Paul LePage, the outspoken Republican governor of Maine, recently told lawmakers at a fundraiser that President Barack Obama "hates white people," according to the Portland Press Herald.
LePage is said to have made the remarks at a Maine Republican Party meet-and-greet fundraiser aimed at introducing new party chairman Rick Bennett. Two lawmakers informed the Portland Press Herald about the statement under the guarantee of anonymity out of fears of political reprisals.
LePage was discussing how President Obama had the opportunity to be one of the greatest presidents of all time if he used his biracial heritage as a way to unite people and said that he has failed to do so because of his hatred of white people, according to the Portland Press Herald.
"Yeah, he said it," one of the lawmakers told the paper. "It was one little thing from a speech, but I think most people there thought it was totally inappropriate."
Bennett confirmed that LePage was discussing the president and race but denied that he said that President Obama hates white people, according to the Bangor Daily News.
"[Gov. LePage} said President Obama had an opportunity to unify the country on race, but didn't do anything," Bennett told the Bangor Daily News. "I've never heard him say anything racist."
A native Jamaican man named Devon Raymond lived with the LePage family and is considered by the governor to be his adopted son, a point cited by Brent Littlefield, LePage's political advisor, while denying the allegations, according to the Bangor Daily News.
"It seems farfetched for anyone, even a newspaper, to make an insinuation the Governor is racist given his life history," Littlefield said in a statement. "He and his family made a choice and sacrifice when they offered Devon the opportunity to join their family many years ago. Paul and Ann call him their son."
Mark Brewer, a political scientist at the University of Maine, told the Portland Press Herald that if LePage really did say that President Obama hates white people many people will probably just brush it off as the controversial governor mouthing off once again.
"It's a ludicrous comment," Brewer said. "But does it hurt him? Given that it's Paul LePage, I don't necessarily think so. There will be a big uproar from some, but the general reaction will be, 'There he goes again.'"
This was not the first time that LePage has found himself in hot water because of comments he made about the president. While campaigning for governor he said in a forum that once he is in office people will see him on the front page of newspapers with the headline 'Governor LePage Tells Obama to go to Hell,' according to the Portland Press Herald.
