Westbrook, MAINE -- On the same day that the LePage Administration refused to submit a plan to the federal government to expand Medicaid, Maine’s Republican gubernatorial candidates took to the debate stage last to not only defend, but double-down on the governor’s senseless opposition. Maine Democratic Party Chairman Phil Bartlett issued the following statement in response:
“The Republicans’ continued opposition to Medicaid expansion not only shows how deeply out-of-touch they are with the will of Maine voters, but it also proves, once again, just how far they’re willing to go to cater to and defend Governor LePage - even when it means Maine people will suffer.
“But their opposition exposes a deeper problem for Republicans: they simply can’t risk breaking with the governor, and as a result, they run further and further to the right. We saw it last night when the candidates fell all over themselves trying desperately to avoid criticizing LePage. Not one of them could offer even a small policy disagreement with him -- and that says a lot about the direction they want to take Maine.”
During last night’s Republican debate hosted by CBS 13, Fox 23, and the Bangor Daily News, each Republican candidate restated their opposition to expanding Medicaid, despite Maine voters overwhelmingly approving it at the ballot box last year. While Republican House Leader Ken Fredette admitted that Medicaid expansion was law, he mimicked the governor’s usual obstruction lines about funding while Mary Mayhew pulled even harder to the right by calling for the law’s all-out repeal. To see video of the Republicans’ response, click HERE.
Meanwhile, each candidate in the debate was also asked to state a difference they had with Governor Paul LePage and each of them had nothing of substance to offer. Shawn Moody, notably, embarrassed himself by walking around in confusing rhetorical circles to avoid answering the question while Mary Mayhew made no attempt whatsoever to even address it. To see video of the Republicans’ response, click HERE.
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