AUGUSTA — In a new campaign video, Republican Gov. Paul LePage attacks his Democratic rival, U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, while clarifying and defending his position on Social Security and Medicare.

Democrats recently challenged LePage for lumping the federal programs, that largely serve elderly Mainers, in with other public benefit programs that LePage considers “welfare.”

In a news release issued by LePage’s office in June, he defined what the federal government considers “transfer receipts” as it calculates personal income in the economy and accurately included Social Security and Medicaid. Later in the same release, a direct quote from LePage read, “It doesn’t matter what liberals call these payments, it is welfare, pure and simple.”

Democrats and others criticized LePage for including Social Security and Medicare in the mix because the programs are supported by workers’ payments into the system. LePage said he didn’t consider the programs welfare and that his statement was taken out of context.

“I do not believe that Social Security is anything but a promise that we must keep,” LePage said in the new video. “That’s why I will always preserve and protect the Social Security system.”

LePage attacks Michaud, who is running against LePage for the governor’s office, saying during Michaud’s time in the state Legislature he supported bills that would have allowed a state income tax on Social Security benefits.

The 94-second video message also includes a brief shout-out to U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, who vetoed the Social Security income tax bill during his tenure as Maine governor.

LePage also charges Michaud with “knowingly and deliberately falsifying information to get your vote.” LePage says Michaud voted to cut Medicare by $760 billion to fund the federal Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Michaud’s campaign staff offered a quick reaction to the video from LePage.

“It’s politics as usual from Gov. LePage,” said Michaud’s campaign spokeswoman, Lizzy Reinholt. “He’s trying to distract voters from his out-of-touch belief that Social Security and Medicare are welfare by pushing outdated and misleading attacks against Congressman Michaud who has fought time and time again against extreme proposals that would gut and privatize Social Security and hurt Maine seniors.”

Reinholt said the video shows how desperate the Republican Governor’s Association, which had staff in Maine on Wednesday, is to help LePage win re-election. The association is widely expected to lend its financial support to LePage’s campaign.

LePage’s campaign also has issued an automated phone message featuring the governor explaining his position on Social Security and Medicare. 

sthistle@sunjournal.com

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