Lawmaker says tirade shows Maine governor needs 'professional help'

The Maine lawmaker who received an expletive-laced voicemail from Gov. Paul LePage said Monday the Republican isn't fit to hold the office and "probably needs to get some sort of professional help."

Rep. Drew Gattine told CNN that LePage has declined to apologize for the incident. The governor has insisted he will not step down, as some have called for him to do.

LePage called Gattine on Thursday morning after a television report insinuated that Gattine, a Democrat, had accused LePage of being a racist because of remarks the governor had made the prior evening.

"Mr. Gattine, this is Gov. Paul Richard LePage," a recording of the governor's phone message says. "I would like to talk to you about your comments about my being a racist, you [expletive]. I want to talk to you. I want you to prove that I'm a racist."

"I've spent my life helping black people and you little son-of-a-b****, socialist [expletive]. You ... I need you to, just friggin. I want you to record this and make it public because I am after you. Thank you," LePage said.

Gattine did make the message public, and he denied having called LePage racist, clarifying that he had accused the governor of using "racially charged" language.

See photos of Gov. Paul LePage

"Again, this governor likes to throw stones. I try not to throw stones back," Gattine said Monday. "You know, I was being very careful in terms of what I said."

A Republican state senator said Sunday that lawmakers are considering censuring LePage, a symbolic maneuver, but striking nonetheless for it to be considered by members of LePage's own party.

"I share your deep concerns regarding the governor's behavior," Sen. Amy Volk wrote on her Facebook page Sunday. "What I do not know is whether it is due to substance abuse, mental illness or just ignorance ... things definitely appear to be out of control. ... Some sort of censure would seem appropriate and I would welcome the ability to go on the record with a vote."