Paul LePage
The competition for most evil governor elected in 2010 is stiff. The competition for most childish, buffoonish one has not been in doubt at least since Maine Gov. Paul LePage ordered the
labor history mural removed from his state's Department of Labor. Every few months he reemerges to cement his standing—and apparently enough time has passed since LePage was revealed to have
registered to vote using a law he subsequently killed for him to think he needs to poke his head up for long enough to do something else stupid.
Democratic State Rep. Andrew O'Brien wanted LePage to pay attention to Maine's unemployed people. LePage refused to meet with O'Brien. Then O'Brien sent a letter suggesting LePage do events at career centers around the state. LePage, unsurprisingly, did not take him up on the suggestion. Next, LePage's staff refused to let O'Brien do events at career centers. But the governor and O'Brien finally met, at LePage's instigation, and LePage's office put out a press release "that indicated both the governor and O’Brien were frustrated over the miscommunication about O’Brien’s letter but both were willing to put the matter to rest."
Asked by a reporter about the meeting and O'Brien's efforts on unemployment, LePage answered:
“It’s all a big play and I think it’s bullshit,” the governor said, pausing for a minute then adding slowly, “Bull …. shit.”
So much for putting it to rest. And so much for LePage's staff's efforts to get their governor to behave like an adult, let alone a professional.