post?

Give me an effing break.

dlaurels's picture
verified

Hiding again

By Doreen Sheive, verified user — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 04:24

This seems to be the national behavior of Republican politicians this year. Do not attend any public events or debates because you might say something wrong. I wondered how long LePage could go without saying something awful. I guess this is his solution -- hide. He is ahead, so he feels if he can just be quiet, it will be okay.

Pirate's picture
verified

Any voter who doesn't know

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 16:16

Any voter who doesn't know who they're voting for by now, shouldn't be allowed to vote. The differences in the three leading candidates are pretty glaring. If you can't already choose from one of those three, stay home.

concerned KD's picture

Its more like the dems have

By concerned KD, unverified — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 13:42

Its more like the dems have done all the damage to themselves thus far. They dont need the republicans help to make themselves look bad. They do a bang up job on thier own... Look at the mess they have created of this state and of the country. And they did it with out the help of the republicans.. The best ally to a republican getting elected is an incumbent democrat....

Jo's picture

I was just thinking about this today...

By Jo, unverified — Wed, 10/27/2010 - 23:03

There are waaaaaay too many debates. It must be difficult to choose; just read the last paragraph in the article...those are JUST 7 (now 8) which he has declined to participate in.

Why every Tom, Dick and Harry think they need to host a debate lately is beyond me.

Ugh's picture

Oh what a surprise, he

By Ugh, unverified — Wed, 10/27/2010 - 21:52

Oh what a surprise, he cancels another debate. He can't keep up with the others in the debates anyway. He's better off if he doesn't participate in any debates, the R's will vote for him anyway.

Jo's picture

Actually

By Jo, unverified — Wed, 10/27/2010 - 23:07

I know A LOT of D's who are voting for him. Folks are sick of the status quo Augusta flub ups. Aren't you?

Brian_L's picture

He must be scared of real

By Brian_L, unverified — Wed, 10/27/2010 - 21:40

He must be scared of real hard hitting questions about the issues. Although he hasn't looked comfortable in any of the debates. He's definitely not a good public speaker.

Pirate's picture
verified

I agree, Brian. He just

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Thu, 10/28/2010 - 16:07

I agree, Brian. He just doesn't come across as a polished individual, which hey, he probably isn't. That doesn't make him bad; just rough around the edges. But hey, Jesse Ventura was a governor and Al Franken is a senator. Plenty of room in that bag for LePage if you ask me.

Brian_L's picture

Or maybe he is doing it so

By Brian_L, unverified — Wed, 10/27/2010 - 21:48

Or maybe he is doing it so when people question why he's not attending Lepage and his followers can say the so call "Liberal media" is attacking them, paranoid as they are.

gdls1's picture

He's pulled out of eight

By gdls1, unverified — Wed, 10/27/2010 - 19:12

He's pulled out of eight debates. Hmmm.

rdarluv's picture
verified

and the LSJ is insinuating

By Mark Elliott, verified user — Wed, 10/27/2010 - 20:07

and the LSJ is insinuating that the rest of them have attended ALL of the debates?? Newsflash!! They have ALL canceled appointments!!

AF_Vet's picture
verified

Not Insinuating

By Ron Dexter, verified user — Wed, 10/27/2010 - 20:55

They aren't insinuating anything, just stating the news that he has cancelled his appearance that he had already agreed to attend.

Sounds like the typical playbook going around with other Tea Party candidates!

citygirl's picture

Well if he isnt going to be

By citygirl, unverified — Wed, 10/27/2010 - 18:57

Well if he isnt going to be there then there is nothing worth listening to except dried up old fibby, which has nothing to say that makes any sense. God knows the other two "dependants" are tools anyway.

sandra2's picture

Good for him. A debate at

By sandra2, unverified — Wed, 10/27/2010 - 18:51

Good for him. A debate at Bates without Jenkins isn't serious anyways.

yeah right's picture

he doesn't ...

By yeah right, unverified — Wed, 10/27/2010 - 18:47

want anyone knowing the REAL person. bs.

gdls1's picture

Smart move by Lepage. It's

By gdls1, unverified — Wed, 10/27/2010 - 18:36

Smart move by Lepage. It's doubtful he would shine in a debate.

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