AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Republican Gov. Paul LePage said Wednesday he intends to seek "spiritual guidance" in hopes of quieting a controversy he created when he left an obscene message on a Democratic lawmaker's voicemail and then said he wished he could challenge him to a duel and point a gun at him.
As top Democrats continued their calls for LePage's resignation, a fissure has emerged between House and Senate Republicans over whether the self-described straight talker is taking enough responsibility for his remarks and whether legislative action should be ruled out.
The governor has also gotten an earful from top Republicans across the country, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. "He said, 'What the hell are you doing?'" LePage told WLOB talk radio on Wednesday. LePage said he's had "long chats" with Christie and Florida GOP Gov. Rick Scott.
LePage apologized to the Democratic lawmaker, state Rep. Drew Gattine, and later blamed the media for fueling the fight. He also denied claims by some legislators that his seemingly erratic behavior was caused by addiction or mental health issues.
"I'm not an alcoholic. I'm not a drug addict. I don't have mental issues," LePage told reporters. "What I have is a backbone, and I want to move Maine forward."
LePage, a second-term governor, said he doesn't intend to talk to the media anymore, a claim he has made before.
In recent days, legislators have called for LePage to step down or get professional help after his remarks to Gattine and comments he made blaming blacks and Hispanics for Maine's heroin epidemic. LePage, who's Roman Catholic, responded Wednesday by saying he wouldn't resign and instead intended to seek "spiritual guidance." He did not elaborate on what that involved.
Ken Fredette, the Republican leader of the Maine House, said LePage is accepting responsibility for his actions, and he urged lawmakers to focus on November elections. Republican Senate President Mike Thibodeau said he had asked LePage to seek professional counseling and added "any one of us" would be unemployed after leaving such a voicemail.
Last week, the governor left a foul-mouthed voicemail message for Gattine that said in part, "I am after you," and then he told reporters he wished he could go back in time and challenge Gattine to a duel and point a gun "right between his eyes." LePage said he was angry because Gattine called him a racist, something Gattine denied.